Ntoroko District

401 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 JULY 2026 The President authorised us to open up four centres. We have so far opened one in Arua. Arua is the area that oversees West Nile. We have also opened one in Kasenyi across Ntoroko, Lake Albert. We have also deployed experts in Bunia and Rwampara, which is in the centre of Ituri. We have sent over 50 specialist health workers in Uganda to support our counterparts in Congo. We also agreed on joint surveillance, joint monitoring, and sharing information. We have established a laboratory in Arua and Bwera in Kasese. Some of the samples from Congo are brought to our laboratories, one at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and another in Wandegeya. We have joint collaborative activities. Although we now register zero cases in Uganda, the collaborative interventions continue and we shall work with Congo until we register the last case.

406 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [Mr Rugumayo] markets are closed, the cross-border trade is halted and yet it forms the backbone of the livelihoods of our people; we remain deeply appreciative of the actions of the Government. It is at this point, Mr Speaker, that I would like to request and pray that the Government, if they can find empathy, provide subsistence support to some of my communities in Ntoroko. Mr Speaker, we have six sub-counties in Ntoroko whose communities do not indulge in any crop farming. They depend only on cattle keeping, which they trade with Congo. Now, with markets closed and no trade going on, we are facing a disaster as a community. I would also like to ask, through you, Mr Speaker, that the office of the Prime Minister sit with the leaders of Ntoroko, and we share and see how we can manage this so that we do not have a disaster of our people dying of hunger. Thank you very much. May God bless you.

Thank you. Let us have the Member for Ntoroko and then Hon. Kirumira. Now, honourable colleagues, I can see that many of you are really anxious. I don’t have 10 microphones so that I can pick you at once. It is like a lottery. So, kindly, bear with me.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the Attorney-General for the statement, but I would like to ask the Minister of Local Government a question. We have had a long-standing border dispute between Kabarole District and Ntoroko District. This border dispute involves a parish called Nyamisingiri, which has got five villages. Mr Speaker, we have visited the Ministry of Local Government and met with the officials. It has been more than 15 years, but this dispute has not been resolved. Recently, when we were in the Ministry of Local Government, they promised to take quick action so that that matter could be resolved, especially during this time of elections of the local councils. So, honourable Minister of Local Government, I would like to inquire: how far have you gone with that dispute over Nyamisingiri at the Kabarole-Ntoroko border? The people of

300 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [Mr Kafuuzi] On the issue of the border dispute between Ntoroko and Kabarole districts in Nyamisigiri Parish, yes, there might be a border dispute, but the parish is known, and the villages are known. Both elections in the village and the parish shall take place. Meanwhile, the local government will go ahead to determine where the parish falls; whether it is Kabarole or Ntoroko. How are we prepared security-wise to manage the election? Earlier, when I read, I spoke about orderlies. We shall have security officers to manage the exercise. We have even set aside a budget for them. They will be paid for that day. On the issue of public figures intimidating individuals or people, that is criminal. It is not allowed. We are in a multi-party dispensation. We are holding the elections under a multi- party dispensation. When I was reading the statement, I stated that you can stand behind your symbol and people line. At least all the parties will be represented. On the matter of one with many wives; whether you have many wives or not, these are adults who make their own decisions. The question is ordinary residence. I live in Nabbingo, Bataka Village. I might have another wife -

Thank you. Member for Ntoroko, the honourable colleague in a blue suit, Hon. Acon and then Hon. Kasukaali.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for the statement on climate change. Climate change has not just started, it has been on for quite a long time. Climate changes have affected Ntoroko District so badly and created permanent damage in Ntoroko District. As we talk, it has been five years since Ntoroko got flooded. The floods displaced Kanara Subcounty and for five years, people have been living in internally displaced camps. Mr Speaker, the Government promised to buy them land so that they can be resettled but up to now, we are still waiting. I also want to bring it to the attention of this august House that Ntoroko should be given special treatment. We are under partial lockdown because of Ebola. The border and the local markets were closed. Coupled with the long spell of drought, people are living in very bad conditions. There is no income at the moment. People lack food and there is a lot of hunger. Therefore, I call upon the Government to support Ntoroko people, especially with food supply as we look for better solutions to the problems that I have stated. I thank you so much.

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, as you have heard about Bududa, if something is not done for the situation in Ntoroko, the district might be submerged in the next 10 years. They have already lost nearly 10 per cent of the land. I know someone who had many square miles of farmland. Now they have just one. Even Hon. Rugumayo, our colleague here, had their land totally submerged because they are in a valley. All the water that comes from up - Once it rains for five to 10 years, you will feel the impact. Hon. Mujungu, I have been working with your colleagues from Ntoroko. I know the Prime Minister’s Office has done a good job; they identified a certain piece of land. I am sorry, as the Speaker, I am not the one supposed to be doing this. Since I have been working with colleagues who come to me seeking intervention, I should give this information. The issue was that for the first land they identified, the Government Chief Valuer had given it very low rates whereby the people who were supposed to sell it refused. The Prime Minister has written to the Government Chief Valuer to again study the matter and come up with – The land has already been identified, and the money is available. We have been working with your colleagues and we are going to continue working with you to see how to help the Ntoroko people. So, you can see how we do our work beyond the Table here, honourable colleagues. Yes, I had picked the other honourable colleague.

17 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 15 MAY 2026 151. Ssentayi Muhamad Bukoto County West Lwengo NRM 152. Rugumayo Edison Ntoroko County Ntoroko NRM 153. Senteza Richard Lugazi Municipality Buikwe Independent 154. Wakooli Godfrey Matembu Butiru County Manafwa NRM 155. Suubi Kyinyamatama Juliet Woman Representative Rakai NRM 156. Wabusani Steven Makwa Bushigai County Bududa NRM 157. Wamakuyu Ignatius Mudimi Elgon County Bulambuli Independent 158. Wanyama Richard Samia Bugwe Central County Busia NRM 159. Wanyoto Lydia Mutende Woman Representative Mbale City NRM 160. Zaake Francis Mityana Municipality Mityana NUP 161. Wokuri Geofrey Bungokho County South Mbale NRM 162. Wakabi Pius Bugahya County Hoima NRM 163. Tumwesigye Elioda Sheema County North Sheema NRM 164. Sserunjogi Hassan Mukiibi Bukomansimbi South County Bukomansimbi Independent 165. Wekomba Sarah Nambozo Woman Representative Bulambuli NRM 166. Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa Nansana Municipality Wakiso NUP 167. Uhuru Nelson Maracha County Maracha NRM 168. Wembabazi Beatrice Woman Representative Hoima NRM 169. Zawedde Victorious Woman Representative Nakasongola NRM The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem (The House rose at 4.15 p.m. and adjourned until Friday, 15 May 2026, at 8.00 a.m.)

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

We appeal to Hon. Musasizi that we knew, not the one now - (Interjection)- Madam Speaker, the record should hold that Hon. Musasizi was one of the people against the increment in stamp duty when he was the chairperson of this committee. We commend him for everything that he did with excellence. There is no doubt about that. Hon. Musasizi, I want to see the version of you representing the people of Rubanda who actually want their land titled, having spoken here very vocally that they have been burdened by the land committees - kitu kidogo is too much and that they are worried about the new Building Control Act, which threatens to have their houses erased. Now, you have come with a stamp duty of 3 per cent! Even my colleague from Ntoroko, on this one, I think you will agree that we drop it.

Even when applying medicine, go slow. You do not issue all medication at once. Even my brother from Ntoroko will support me on this.

18643 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 Ntoroko, we do not have any State Attorneys. You have to travel to Bundibugyo and when you get there, they will tell you that we do not have staff, so you must come to Bundibugyo. Another issue is about the offices. I thank the committee for recommending Shs 8 billion for the new stations, especially for the Resident State Attorneys. It is so disturbing that we have elderly and poor people who have to travel because they are saying that 32 districts lack stations, and Ntoroko is one of them, because people have to travel to Bundibugyo and get these services. Those who cannot travel to Bundibugyo due to transport costs do not get services. I add my voice to the recommendation of the committee, that Shs 20 billion for recruitment and Shs 8 billion for the new stations, including Ntoroko.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am very concerned about the issues of tractors – mechanisation of agriculture. Most of our people in the villages are waking up. They are now doing agriculture, not only for home consumption but even for sale. However, the fact is that people who are accessing these tractors from the ministry do it clandestinely. There is no formula on who gets. In the 10 th Parliament, we had asked that they provide us with a list of those districts that are supposed to get these tractors. You find someone who tells you that “I go there personally and get a tractor.” The entire Ntoroko, for instance, does not have any tractor. I would like to ask why the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries does not bring to us the list of those who are supposed to benefit from these tractors. Lastly, on the issue of irrigation –

Honourable members, I would like to welcome you back from the brief recess. You will recall that on 30 October 2025, the Presiding Officer adjourned the House sine die . This was aimed at ensuring sufficient time for the Members to participate in the ongoing electioneering process. We have, however, recalled the House today for some urgent business. I appreciate all those who have been able to come and be in the House, especially Members who lost in the primaries and are not standing, like my brother, Hon. Chemaswet, and the Member for Ntoroko. They are not standing, but they still come back to the House. I thank you so much for coming to this Sitting. Honourable members, I appreciate all of you who have heeded the call to participate in today’s Sitting. Indeed, this is the time we need to be in the constituency, but because of these urgent matters here, we have had to be here. Given the budget timelines, we shall have at least one more sitting in this calendar year to

Is the motion seconded? Seconded by Hon. Kabanda, Hon. Ssentayi, Hon. Charity, Hon. Alanyo, Hon. Werikhe, Hon. Baka, Hon. Elwelu, Honourable member for Ntoroko, Hon. Rwamirama and the whole side. Plus Hon. Abdu, honourable member for Butaleja and Bugembe. Can you justify? Hon. Kintu, I thought you had shifted to this side.

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

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

First, it was the four, including Yumbe and Kayunga, way back in 2019. Today, it is 2025, and up to now, the hospital has never been considered for rehabilitation. Madam Speaker, this hospital serves Congo, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo Districts, and the population has grown. Even the only road which connects us to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital has broken down and soon, we shall be cut off completely. This road is not being worked on, and yet it is the only road we have. The other hospitals have been rehabilitated and commissioned. Yesterday, we passed a loan for Bugiri Hospital under the same project that was supposed to be for Bundibugyo. We have not petitioned, but we shall not stop talking. We pray that Bundibugyo Hospital is urgently considered among the 20 that were mentioned or at any other opportunity that will come, but Bundibugyo Hospital should be prioritised.

17742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Madam Speaker, on 10 January 2023, I rose on this floor of Parliament, on the issue of health in Ntoroko District. The minister visited, but the challenge is that there was a proposal here on the floor of Parliament read by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on what we intended to do in Ntoroko; construction of a general ward at Rwebisengo and Karugutu, and a maternity ward both at Karugutu and Rwebisengo, and the Kibuku Town Council. A whole town council has no health facility, not even a health centre II in Karugutu Sub-county. You had proposed upgrading the Musandama Health Centre II to a health centre III. The challenge is that the minister lacks financial support from the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development. Madam Speaker, recently I went to your committee—an unfunded priority, you cannot believe. I thought that the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should be here and tell us why they are not giving money to the Minister of Health so that he can do all this work. All this work needs money. Lastly, we have Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital in Fort Portal. It has no oxygen plant, the CT scan is down, and all of us in Rwenzori and Toro run to it. Madam Speaker, this is alarming, and something should be done for this referral hospital. Those promises you made to the people of Ntoroko on health should be fulfilled.

I am developing that point. Madam Speaker, the Road Safety Act has been amended several times. This has been to address the evolving road safety challenges that keep emerging. However, just like the honourable distinguished Member of Ntoroko observed, I have ever intervened at one time when I saw- because our side of the road normally has tracks that carry with them lots of cattle from our subregion. The men and a few women were seated on top of a fast-running truck when the police stopped them. Within a split second, money had exchanged hands, and they had allowed these fellows to proceed. Therefore, I stopped over and took them on. I said, honestly speaking, could you not have stopped these people and offloaded the men and women who are on top of the truck? One of them who had already identified me, and so they pleaded with me, but I said This is being on the wrong side of the law. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Dr Opio]

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

Yes, Madam Speaker. Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road is a big challenge and as it slopes down in Kalongo, the terrain is very challenging and I know the district cannot manage. We shall ensure that Kitgum station addresses the issue of the Kitgum-Matidi-Waal-Kalongo Road. On the Pajule-Pader-Patongo Road, under the project we are doing now; Rwekunye- Apac-Lira-Puranga Road on the section of the Puranga-Acholibur Road, we are going to have a loop to Pader District through Pajule. So that will address the Pajule issue and some tarmac into Pader. Madam Speaker, Pader is just like Kalungu. There is no tarmac in Pader. Tarmac goes like this - but we will get there. Obongi Ferry is not in a very good state. We need to have a full rehabilitation of the ferry. Hopefully, when we start the construction of the Laropi Bridge, we shall relieve that more serviceable ferry and bring it downwards. The Koch Goma Bridge is under the Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (DRDIP) in the Prime Minister’s Office so I cannot respond on that. Lira-Otuke-Abim-Kotido Road is the road in the National Development Plan (NDP) IV. We will see whether we go through Achanpi or we first go to Kotido to Abim through Lira. Otherwise, we may eventually go to Achanpi and down to Soroti. Madam Speaker, Kotido-Moroto-Kaabong Road is a tourism project. Already, the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the contractor who did the Entebbe Expressway, is in discussions with the finance ministry to pre-finance the project all the way from Moroto, Kotido-Kaabong-Karenga and up to Kidepo. Regarding the challenges of the station in Moyo, Madam Speaker, I do not think they have a lot of challenges. The challenge has been the delay to enable them to work, but that one we are resolving. The station managers who are out there are very industrious. They want to work. Once we solve this issue of them being allowed to operate their accounts, I think you will see a difference. Regarding the Karugutu-Ntoroko Road, there is already a contractor; Afcons, who is supposed to do that road. It has taken a while because, I think, again, of funding mechanisms. However, this is an oil road. It is package four of the oil road. It is going to be done soon because we are doing Lusalira-Nkonge now to Lumegere to Sembabule. So when we do that, Afcons will also come and do Karugutu-Ntoroko. Therefore, the maintenance of Fort Portal- Bundibugyo is critical because that is the only route which the people of Bundibugyo have. We have also China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) on that route to do a framework contract for maintenance up to Lamia. What are the adaptive engineering technologies which we are adopting to ensure that our roads survive the vagaries of nature? These are things which we do most of the time. All our projects, 90 per cent of them, must have the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) done and through that, we ensure

Thank you, Madam Speaker for the opportunity. I would like to thank the honourable minister for his response or report. Honourable minister, I come from Ntoroko, which borders the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in this exercise of renewal, we have had a challenge where people have been tossed here and there. These are Ugandans with national identity cards, but when they go for renewal, they keep disturbing them; “Go back to GISO, go back to DISO” whereas these people have national IDs and they are Ugandans. I do not know why these people should be disturbed and tossed here and there. “Go to DISO, PISO or the Resident District Commissioner (RDC)” and yet these people got national IDs. For instance, if people have come for the first time, they should be vetted. But people who have national IDs are being disturbed. Honourable minister, I do not know what you are going to do in the case of Ntoroko because we have people who have been disturbed and have failed to renew their national IDs because of the technicalities from some of your staff members. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker for the opportunity. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I think you know the issue of floods in the Ntoroko District. Since 2019- you also visited Ntoroko and saw people living in IDP camps. Terrible situation; no schools and roads. The last time I was here, you asked us to present the document of those people who were willing to sell pieces of land so that the office of the Prime Minister buys these pieces of land to relocate and resettle these people. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the situation of these people really- These people are living like- I do not know how I can compare. If you see the lives of these people living in camps, they are not like Ugandans. We have been on it since 2019. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are you buying this land to relocate and resettle these flood victims? It has really taken a very long time. Madam Speaker, during the campaigns, it was very tough for us to go in these camps and talk to these people. They never wanted to hear anything from the Government and us leaders. It has become ugly. I do not know what you are going to do, Rt Hon. Prime Minister. When are you buying this piece of land and relocating these people? I want to thank you.

Madam Speaker, the floods of Ntoroko took place in 2019. You and I were not yet in these offices. But when we took over, I want you to appreciate that we have been supporting that community. We failed to get land where to relocate these people. The only land that was available was for Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) land. The laws do not allow us to gazette even one kilometer. We needed eight kilometers. Therefore, we opted to buy land from those people. The land those people have, when they did due diligence, it was in wetlands. Some of the land was worse than where they were. We would put people there, and then they would also again submerge. Madam Speaker, the issue of Ntoroko is quite complex. The only land that is raised is that of the Uganda Wildlife Authority. We will just waste money buying that land. Yesterday, we had a meeting involving your leaders from your district. The Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the LC5 Chairperson, and the Chief Administrative Officer were there. The president directed that we look for this land in 2020. So, we have been able to construct new health facilities, and you are aware. It is not that we have not been concerned. My office has tried. We even have the money, but the challenge was, should we again buy land in a swamp? That has been our challenge. Maybe, since we are supposed to bring this issue to Parliament because it is Parliament with the powers to degazzette, we degazzette part of Semuliki, and then maybe, settle people there. It is complex and you know it.

17632 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME To date, these people have not been helped. As I speak, they are in a miserable situation, especially the first 29 families that were relocated around the 27th of November 2024. The land is there, the two acres for those families. You assured us last time in your meeting that Shs 10 million is also available for them, to resettle and construct small structures. To date, these people have not been helped. They have not been given money. We have called the officers from the office of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, to date they have not been helped. Can the people of Bulambuli be updated on the status? Ms NABBANJA: Madam Speaker, on Monday this week, the Cabinet was informed of the same through my office. The challenge we have been having is almost the same as the one in Ntoroko. Hon. Mafabi identified land worth 18,000 acres, but that land is encumbered. That land is owned by another company. Amaro is an Indian company, but that land also was given to Masdar. Masdar is supposed to construct a solar plant. We know that almost half of that land is a swamp. On Monday, the Cabinet resolved that a team from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development - and I believe they went there yesterday - should go to Bulambuli, have a look at this land and if there is an area where we can settle people, then we start the resettlement exercise. We appreciate and know that the conditions those people are living in are not the best. Living in a camp with a family, with everything, is really something that one cannot recommend to a human being, but we have no alternative, as we speak. The Government gave me Shs 50 billion. We have the money. We want to pay these people as we give them the land. We had come up with a resolution that maybe we could give them cash, but the Cabinet said, no. We have to get land and relocate these people, with the Shs 10 million.

17520 BUDGET SPEECH Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Kigoyera Maize Processing Facility in Kyenjojo; Itojo Maize And Rice Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Nombe Coffee Processing Facility in Ntoroko; Apala Oil Seed Processing Facility in Alebtong; Gatyanga Coffee Processing Facility in Bunyangabu; Ocorimongin Rice Processing Facility in Katakwi; Kajamaka Rice Processing Facility in Kumi; Kikwata Coffee Processing Facility in Nakaseke; and Kiwoko Maize Processing Facility also in Nakaseke. Madam Speaker, the Government is strengthening partnership with the private sector through Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) to support local value-addition and manufacturing in a wide range of agricultural value chains. These investments include Soroti Fruit Factory, Budadiri Arabica coffee, Mabale Growers Tea Factory, Kayonza Growers Tea Factory, Bukona Agro Processors, Atiak Sugar Factory, and Yumbe Fruit Factory. Madam Speaker, as part of the effort to increase access of Uganda’s products to international markets, we dispatched the inaugural exports of coffee and milk to Serbia and Algeria, respectively. The milk exports to Algeria have potential to fetch Uganda export earnings worth $500 million. Madam Speaker, I have allocated a total of Shs 1.86 trillion next financial year towards deepening agro-industrialisation. These funds will support investments in: 1. Agricultural research; 2. Agricultural inputs, including fertilisers; 3. Water for irrigation; 4. Extension services; 5. Agro-processing and value addition; 6. Post-harvest handling and storage facilities; and 7. Inspection, surveillance, certification, enforcement of quality standards and market access. Tourism Development Madam Speaker, Uganda’s tourism sector continued to recover with tourist arrivals increasing by 7.7 per cent to 1.37 million in 2024, from 1.27 million in 2023. Similarly, tourism earnings grew by 26 per cent to $1.28 billion in 2024, up from $1.02 billion in 2023. Madam Speaker, the following achievements were registered: 1. Promoted and marketed Uganda through international “ Explore Uganda” promotional campaigns in high-value market segments in USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. As a result, the year-on-year growth of interest in Uganda by tourists is 33 per cent for the United Kingdom, 19 per cent for Canada and five per cent for the USA. Additionally, through the theme “ Uniquely Ours”, we have promoted domestic tourism. As a result, domestic tourism in national parks increased by 15.7 per cent in 2024, reaching 244,843 visitors. 2. Continued to innovate and modernise tourism products to make them more competitive. This involved maintenance of 1,300 kilometres of trail tracks and roads in tourism protected areas; increasing the cumulative coverage of electric fencing to 177 kilometres in Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls national parks; continued construction of the pier and related infrastructure at the Source of the Nile; continuing to upgrade the Uganda Museum and Namugongo Martyrs’ Shrines; construction of 3,521 meters of climbing ladders and boardwalks on the Rwenzori Mountains to make hiking safer and fun; completion and commissioning of Kikorongo Equator Monument in Kasese; and the construction works of Karamoja Museum, which is nearing completion. 3. The Government invested in a world-class convention facility in Munyonyo. This has promoted Uganda as one of the regional destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). Consequently, Uganda now ranks seventh in Africa in MICE tourism.

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

Madam Speaker, thank you for the one minute. I chair the Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. My concern is about the many villages in Uganda without even a single water source. The budget committee needs to provide money for that. Two, we had a meeting with Ntoroko and Bundibugyo districts today. Those areas are prone to disasters –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is not true that all local government administrative units have – I can give an example of Fort Portal Tourism City. They demand a lot of money and if there is proof that they have been paid up to-date, it can be provided. I wanted to comment and help ourselves because I had something burning that the Local Governments are not completing the works, especially the construction of schools and health centres. Mr Speaker, the programmes dictated to us, for example, the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT), dictate that the tenders or procurements are done by the mother ministries at the headquarters. Therefore, the schools that benefit from UgIFT for the construction of seed schools, their procurements are done by the Ministry of Education and Sports. Likewise, the health centres are done by the Ministry of Health. We have complained and we think the ministries are in the process of discussing with the donors to adjust these conditions because, there is hybrid procurement where someone is allocated to six schools – like the one that is building in Ntoroko is the one building in Bundibugyo, building in Kiyombya in Bunyangabu, building in Kabarole, in Kasenda. Therefore, he has five schools and he does not have the capacity. If you are not forceful, you will not complete it. (Interjection) I was, and mine is completed, but I have forwarded him for blacklisting. So, it is not our fault. Mr Speaker, we have, as Ministry of Local Government, our self-inflicted wounds, but the amendments we are making in the Act, we have proposed that all the headquarters be the same design and the same amount. I give an example of Butaleja; when we advanced them Shs 200 million, they made the foundation as big as this parliamentary building. And after two days, they were crying that the money was not enough. So, understand us; we are fighting tooth and nail to make sure that there is flexibility in the conditions from the donors. I thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Ntoroko and Rwenzori region, I also join colleagues in paying tribute to our fallen comrade, Hon. Sse - girinya. I would like to thank you in a special way for standing with your Members. You are a very exceptional leader in this country. May God bless you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I congratulate you and the team for the work well done in Mombasa. Mr Speaker, I would like to react to your communication about the floods. I send my sympathies to the people of Bulambuli for the lives lost; it was very unfortunate. I have an issue with the Office of the Prime Minister. In Ntoroko, we have had floods since 2019; people are living in water. I have come here several times lamenting and the Office of the Prime Minister had promised to buy land and relocate these people. However, up to now, there is no land and people are still living in water. Recently, the water level on Lake Albert increased and more places are being eaten up. People are living in camps in a terrible situation. Therefore, we pray that the Office of the Prime Minister takes action. As they relocate people in Bulambuli, Ntoroko should not be left out. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, the issue of Ntoroko is well known to me. I know it caused some transfers and interdiction of some Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs). I know they have the money, but the Government instituted a forensic audit and the reports are out. I think we can now allow you to recruit. I will ask the Ministry of Public Service to give you a letter of no objection.

Mr Speaker, I want you to remember the Shs 5 billion that I directed to be used for those disaster-prone areas, which we used to buy land in Kayunga and Kaseseto to construct health centres in Rwampanga, Ntoroko, and many other places. We bought that land but it brought issues. The family members that owned that land reported us to the Inspector General of Government (IGG). The IGG has just cleared that this land was not fraudulently acquired. I think two or three months ago, I wrote a letter to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to help us open up boundaries and demarcate. We are currently going to put roads so that we can have access to the whole land. Thereafter, we shall demarcate two acres per person. So, we are aware. I am one of those who directed that this land be bought. Thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, I took note when Members were talking about the need to make or to fund the Red Cross. I want to confirm that the Red Cross gets funding from the Government under our budget of disaster and also gets funding from international bodies. They complement our work and we work as a team. Our interventions are immediate, mid-term and long-term. The immediate interventions are those that include response in terms of relief items, non-relief items, shelter, among others. The mid-term interventions are the issues that we look at addressing the challenge that we have. Last week, I chaired a meeting that brought together UN agencies and the leadership of Ntoroko to look at how we can engage the agencies with modern equipment on bridging where the flooding comes from and affects our people. Therefore, we are doing all it takes to do what we can amidst the meager resources that we are allocated. We pledge to continue providing responses at every time of need. I also want to confirm that the ministry for finance has allocated funding, and that we are soon going to dispatch relief items to the different parts of the country. The requests that were received, and reports attached to, will receive support of relief items in their respective districts. Other Members here can confirm that last week, they already received the food items, but we cannot send them all at once. We will send them bit by bit, because of the transportation, since we will have to rely on the same trucks. I thank you.

14744 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT the relief. In fact, Ntoroko was devastated for a very long time, but we are beginning to get some relief from UN agencies and your office. We thank you so much. Although the relief is not enough - Bundibugyo is also facing the same. Leaving that aside, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we have this oil road of Karugutu–Ntoroko which is 56 kilometres and linked to Rwebisengo, eight kilometres. This road has been in the Government programme since 2016. All other oil roads were constructed apart from Karugutu-Ntoroko. We have trucks that go to Ntoroko Landing Site. You know, we have one border point that was constructed by the Government and it is doing a lot of work, but vehicles do not get there on time. When are you having this road constructed, Rt Hon. Prime Minister? I have written to the Speaker about the same. Do you remember the letter I wrote to you? You also communicated to Gen. Katumba Wamala, the Minister of Works and Transport, but up to now - people want to hang me over that road. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when is the work on this road beginning? I beg to submit.

Let me use this opportunity to inform the people of Ntoroko not to hang you. Ntoroko-Karugutu road is a priority road. It is only that we are limited by resources. We should have even gone to another level of procurement. I will give you details since we are always together in the office and everywhere -(Laughter)- No, he is a brother. That is why I have not had an opportunity to speak like this with other colleagues. He and I are very close. We shall see what to do and make sure that we involve the Ministry of Works and Transport to make sure that that road is given priority.

14606 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [Ms Nabbanja] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Mr Speaker, I asked a question when they were giving me this global award. I said, “Why me?” Then they played videos; there is when our country was hit by floods - in Kayunga; when we were going to Kawongo landing site, the vehicle stopped about five kilometres away. We used a small boat, and then after that, where the people were staying, there were no vehicles because they were cut off completely. I used a boda boda - they had that clip, which they played and said; “Service beyond self.” (Applause) Mr Speaker, they also had another clip, when we went to Ntoroko - I do not know whether my brother is here – (Interjection) - yes. We went to Ntoroko, and remember that time when we had people who were stuck in the waters. They had nowhere to go. All their land had submerged. We went there with a boat, and there was a crawling baby. They had that photo when a crawling baby was on top of the water, and the way we were giving them support. They also had another one, when I represented Mama, the First Lady, in Japan. We did a lot of communal work in Japan. They also added so many other things; I did not know; they were always following us. I want to take this opportunity, Mr Speaker, to lay on the Table this global award as an inspiration to other leaders.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the honourable members for raising these pertinent issues. Number one, there is a hidden corrupt person who is not easily identified with pinning evidence: the chairperson LC V. For us to pin people, we must have evidence. People are not coming out openly. Even some of the members of the district service commissions bribe, because they know they will get money from candidates. We raised the same point in the Cabinet for these people to be interviewed or else we set regional service commissions and implement e-recruitment. So, we are in the struggle. It will soon come from the Cabinet to us. Secondly, we are not just silent. When we get reports, we act. Mr Speaker, this is my second time saying I cancelled 322 positions that were illegally recruited by the leadership of Ntoroko, which had only three members. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) signed and put a levy: if you want this job, Shs 5 million, Shs 3 million and so on. Bring for us those cases and we shall investigate and act. (Applause) It is the same with Kagadi and Kitagwenda, where the human resource officers had convinced all the teachers to join the Parish Development Model (PDM) to become Parish Chiefs so that they could steal Shs 100 million. So, once you report and there is evidence, we can administer the medicine. I would like to confirm that it is true that the chairpersons have a big arm. Busia District spent over two years without a service commission, because he had picked corrupt people, which the councillors rejected and he refused to pick any other. Tell us where the problem is, and we shall join hands. We need to improve and design a very strict law that pins the district and city service commissions. For example, in Fort Portal, they are lamenting. There are people who do not have qualifications. I wrote to the Inspector General of Government (IGG) in 2022 and appealed to the Prime Minister but, to date, nothing has been done. One of them sent me a message: “You started very actively, what happened?” What happened? I did my work. The State House Anti-Corruption Unit - Brig Gen. Isoke gave charge sheets, but the matter is still in the Anti-Corruption Court and those people are rejoicing. Some are coming up to contest. (Laughter) So, what should we do to the Arms of Government that intentionally delay to solve problems that are straightforward? We need - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Bundibugyo is now a centre of all the disasters you can think about. We have a cocktail of them. From floods, landslides, and mudslides, and there is a bigger one which I raised here before. Huge land masses sinking and what we have told people is to move away from those land masses. People are now landless and homeless. Therefore, we have a category of people who need to be relocated away from those areas. Mr Speaker, I raised this matter here and requested the Government to send technical people to Bundibugyo to find out what is causing this, because it is unusual. The Government sent a team of geoscientists from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, but up to now, we have never received a report of what is causing this. We are seeing more land masses sinking. As I talk, in Bundibugyo we have 27 sub- counties out of which 17 are affected. We have over 5,000 people who have been displaced. If you watched the television, Members, you saw what was happening in Ntoroko District. All that water you see in Ntoroko is coming from Bundibugyo. We need a permanent solution to some of these challenges. Mr Speaker, while I pray that Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) looks at the emergencies, and relief items and all that - indeed people need food, iron sheets and tarpaulins, we need a permanent solution. Otherwise, we shall continue having this water in Ntoroko. Imagine what that water in Ntoroko has done in Bundibugyo where it is coming from. Mr Speaker, my prayer is for the Government to constitute a team to go to Bundibugyo. Our Chief Administrative Officer(CAO) has written reports to the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and I have copies of about four reports but for the last three months, but no response and no team from the Government has gone there. Last week I saw a team from OPM in Ntoroko - our neighbours –but they stopped there. They were looking at the floods and were seeing where the water was coming from; Bundibugyo, but they have not gone there. Can OPM and the Government send a team to do an assessment? But we need a permanent solution. Our people are orphaned and are suffering. I so pray.

Hon. Gafabusa - (Laughter) - that one. Yesterday, I was here and I noted that one of the long-term interventions, the ministry and the OPM has brought on board other agencies to look at avenues on how we can handle the issues of floods in Bundibugyo, Kasese and Ntoroko. Because, some of these flooding challenges are coming up because of the human settlement and they are bound to happen if we do not address the matter from the cause. So, we are looking at putting up a team and we have brought on board a humanitarian agency. As I speak, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is on ground. My team from office - the technical team, are already in the field to engage with the communities and come up with a report on how we can go forward on addressing the cause of these floods. But we will also provide relief and non-food items to the affected communities. Hon. Anifa also whispered to me that she has experienced issues of hailstones in her area. Honourable minister, I have taken note and I will send a team to ensure that we collect data and be able to provide the necessary assistance and that will be in terms of relief food items. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance regarding the heavy damage that has been caused by River Nyamwamba in Kasese Town over the years. On the 7 th of September, River Nyamwamba burst its banks and flooded Kasese Town, killing people, destroying houses and sweeping away merchandise, leaving the business community with a lot of suffering. Mr Speaker, it has become common that in May, June and October, this river bursts its banks and leaves many people dead and property destroyed. And this is not happening in Kasese alone but in the whole of the Rwenzori subregion. Districts such as Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Kabarole are also affected. My prayer, Mr Speaker, is that you appoint a team of technocrats from the Ministry of Water and Environment to go and find out what exactly could be the problem in Kasese.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Indeed, what the honourable member has raised is now a challenge in Kasese. Mr Speaker, last week I invited the UN agencies, and we had a meeting to look at the long-term plan for handling Kasese, Ntoroko, and Bundibugyo. We invited members of Parliament from Ntoroko, and this is a plan, which is underway that we are organising, and we will be able to have an interface with the community in Kasese as well. The Minister of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees has also sanctioned relief food items to be taken to Kasese. But I just want the honourable member to note that we are looking at a long-term solution on how the community can be supported, and that includes the relocation that you also requested. I thank you.

Thank you. Now, honourable colleagues, yesterday, this is the point I made that, as put straight by Hon. Gilbert Olanya, we know the season. So, we requested the minister for disaster preparedness to bring a report to the House on Wednesday, on how prepared they are to mitigate - because I am receiving nearly - I do not know how many MPs speak to the issues of disaster every week. The answer we get is the same. Even the stores are empty yet, they are coordinated under the Office of the Prime Minister. So, we requested the minister to bring a report on Wednesday; we shall then discuss that report. When we are discussing that report, it is when all of us will come in. I do not think Hon. Rwemulikya can be here now, because of what is happening in Ntoroko. During this period, you can never see him and Hon. Anne Tumwine here because of what is happening in Ntoroko. We always know that every year, as a must, River Nyamwamba floods. When you look at the money we have spent to mitigate, you know, resettling, giving food, what, you know, every year. So, let us wait until Wednesday, honourable colleagues when the minister presents a report, and we shall have a long debate on this issue. Hon. Dr Musa Noah?

13972 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Mr Speaker, we request the leaders to harmonise on the land so that the Government can support this initiative. The Government will grant and build, after the issues of land are addressed. The construction of the school will commence when the money is provided for in the budget. Mr Speaker, the Government is engaging the local leadership on the matter, for availability of land for the construction. Grant-aiding is a cheaper alternative, as you all know, compared to the construction of a fully-fledged secondary school, which requires approximately Shs 3.3 billion. The second question, Mr Speaker, came from Hon. Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, Kanungu District. She said that there is guidance from the Ministry of Education and Sports, about Government schools not to have boarding students and pupils. Many schools do not know about that policy because they have not received formal communication. Additionally, ministers and other top government officials have attended fundraising functions to build dormitories. Her prayers are: 1. Are there special schools and districts with exemptions to have boarding facilities? 2. Are these government officials attending such fundraisings aware of the policy? My response, Mr Speaker, is that the spirit of universal education is to increase access to education, especially for the disadvantaged children. Hence, these schools are expected to operate as day schools. In the event that a school would like to operate a boarding section, it must follow the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education and Sports. It is entirely under the management of the school and its governance to ensure that the school meets the requirements for the operation of the boarding section. Therefore, the boarding of learners should be optional, not a must. Additionally, schools are allowed to operate a boarding section after they have been given permission by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports. Mr Speaker, they are expected to write to the permanent secretary using the provided application forms, which are forwarded by the respective local governments. The permanent secretary then requests the Directorate of Education Standards to carry out a compliance inspection, and depending on the findings, the Directorate of Education Standards submits the application forms to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports. If the school meets the requirements, then, the permanent secretary issues a certificate of authority to operate a boarding facility. It is only after the acquisition of this permission that the school is allowed to operate a boarding section. Mr Speaker, all this is meant to secure the safety, security and health of our learners. Therefore, schools which operate such unauthorised boarding sections, and conduct fundraisings, do it against the ministry’s position, and they are aware of it. Question number three came from Hon. Acrobert Kiiza, Bughendera Constituency. He said that “on several occasions, you have met Members of Parliament from the disaster- prone districts, especially the districts at high risk such as Bududa, Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, Namusindwa, Buhweju, Bulambuli, etc and it has always been resolved that the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Works and Transport would urgently fix the washed away bridges and work on the damaged road infrastructure beyond the capacity of the districts. To date, according to the Member, he has not seen critical intervention, especially in the Bundibugyo District to have the washed away bridges and damaged roads worked on.

13973 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 AUGUST 2024 His prayers are: 1. When will the OPM in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport implement the plan to have the damaged bridges and roads in Bundibugyo and other flood-prone districts? 2. Can the Office of the Prime Minister help in finding a permanent solution for River Kirumya in Ntotoro Subcounty in Bundibugyo District which has continuously displaced communities living near the river? Mr Speaker, my response is that it is true my office has been coordinating the interventions funded and supported by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in Bundibugyo District towards the construction of low bridges where possible. In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the finance ministry through the roads maintenance grant established Shs 1 billion to support the construction of low-cost bridges and so far, two small bridges have been constructed in Bundibugyo. However, there has been a challenge of availability and timely release of funds to implement the necessary activities, an issue that is being addressed. Two arch bridges were constructed using the Shs 1 billion road grant. Additionally, three cable bridges at rivers Tokwe, Sandila and Nyahuka were constructed by a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) called Bridges to Prosperity and it has also supported the district by constructing bridges for pedestrians, cyclists and animal use. 3. On the flood mitigation in Ntoroko, my office, together with the World Food Programme (WFP) and Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO) have supported the district with technical supervision and funds to implement mitigation interventions in the form of flood embankment construction along the river bank areas of River Ssemiliki. The WFP provided Shs 377 million to the district for works supervised by the department of works and engineering of the district. Mr Speaker, my office, the Ministry of Water and Environment, the World Food Programme, FAO, Uganda Red Cross Society, together with the districts of Bundibugyo, Kasese, Ntoroko, and Kisoro are currently developing a multi- hazard early warning to increase resilience and enhance early and anticipatory actions of communities to disaster incidents. Lastly, in addition to the construction above, my office has constructed a new health facility after the old one in Bundibugyo got flooded in 2020. 4. Hon. Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Member of Parliament, Omoro County His prayer is that we appeal to the Government to take an interest in prioritising the setting up of seed secondary schools in war-affected areas in addition to technical vocational institutions and coding and aid-granting community schools. My response, Mr Speaker, is that Uganda Secondary Education Expansion Project (USEEP) targets refugee-hosting districts, war-affected communities, and those with no Government-aided secondary schools in a subcounty. We have 32 new schools in the refugee hosting districts and 61 schools to be expanded, totalling 93. These are supporting the war-affected populations. 5. Hon. George Didi Bhoka, Member of Parliament of Obongi County. He says the leaders and people of Obongi District appreciate the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for benefiting from the agro-mechanisation programme. Obongi District, according to him, received one four-wheel tractor and six hand-operated tractors from the agriculture ministry eight

13908 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT several ministers here means they should work together collectively to respond to the concerns of Ugandans. When we come and ask questions and we do not get answers, these questions are repeated. Sometimes I sympathise with Members when they speak here every day. There is a Member from Ntoroko, but he is not here, Hon. Rwemulikya – no, I think he is from Ibanda, who has been raising, in the last five years, the challenges he has faced with the floods and roads there, every three months. He is a member of NRM. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I want to suggest – while we, as Members of Parliament, have been taken through orientation, I think our ministers have not. I do not know whether the Cabinet has that, but they have to do that. You cannot get these ministers in their offices. If you go to their offices and you write a chit, and they see that it is from an MP, you will hardly access them. If you send them a text message - most of them – (Interjections) - I and colleagues have a testimony about this. Even when you send them a text message, you do not get a response -(interjections) - the last time, before – (Interruption)

Mr Speaker, we have always acted when it comes to floods in Ntoroko District. What we shall do now is to request the honourable member to get us a report from the disaster preparedness committee of the district. We shall also organise a meeting with the leaders of Ntoroko on the ground so that we can come up with a lasting solution because this district has truly suffered due to floods.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I thank the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, for the work that you are doing, especially the care you are giving us in Ntoroko. We are prone to disasters, you know. As we speak now, the entire three subcounties are submerged. We raised the issue of land - you promised to buy land and locate people in the Kanara Subcounty. I raised that issue here with you on the 23 rd and 29 th of November last year, I also wrote to your office. You said you were going to buy land for Kasese and Ntoroko but Kasese land was bought and Ntoroko was left out. Our people are living in a terrible situation. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when are we getting this land so that our people live as human beings? I thank you.

Mr Speaker, the honourable from Ntoroko is aware that we held several meetings. I have been to their area many times, and the purpose was for us to look for a lasting solution for people to leave those waterlogged areas and get land. The President said, “Can we get land and buy it for the people?” We struggled to get land. What is next is Semuliki National Park. Gazetting a national park is constitutional; you know what I am talking about. We agreed for them to look for people who have land, which is not in the water because they showed us land that was submerged after a few months. I want you to remember that land of that Mulalo man. It submerged after a few months so we are still waiting for the district to look for land so that the Government can pay for that land.

13717 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2024 He ordered for their release and handover to the DRC authorities and it was done on 9 th and 10 June 2020, through the border posts of Busanza, Bunagana, Goli, Mpondwe, Wanseko and Ntoroko. Mr Speaker, in the same month of June 2020, the Uganda embassy in Kinshasa, DRC, requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Justice of the Democratic Republic of Congo to consider releasing Ugandan nationals who were in the prisons in DRC. In August 2021, the Ambassador of Uganda to DRC, together with the leadership of North Kivu, held several meetings, which culminated in the release of 76 Congolese and 54 Ugandans. These had been charged with illicit fishing. All the confiscated fishing gear was returned to both parties. In June 2022, Mr Speaker, the Director of Public Prosecution of Uganda participated in a meeting in Kinshasa under the auspices of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region over the same issue of prisoners. In the same month, the Minister of Justice of DRC paid a visit to Congolese nationals in Ugandan prisons and pledged to fast-track the prison exchange programme. On 30 October 2020, the Uganda Embassy was granted access to prisoners in DRC. The mission promised to continue prison visits and transmit to the authorities in DRC the cases of Ugandans in prisons in DRC. Observation of the committee; It was observed that although both states agreed to release and exchange prisoners, at the time of the committee’s interaction with the mission, there was no extradition treaty between the two countries to effectively facilitate the process of extraditing the prisoners. DRC undertook to provide a draft of a treaty, but it is yet to be presented. 3.3. Legal attachés The committee observed that Ugandan missions abroad lack prerequisite attachés such as legal attachés. The absence of such staff denies Ugandans abroad the following services: a) Appropriate coordination of legal assistance overseas; b) Sharing investigative leads and information; c) Managing country clearances; and d) Coordinating victim and humanitarian assistance. 4.0. Recommendations 4.1. Legal Attaches should be deployed to all missions to facilitate Ugandans in the diaspora and to ease access to legal facilities in countries where Uganda’s missions are hosted. 4.2. Mr Speaker, an extradition treaty between DRC and Uganda should be negotiated to effectively facilitate the process of extraditing the prisoners in the two countries. 4.3. The committee recommends that the Government should enhance its engagement with the DRC Government to fast-track the signing of all pending agreements. 4.4. The Uganda Embassy should always reach out to Ugandans and encourage them to register their presence and to live within the confines of the law. 4.5. The Government of Uganda should reclassify its missions abroad. 4.6. Mr Speaker, finally, the Government of Uganda should come up with a tentative post-exchange rehabilitation programme to help the released prisoners to fit back in their society. Mr Speaker, I beg to report to this House for onward process, as you may guide – for

Madam Speaker, it is not only in Masaka. The entire nation is suffering from these issues of fisheries and the military. I have heard from the honourable colleagues from Ntoroko who have serious issues there. We enacted a law here that removed the military from the waters in terms of protecting the fisheries. We want to hear from the minister whether this law came to effect. Otherwise, we have continued to see the military everywhere and it has affected our people’s livelihoods. They have been banned from the lakes. Their fishing gears have been burnt. We are losing lives. Madam Speaker, it is important – (Interruption)

13072 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS The committee was informed that according to the Expressway Master Plan, the following eight priority toll roads are expected to be constructed, those you can read through. The committee therefore recommends that UNRA be maintained as a semi-autonomous entity due to the fact that Objective 2(2)(a) of the UNRA Act (Repeal), 2004 does not apply to it citing UNRA’s contribution to revenue generation. 5.4 Technical Assistance and Support Offered by UNRA The committee was informed that due to the high technical capabilities that UNRA has developed over the years, the authority has offered technical assistance and support to other government ministries and departments including the following. a) Construction of the Kampala Flyover project. This project is located within the Kampala road network and should have ordinarily been undertaken by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). However, this was not possible due to inadequate technical capacity. UNRA took up the complex project due to its high specialised staff and has completed phase 1 and moving to phase 2, covering Kitgum Junction. b) Isimba Bridge: The committee was informed that the construction of this bridge started under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development as part of the Isimba Dam project. Due to inadequate technical capacity at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, UNRA was called upon to provide for technical support and supervise the bridge construction works. The works were completed successfully and the bridge is now in use. c) Saka Bridge. The construction works for Saka Bridge were initially done by the Ministry of Works and Transport, but the works were washed away by floods. UNRA was called upon to take up the project and completed it successfully. d) Technical support to Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF). Cognisant of the fact that the UPDF is currently conducting Operation Shuja inside the Democratic Republic of Congo to fight against ADF rebels. And at some point, UPDF was facing a challenge of crossing Semliki River. UNRA offered technical support by assembling two ferries, one connecting Ntoroko to DRC and the other located at Karuruma inside DRC. The technical support included training of UPDF personnel in ferry operations and maintenance. e) Technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture. You can also read about the institutions that UNRA has been rendering support to. In light of the above, the committee observed that UNRA has become a shock absorber for the road infrastructure sector and mainstreaming it may expose the sector to high risk that may result in financial losses in the medium and long term. (Interjection) The committee, therefore, recommends that UNRA should be tasked to enhance in-house technical capacity, in order to save the country from the huge costs associated with contract management. 5.5. Agency model for the road sector The committee noted that the world over, the development and maintenance of the national road backbone infrastructure is through semi- autonomous entities. For instance, all member states of the East Africa Community have adopted a semi- autonomous road agency authority affiliated to the respective ministries of works infrastructure as shown in the table below. In Kenya, it is called the Kenya National Highway Authority. In Tanzania, it is called the [Mr Atwijukire] THE UGANDA NATIONAL ROADS AUTHORITY ACT (REPEAL) BILL, 2024

Thank you. Is it seconded? Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Joyce, Member of Parliament for Mityana, Hon. Allan, Member of Parliament for Nakaseke and Member of Parliament for Butaleja. Hon. Amooti, Hon. Ferigo, Hon. Anywar, Hon. Atyang, Member of Parliament for Ntoroko, and Member of Parliament for Mbarara – I am mentioning those I have not been mentioning – Hon. Max, Member of Parliament for Bushenyi and the Member of Parliament for Kiruhura. I have seen even the Member of Parliament for Kamuli, Hon. Kibalya also seconding, Hon. Magogo – (Laughter) – Member of Parliament for Aruu. Honourable members, what is wrong with Hon. Magogo Ssalongo seconding? (Laughter)

Is that Rwampara or Ntoroko?

Thank you. Member for Ntoroko – She has not spoken. Her name was mentioned, then a motion came up.

Madam Speaker, I beg to designate the following to the standing Committee on Equal Opportunities: 1. Hon. Judith Alyek – Chairperson; and 2. Hon. Dorcas Acen – Deputy Chairperson. The following are designated as members: 1. Hon. Derrick Kabuura – Bushenyi-Ishaka; 2. Hon. Ann Mary Tumwine - Ntoroko; 3. Hon. Abdul Mutumba – Kiboga West County; 4. Hon. Sauda Kauma - Iganga; 5. Hon. Albert Lokoru – Tepeth County; 6. Hon. Peter Teko Lokeris – Chekwii East County; 7. Hon. James Olobo – Kioga North; 8. Hon. John Lematia – Ayivu Division; 9. Hon. Sharifah Taban Aate - Koboko; 10. Hon. Margaret Ayebare - Mbarara; 11. Hon. Henry Nkwasiibwe – Ruhaama County; 12. Hon. John Kamara – Bufumbira North; 13. Hon. Stephen Kasaija Kagwera – Burahya County; 14. Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba Mirembe - Kibale; 15. Hon. Peninah Busingye - Kuruhura; 16. Hon. Edson Rugumayo – Youth Western; 17. Hon. Joy Peggy Waako - Elderly; 18. Hon. Yorke Alioni Odria – Aringa County; 19. Hon. Paul Akamba – Busiki county; and 20. Hon. Solomon Chelangat – T’oo. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Honourable minister, as you have that hope that you will be able to handle this, that is one more reason why we need to know the needs of each place. We need to know the needs of Hoima, Ntoroko, Soroti and Kamwenge so that we know what we are going to spend on. You will find that even Serere, where the minister comes from, is also asking - We need to know all the needs so that we are able to budget properly, now that there is a loan there and we are going into the budgeting process. We need to have that information.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Happy birthday. I seek some answers from the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. I thank you so much for the help you are giv - ing to Ntoroko due to those floods, especially when you visited us. As I speak, the seven sub - counties are submerged. The other time we gave a report, but the challenge was that we needed land to relocate those people; Kasese and Ntoroko were prioritised and Kasese got their land, but Ntoroko was left out. Rt Prime Minister, we have land in Ntoroko and people are willing to sell. The other time I was in your office and told you about it. When are we getting this land, so that these people are shifted from those areas? As I speak, if you see the pictures, our people are suffering. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, it is true I was in Ntoroko together with all the teams from the Office of the Prime Minister. We identified three issues and agreed that we needed to move people. The challenge then – he is aware that the neighbouring land is Semuliki National Park. We even went to the extent of coming up with a resolution that we could de- gazette part of that land. They then said we have to change the Constitution. We left that path and agreed that we get people who can sell land to the Government. Since that time, I am just getting information now. Because some of the facilities had been submerged, we relocated and constructed a health centre III. Madam Speaker, the Office of the Prime Minister is doing a lot. Now that we have people who are willing to sell their land, we shall get to Ntoroko and buy that land for the people. We even bought land in Kayunga. Do you remember the Shs 5 billion you wanted me to clarify on?

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Congratulations on your birthday. I would like to thank the Government for the support they have been giving Ntoroko on floods year in, year out. However, there is a little bit of a problem that I would request the Government to handle. For us, the floods are different from what is happening right now. People’s livelihoods are being affected because PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, the Woman Member of Parliament for Ntoroko attended the Tuesday meeting and those issues she talked about were brought to our attention. We took note of all her issues and I promise that we shall handle Ntoroko. We shall give permanent solutions because the President directed me to do it. We shall do it.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the honourable minister; he has attempted to be honest in this report. This report needs to include the human resource capacity at the mechanical workshops. It does not, at all, talk about the human resource in these workshops. Even if we have the equipment, they will not operate themselves. They will still be redundant. I was listening in – of course, I fall within the Mbarara Mechanical Workshop Region. The cries are the same from Kabale, Ntoroko to Kazo. He needed to tell us about the corporate governance structures in these workshops because the challenge is even in communication. Even when they cannot do something, you will never get the answer. Those mechanical workshops are kingdoms in themselves. I will give you an example: In Mbarara, there are three excavators. They said they got Shs 12 billion. That would mean that out of four, each got Shs 3 billion but all the three excavators are completely down. I attempted to check recently but all the machines are completely down. You now wonder: Even if it was poor resourcing, what does the Shs 3 billion even do, if not to at least service one excavator to be on standby? Finally, on this one, allow me to comment as a Member of Parliament. Kazo was split from Kiruhura in 2019. We got a grader which was supposed to be worked on; it needed Shs 150 billion. It is now 2023; it has been at the mechanical workshop and has never been worked on. Even with meagre resources, would it be impossible, in five years, for someone to prioritise and overhaul a grader? Mr Speaker, as you guided, I do not want to sound – Because I am conflicted in this matter since you have already referred it to my committee; I am personally touched because of the – (Member timed out.)

10388 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Government, through the Ministry of Water and Environment and the National Forestry Authority embarked on systematic reopening of the boundaries of the forest reserves (Central Forest Reserves and Local Forest Reserves) to deter encroachment by the forest adjacent communities. At gazettement, the forest reserve boundaries were marked with underground and above- ground mark stones which over the years have been used by the community in construction thereby demolishing the boundaries. NFA is currently using concrete mark stones (pillars) of about one metre, as I told you earlier, to mark the forest reserve boundaries. In some instances, we continue to register illegal land titles in forest reserves by individuals and/ or forest-adjacent communities who knowingly encroached on the forest reserves and do not want the boundaries to be reopened. The forest reserves are a national good; therefore, I request all leaders from the LCI up to MPs to sensitise the public on how to preserve our heritage. Question 5: Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda, Member of Parliament, Ntoroko County on the dire situation of health care services in Ntoroko District. His prayer is that Government should undertake an onsite assessment of the situation of health care services in Ntoroko District and report back to the House. Mr Speaker and colleagues, as you all know, I moved around the country. I have personally been able to go to Ntoroko a number of times. My Office has been able to construct a health centre III at Kanara. The Ministry of Health together with the political and technical leadership of Ntoroko District inspected four facilities to assess the state of health services with a particular focus on the state of the health infrastructure. The findings are as follows: Musandama Health Centre II, Karugutu Health Centre IV, Rwebisengo Health Centre IV and Rutungamo Health Centre III, which were started in the Financial Year 2019/2020 under UgIFT programme were all identified to have some gaps. Mr Speaker, in view of the above findings, Government shall consider this by providing both short-term and medium-term solutions or interventions to address some of the critical health infrastructure gaps in Ntoroko. Question No.6: Hon. Catherine Lamwaka, the District Woman Representative, Omoro District that the Ministry of Health and respective local governments should review the recruitment of local askaris (health facility watchmen) and their deployments. According to her, the watchmen of these health facilities in most cases have remained suspected for either conniving with or being accomplices to these criminals. Her prayer is: Can Government review the recruitment of local askaris in health facilities? Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, I wish to inform this august House that Government is equally concerned about the issues raised by the Hon. Lamwaka, regarding the safety of medicines and health supplies from health facilities. The Ministry of Health undertook a restructuring exercise together with the Ministry of Public Service, for the local government health facilities and there was an increase in the number of askaris for health centres IV from three to five, and for health centres III from two to three. Mr Speaker and colleagues, you need to know that the responsibility of ensuring that these askaris are recruited lies in the local governments and I believe that they will ensure that there are regulatory provisions for supervising these people and how to appraise them. Question No.7: Hon. Otaala, Member of Parliament, West Budama County South, Tororo. His question was: “Why is asbestos still used in some public structures – secondary

9217 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 I have organised a small map there, but you can see – (Laughter) We are showing only that part around the Rwenzori from Kibale National Park down up to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Lake Edward and when you enter Congo, we are showing from Bulibo through Virunga National Park, Kasindi, Mpondwe - We had this problem in Mpondwe and I am going to talk about it. You will know about Butembo, Butwe and Beni and those mountains after Rwenzori National Park. Madam Speaker, the ADF is mostly in the northern parts of the road from Kasindi to Beni. You can see Kasindi and Beni on the north- west. Kasindi is in the middle near Mpondwe and then Beni. The northern parts of that road and south of the road are occupied by UPDF and where the UPDF is operating from, life has come back to normal with the population settling back to economic production. For example, they have gone back to cocoa and coffee farming, shops are open and schools are running. All the shops, if I have to volunteer some information, are full of Ugandan goods. When you go to all these towns from Beni, Bunia, Masindi – but that is something else. In the DRC, where Congo allowed us to operate, the ADF could not go to camp there; they only remained in small groups. I used a Luganda word - bukunkumuka – When you have dry cow dung and you remove the lump, what remains is little. These remaining bukunkumuka; small, scattered remnants that cannot attack barracks and police stations - But why do they attack civilians and schools, killing innocent people? We are very sure that they do this: 1. To give themselves publicity. 2. To make the world know that they are still there. 3. To detract us (UPDF) back from attacking them in Congo in their main camps. We have denied them space locally, but we also need to finish them from their perennial hideouts in Congo and this country should not remain in this panic forever. What the ADF is doing is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. Otherwise, why don’t they attack military and police barracks or ambush army vehicles? As you know, Madam Speaker, when you burn a log, even the ash that we call evvu in Luganda, can get into your eyes and cause pain. The bukunkumuka should be wiped out or evvu well swept because all these can cause damage. They tried this in Ntoroko on 13 December 2022 and they were planning to do exactly what they did to this school recently. They were 51 when they attacked; out of the 51, 26 were put out of action. (Interjection) Yes, we counted them. When fighting, you are not blind. We counted them and 26 were put out of action and their bodies remained there. The remaining 25 were captured and we have them in prison. When we capture them, we do not kill them; we put them in prison. This was a bigger and well-armed group than that one of Lhubiriha, the recent Kasese group, which were less than 10 terrorists. We are carrying out investigations to establish and get answers to some pertinent questions, which everyone, including honourable Members, are asking: 1. Why didn’t people, both security and civilians, see them? 2. Why were there no identification or suspicion of new or strange faces? All these will be answered by all the investigations that are going on and the findings will avail these answers. We have already removed the logs, but we now need to remove the ash. Regarding this instant case, on 16 June 2023, at around 2300 hours (11.00 p.m.), suspected ADF rebels, numbering between five to 10, attacked Peter Hunter Secondary School, Nyabigando also known as Lhubiriha Mpondwe Secondary School in Kasese District. Following the attack, 37 students, one security guard who challenged the attackers and four other civilians were killed. That made it 41 lives lost, but we have

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. To begin with, I thank you, Madam Speaker, because immediately I received the tragic news, I contacted you and everybody in the security system, including the President. I thank you that not only did you receive my call, but you even opened your home for us to have a meeting on a way forward. I am meant to understand that we almost lost you because your pressure went up when you saw innocent citizens – school children; our future engineers, our doctors, our priests and our judges – murdered and had their lives brutally terminated in cold blood. We really appreciate you for the support you gave us. We also appreciate the support of the colleagues in the House. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. I thank the minister for the comprehensive report. Madam Speaker, you have just guided that we should not blame anybody. However, I think it is very important for us to say: “Never again.” Honourable minister, you indicated in your report that out of the 51 attackers in Ntoroko, 26 were put out of action and 25 have been taken captive by our forces. I wish the same really happened in Kasese. My prayers are: 1. We have about five people still in hospital. My estimation, Madam Speaker, is that where a hospital cannot manage their condition. It is no wonder that yesterday, we lost another life that was being managed in the ICU at Bwera Hospital. My prayer right now, because this cannot wait, is that the Government evacuates the five people and they are taken to better equipped hospitals, specifically Mbarara Hospital, which is not really very far from Kasese. We cannot afford to lose another life. It pains me because the woman that died yesterday had lost a husband. So, what are we going to tell these orphaned children? The only hope that they had was maybe the mother surviving to look after them. I think we have gone through enough as a community. Madam Speaker, through your directive, I am asking the Ministry of Health or ministers of health, that these citizens still fighting for their lives in Bwera Hospital should immediately be evacuated to Mbarara Hospital for further and better management. Two, my prayer, as I conclude, is on a way forward. The President responded to our requests as leaders from Kasese. Five million shillings was given to each bereaved family and we are really thankful to the President and the Commander of Defence Forces. However, we are asking for presence and deployment. The entire Kasese is insecure; the lake communities, the mountainous communities, the urban and village communities. We are asking that deployment that relates to the threat should be scaled up, and both soft and hardware capabilities should be scaled up in the community. Lastly, instead of our sons and daughters going back to their homes because that is what the parents ask for - this Parliament should direct the Ministers of Defence, Internal Affairs and Security to ensure that security, specifically in

9223 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2023 happened. We had a similar massacre in Kichwamba Technical College, just like the recent one. My plea to the Ministry of Defense and Veteran Affairs, as my friends have alluded to, is that we need serious deployment and combing the entire mountain. Madam Speaker, an attack on Kasese is not only for the people of Kasese, but the entire sub-region and country. Look at the mountain stretch from Kasese through Bunyangabo, Ntoroko up to Bundibugyo. Therefore, when the people of Kasese are in agony, the people across the mountain are all in pain. Madam Speaker, last weekend in Bundibugyo, security personnel arrested three ADF terrorists and it is on record. I would like to make an appeal that the combing should not only be done in Kasese, but also across the whole mountain because you are aware that it is hard to reach. In addition, the roads in that area are impassable. Like the minister alluded, security roads in the Congo have been worked upon. If they have been worked on, why not our roads on the mountain slopes? I so pray. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, I would like to inform the House that we have taken some time without answering some questions, but I have been updating the questions as time went on. On the 25 th of April, Hon. Rwemulikya Ibanda, MP Ntoroko, raised a concern regarding the delay by the Ministry of Public Service to recruit critical staff for Ntoroko District Local Government. His question was: “Why has the Ministry of Public Service delayed to approve the recruitment of critical staff for Ntoroko District Local Government?” My response is that Ntoroko District Local Government undertook recruitment without clearance by the Ministry of Public Service. They did not follow the laid-down recruitment procedures and the relevant appointing authority, the District Service Commission. As a result, a number of people who were recruited were eventually deactivated from the payroll, a matter which is before the court. The wage, which the district indicated to be in excess, therefore, includes wage for positions that were contested. Additionally, whereas some payroll categories are indicated to have excess wage, other categories have a deficit. The above situation of excess wage in the payroll category and deficit in the other category is the situation in most local governments. It is for this reason that a tripartite meeting was held between the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Local Government, and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on votes and wage

9230 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT district as a hard-to-reach area so as to benefit from funds earmarked for such areas. His questions are: a) What criteria is used to determine hard-to- reach areas? b) What is the possibility of including other areas in the hard-to-reach areas category? c) Which areas are categorised as hard-to- reach? My response is that the Ministry of Public Service observed that there were areas in some local governments that had consistently failed to attract and retain skilled and capable human resource, leading to inadequacies and gaps in the delivery of services. This was observed through inspection reports, support supervision exercises and payroll status reports. These areas were, therefore, defined as hard to reach. Hard-to-reach areas are defined as remote or insecure areas that are unable to attract and retain sufficient numbers of motivated staff because of difficult living conditions. They are, therefore, “hard to work in and hard to stay in.” These areas are characterised by remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure, among others. In the Financial Year 2010-2011, Government approved payment of hardship allowances of 30 per cent of the basic monthly salary for public officers working in the local governments defined as hard to reach. The following 24 areas are categorised as hard-to-reach: Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim, Moroto, Kaabong, Pader, Kitgum, Nwoya, Amuru, Kalangala, Gulu, Bundibugyo, Adjumani, Kisoro, Kanungu, Bukwo, Ntoroko, Buvuma, Lamwo, Namayingo, Napak, Mayuge (specifically Malonge Island), Bugiri (specifically Sigulu Island), and Mukono (specifically Koome Islands). Over the years, the Ministry of Public Service has received requests from various local governments to be considered hard-to-reach areas. Consequently, the ministry carried out a study, in the year 2020, in order to review the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country based on the criteria of remoteness, insecurity and poor infrastructure. Out of the 63 districts that had requested to be considered, 54 were found to have hard- to-reach and hard-to-stay spots eligible for payment of the hard-to-reach allowance. In total, 340 hard-to-reach spots were identified as the qualifying localities within the 54 districts. Madam Speaker, allow me to lay, on the Table, a full list of the hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay areas in the country. In the interest of time, Members can access it. Madam Speaker, based on the criteria used, I would like to inform the honourable member that Rubanda was not categorised as a hard-to- reach and hard-to-stay district. It is also important to note that the Ministry of Public Service has not yet implemented the revised Hard-to-Reach Framework. The current priority of the Government is the salary enhancement of all public officers in a phased approach. Madam Speaker, I got another question from Hon. Francis Adome, MP for Moroto Municipality. His question was to know the Government’s plan to rehabilitate government- aided schools in Karamoja. My response is that the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with education development partners, has been providing infrastructure support to both primary and post-primary institutions in the Karamoja subregion. All the post-primary institutions (11 secondary schools and two PTCs) benefitted from infrastructure support under the Irish Aid. All secondary schools in the Karamoja subregion implementing Universal Secondary Education were provided with additional infrastructure under the World Bank support and were provided with additional classrooms to attain the recommended classroom-student ratio of 1:60. [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The Association of Fishers and Lake Users of Uganda had asked for an extension of the deadline for the licensing of fisheries from 31 March 2023, due to insufficient funds as a result of dwindling stocks. His prayer was that I update the House on the fate of the fishermen who were not able to meet the deadline. Madam Speaker, this is my response. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries had earlier set 31 March 2023 as the deadline for issuing new licences this year. Non-compliant fishermen risked being denied access to the water bodies after the deadline. After receiving numerous complaints from sector players including the fishers, processors, transporters, and boat makers, the ministry found it imperative to extend the deadline and allow them time to look for money to pay for the license. The ministry, therefore, extended the deadline for licensing fisheries activities for two months. Madam Speaker and Members, the fishers without valid fishing licenses will not be allowed to operate effectively this month. Those who fail to utilise the two-month grace period to clear the license fees will not access the water bodies. After the deadline, the ministry will focus on compliance and enforcement on all water bodies. Therefore, I urge the fishers to take advantage of the grace period. Hon. Anne Mary Tumwine Woman MP for Ntoroko said that Ntoroko District lacks a standard livestock market; the livestock traders operate in an open space without any friendly user facility and have, for so long, decried the lack of a loading bay and conducive working environment. (Interjections) This is the last question, brother. Her question is: “What is the Government’s plan for livestock farmers in Ntoroko District?” My response is that in February this year, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Local Government under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) programme launched the construction of projects worth Shs 2 Billion in Ntoroko District. The project includes the construction of the Butungama Livestock Market and the Nyakakote Water Gravity Flow Scheme. The infrastructure will enable the Ntoroko community to participate in the economy and the Country’s development agenda. Once the livestock market is completed, it will go a long way in boosting the district’s local revenue and also provide a favourable environment for the livestock farmers to carry out trade without any hindrances. Madam Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Is the motion seconded? (Members rose _) Okay, it is seconded by the Minister of State for Bunyoro Affairs, Hajjat, Hon. Obigah, the honourable Member for Ntoroko, Hon. Avur, the Member for Army, Rose, Hon. Odur Jonathan, Hon. Aogan, Budu, Nsereko –(Laughter) - Wilson, Zombo, Xavier – okay, seconded by the Whole House and the honourable Woman Member for Masindi; also known as the Queen Dancer. (Laughter) Would you like to speak to your Bill?

Madam Speaker, as I had said, there are local government entities that are equally performing well, with very high absorption levels. These local governments include Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality, Ibanda District, Rukungiri District, Kamwenge and many others. There are also districts that have performed terribly and need to be mentioned. These include Mbarara City with 67 per cent absorption capacity, Ntungamo (64 per cent), Ntoroko (76 per cent), Fort Portal City (77 per cent), Hoima City (77 per cent) and Kabale Municipal Council (77 per cent). These were below expectations. Madam Speaker, we have provided recommendations – and just to be specific, most of the local governments explained that their poor absorption was majorly rotating around the failure to recruit, failure to have teachers posted by Ministry of Education and Sports as well as the issue of USMID, where large sums of monies meant for road works were returned because the procurement processes got delayed. There was also the issue of delayed completion of projections under UGIFT. Madam Speaker, we have provided recommendations. 1. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should account for the under-release of funds to the local governments. 2. Entities whose absorption of funds was below 80 per cent should be subjected to further investigation to ascertain the underlying factors for the gross underperformance. 3. The accounting officers should develop clear revenue enhancement plans to assist the districts in future revenue mobilisation. 4. Finally, accounting officers should make a follow up with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development on the shortfalls affecting service delivery. 3.2 Government preparedness to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM)

AaoE t IUOXI 2.641.590.231 a?2 Kuru Drarrct 3.12?.276.O3? 8?4 l(w€cn DrBtact 2.S13.244.44r a?5 Kv3nkwanzr Dlltnct (v.a.rn a DBtnct 3.?59.6S3.088 8?6 4.o24.29?.ort a?? Kvcnlorc Dratirct 2 _416.465.592 a7a l(lbtara D8tnct 4 2U2.?t3.901 2?9 aal Luuka Dl3tnct r.262.029.018 2.r??.344.?5t aa2 Luwcm Dratnct 1.75,+.589.6 t3 883 Lwcmo Orstrrct | .455.??? .396 ae4 Lvantotrdc DBtrrct | .192 e?? .t tq aas Madr-Okollo Dlltrlct 3.6? t.664.2?9 886 Ma,la.ira Dtstnct l4t3.2lo.5ol 88? Mrracha Drstnct 1.74S.705.651 aa8 Maseka Drctnct 1.240-43r.S92 aa9 Ma8mdr Olltnct aqo Maurec Dlgtn t 3.?O3.70r.655 MbeL Dlatnct 1.385.€ r.308 89r 446.064.r?? 492 Mbarara DBtnct 4_624.36S.316 893 Mrtooda DGtnct 8q4 s28.6S3.639 933.468.976 895 496 1.203.?45.e?6 586.259.033 a9? MDrEr D[tnct 3.320.517.O17 a9a Mubandc Dlstalct 5qa-912.475 ags Mukono Dtltnct gol NsLabrnEmt Dlstnct 8ro.455.859 Naka.ckc Dllrn t 2.164.1O4.829 902 r.153.241.r l3 903 NakaloaPola Drstnct r.s90.39 r.095 90,+ Nrmavrn[o D8tnct r-466.r23.OOO qos Narl'lsmdl,a Dr3tnct 906 Nernuturnba Drstact L.O92.?aO.49 1.599.026.582 90? Naoak OBtrrct 2.460.O5,+.699 904 Ncbbr DBtnct gog Mrora Drctnct 308,S?O,186 2.642.?92.t51 910 Ntoroko Dlstnct 1.632.146.86,+ 91r Ntunca-ao Orctnct 259.420.4?A 912 Nwova Dtlt .t ql3 Otanor Drctnct 3.36s.438.040 954.565.866 914 Omoro Dratirct 1.O19.564.245 9rs Otukc Drctnct 4.142.o75.455 916 Ov3.Ilr DEtflct 9l? P:d.r Dtstnct .t- f\ 2 129 .065 .49? ( q A.e, r\$,lA - XU

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Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance in regard to the failure by the Minister of Public Service to grant Ntoroko Local District the clearance to recruit critical staff. Mr Speaker, Ntoroko District secured a wage of Shs 2.9 billion for recruitment. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Ntoroko District has written several letters about the same but all in vain. I also personally wrote on 7 September 2022 and on 6 March 2023 about the same matter but with no response. Ntoroko District lacks critical staff in different departments, hence affecting service delivery. My prayers are that the Minister of Public Service should explain to this august House and the country, the reasons for his refusal to clear Ntoroko District to carry out this recruitment. Secondly, the Minister of Public Service should give Ntoroko District clearance to recruit with a view to saving the wage from being swept back to the Treasury at the end of this financial year. Lastly is that the Minister of Public Service should come and assure us of reverting the wage in case it is swept back at the end of this financial year. I beg to submit.

Madam Speaker, it was demolished. They alleged that it carried some ghosts and that some women were suffering miscarriages because of that machine. I do not know. Disaster Risk Management Plan The Disaster Risk Management Plan was approved by Cabinet and presented before Parliament in November 2022. The document was launched in a bid to attain donor support on 21 September 2023 with a letter requesting for support also written. Funds are still being awaited from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to embark on the implementation of the planned activities. Disaster Preparedness and Management Bill The regulatory impact assessment was conducted and the principles are ready to be tabled before Cabinet this April. A tentative roadmap was developed as we await the approval of the principles. Resettlement through physical relocation and cash transfers to vulnerable households Following the completion of the additional 42 houses in Bunambutye Resettlement Area in Bulambuli District, a team is on the ground right now to ensure that 42 households that are highly prone to landslides are relocated and resettled from across five districts in Elgon subregion by the end of this week. This shall bring the total number of houses completed in Bunambutye to 305. An additional 50 houses have been planned for construction during quarter four of Financial Year 2022/2023. Further to the above, we are implementing a cash transfer strategy that was approved by the Cabinet on 12 September 2022 as a suitable option to resettle people at risk of landslides in Elgon sub-region. With the support of Give Direct International, a partner, 4,000 households have been targeted from the high-risk districts of Bududa (2,050), Manafwa (900), Namisindwa (500) and Sironko (550). Identification and registration in Bududa District has been completed for 2,116 households and validation is ongoing. Registration is on-going in Manafwa to be followed by Sironko and Namisindwa districts respectively. Each registered household at high risk of landslides in Elgon sub-region will be supported with around Shs 17 million. Shs 10 million is from the Government of Uganda and the NGO – Give Direct – will give Shs 7 million to each beneficiary. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the districts of Kasese, Kayunga and Ntoroko Land was identified and bought to resettle internally-displaced persons from the districts of Kasese and Kayunga. A total of 200 acres has been secured in each of the districts.

7826 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Additionally, relief food and tarpaulins have been sent to Kasese and Ntoroko for the IDPs in the camps during this month of March. We also sent 20,000 kilogrammes of maize flour and 10,000 kilogrammes of beans to each of these districts, with 164 and 100 pieces of tarpaulins respectively. On food security Basing on the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) food security bulletin projections of September 2022 to January 2023 and U-NIEWS Bulletin, Karamoja was predicted to face food insecurity. Subsequently, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development released Shs 20 billion for relief food for Karamoja and other areas across the country. A projected amount of 3,348,200 kilogrammes of maize and 1,674,100 kilogrammes of beans is to be procured. Relief interventions will be provided on a case by case basis from the MAM impact on other regions in the country. Assessments and continuous monitoring of the hazard events A food security and nutrition assessment with support from UN agencies and OPM, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Health, is being conducted in Karamoja to inform the food security and nutrition status for the coming period. Continuous monitoring of hazard events in addition to updates from the district disaster management committees, through the National Emergency Coordination and Operation Centre (NECOC), is ongoing. Products from UNMA such as the 10 days forecast shall inform on the progress of the rain. The Government of Uganda is partnering with the Uganda Red Cross Society to strengthen community-based disaster risk reductions and management. Early warning systems/ messages, assessments and community preparedness plans are some of the activities undertaken to build community resilience to hazards and disasters. Reporting through the NECOC toll free line – we all know the number - 0800-177777 – especially for human-induced hazards has been done and is continuously being taken. Madam Speaker, as I conclude, these are some of the key challenges faced by our department. No funding has been advanced to the Disaster Risk Management Plan by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development since it was approved by Cabinet on 11 July 2022. The funding requirement for the short- term period between 2022/2023 to 2024/2025, equivalent to the presidential pledge of US$ 50 million (Shs 185 billion) has not yet been released from a total of Shs 867 billion over the 10 years. Similarly, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is yet to release the Government of Uganda component under the cash transfer for resettlement in the Elgon subregion. The amount of relief food required vis-a-vis the frequency and magnitude of disasters is high. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

7025 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY 2023 Mr Speaker, for us who stay at the border with Congo, we know a lot of things and see a lot of trouble with the ADF; the havoc they cause across Congo. And recently, we also saw their wrath when they invaded Ntoroko. However, the issue is that honourable minister, your operation – because we know the areas in Congo where the soldiers are now stationed; they are in the areas of Boga, Mitego and Tshabi. However, they have not really covered the place - because we have areas like Geti, Kasenyi, Kyomya, Bunia where the ADF is still operating. They are concentrating on the other side of Beni, Mitego, Boga and they are leaving a wider area for the ADF to operate. Even in the areas of Kasenyi to Bunia, people are still being slaughtered on the way. Therefore, I would like to seek the indulgence of the minister that if the UPDF want to do a great job – because I know the UPDF can do a great job in Congo - they should also occupy areas of Geti, Kasenyi, Kyomya, Bunia up to Commander, so that the ADF is wiped out of that country. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

7028 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Therefore, we are dealing with the question of compliance with the law, as opposed to the justification for the deployment - this should be understood from the onset. The Constitution and the UPDF Act, under Sections 39 and 40, recognise that there may be circumstances where the army would be deployed outside the country. Under Section 39, there are for peacekeeping or peace enforcement. Peacekeeping and peace enforcement should be in line with Charters No. 6 and 7 of the United Nations Charter. The statement that has been brought here falls short of the requirement of coming to this House to seek for the approval envisaged under the Act. The minister has not come here to seek for that approval. Therefore, I move that this statement be rejected until the minister comes to seek the approval that we require. Nobody is objecting to the justification to go into Congo, but it must comply that you are coming here to ask Parliament to approve because it says the President may deploy. Mr Speaker, to make the Members see the point, under Section 39; it actually says that if Parliament is in recess, the Speaker is commanded to summon the House within 21 days. That means that as soon as the deployment is done, the minister ought to have come here to report. Therefore, that is an indictment on the ministry for undermining the authority of Parliament in this matter. Secondly, Mr Speaker, under Section 40 of the UPDF Act, there could be a bilateral or multilateral arrangement for the deployment. Even then, it is stated that the Memorandum of Understanding must be brought to Parliament. Why? Because we do not want our soldiers who are deployed in the DRC, for example, if they commit a crime there, what happens? Which law will apply? We want to see from the MoU, has the DRC consented that if one of our soldiers has been arrested for committing a crime, they will be repatriated back to be tried here, or will they try them under the Congolese system, which is a different criminal jurisdiction from what we practice here in Uganda. So, that Memorandum of Understanding has not even been laid here before Parliament. Lastly, Mr Speaker, we understand that it is now more than a year since the UPDF went there. This report appears to capture only the initial period of operation. The report appears to suggest that the achievements, which we saw the President talk about and the ministers, are not updated up to now. If we have moved deep inside Congo, for example, to hunt and we have annihilated them from there, why is it that we still see them coming easily into Ntoroko? Where is the intelligence system? Is there any justification at all to go there or now you have to come back and deal with them since they have already penetrated the country, and they are inside Uganda? I beg to submit.

6845 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 2023 First of all, the health centre of Rwebisengo was a health centre II, upgraded to health centre III without consideration of infrastructure development. Then, they again upgraded it from health centre III to health centre IV with no consideration of any infrastructure development. Madam Speaker, people are being treated - especially outpatients - in isolation tents that were meant to treat Ebola patients. These are very hot and a health threat to the patients who are being treated there. I have been communicating to the ministry for a very long time. I have all correspondences here but with no action taken. My prayers are: 1. The ministry should send a technical team to Ntoroko to assess the situation with a view to finding a remedy. 2. In this coming financial year, the outpatient block should be factored in the budget so that it brings relief because patients are not getting the services they need. I beg to submit, Madam Speaker.

I want to assure the honourable member that as part of the team, now that the issue has come in, I want to state that I personally will get in touch with Hon. Ibanda and I shall move to Ntoroko with a technical team. I thank you.

6813 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2023 Therefore, we strongly opine that the accounting officer should ensure that the reporting in the financial statements is made in line with the actual expenditure to avoid this confusion. Also, the accounting officer should always seek the necessary authority to reallocate funds. The next item is revenue performance. There is the performance of NTR. I am going to skip a few things again for lack of time, as you guided Madam Speaker, and look at observations. The Ministry of Works and Transport did not make a provision for non-tax revenues in the ministerial policy statement. Thus, UNRA did not budget for the same. Failure to set NTR collection targets in the budget affects the assessment of revenue performance to ascertain whether the forecasted revenue was realised as planned and managed as per the established laws and guidelines for development purposes. Our recommendation is that the Ministry of Works and Transport should always provide for NTR in the ministerial policy statement to enable UNRA to budget as provided for in section 13(15) (f) of the PFMA, 2015, as amended. This is a ball we are throwing back to the ministry because the excuse of UNRA is the ministry - and rightly so-within the law, supposed to deal with this issue. The next item is quantification of outputs under activities. Again, Madam Speaker, I will skip part of that body and look at observations. Here, we were talking about failure to plan and report on the quality and quantity of activities that are implemented, which renders it difficult to establish individual activity costs for each planned output, and thus curtails effective accountability when funds are subsequently spent. Further, without clearly spelt out planned outputs, it is difficult to ascertain whether funds appropriated by Parliament and released were spent and the intended objectives achieved. Again, this was a question of a bit of disorganisation in as far as the documentation and the paperwork is concerned. We opine that the accounting officer should ensure that unit costing at activity level is provided to facilitate linkage of inputs to expenditure and physical achievements, which are in line with the budgeted amount. That is what was missing. It is important that this costing is done as such. The other item is implementation of quantified outputs. 35 outputs worth Shs 2.49 trillion were quantified and we noted a couple of things. 19 of these were implemented, 14 partially achieved and two were not implemented at all. UNRA did not implement the following planned activities despite having received the required funds: 1. Procurement of rescue and support under the improvement of ferry services; 2. Construction of 10 kilometre equivalents along package six; that is, Karugutu, Ntoroko and Kabwoya-Buhuka; 3. Construction of 10 Kilometre equivalents along Rwenkunye- Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road; 4. Civil works for the construction of UNRA offices, works for construction of Kamdini Weigh station; 5. Design and build of Ibanda Weighbridge; 6. Rehabilitation of 40 Kilometre equivalents along North Eastern Road-Corridor Asset Management Project. The accounting officer explained that the non- implementation of some key activities was due to inadequate funds for planned projects coupled with the diverting of funds from slow moving projects to fast moving projects. This was, however, not supported with the revised work plan. The accounting officer also provided the following reasons for implementation of the sampled projects:

6814 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT 1. Procurement of rescue and support under the improvement of ferry services. The initial plan was to procure the rescue boats off the shelf. However, this was changed due to the need to customise the rescue boats to the specific needs of the different ferry routes. The customisation process delayed hence resulting into delayed procurement. 2. Construction of 10 Kilometre equivalents along package six (Karugutu-Ntoroko and Kabwoya-Buhuka). The accounting officer told us that this was caused by delayed procurement. 3. Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Acholibur Road, there was need to update the design. This has since been finalised and designs issued to the contractor and works are ongoing. 4. The civil works for construction of UNRA offices - delayed procurement. 5. Works for construction of Kamdini Weigh station, the delay was due to the need to standardise the design in line with the requirement of tripartite transporters facilitation programme. 6. The North Eastern Road Corridor Asset Management Programme - the accounting officer told us that there was a delay in the approval of changes in scope arising out of design changes due to an increase in traffic along the road and the delay in approval of the contractor for the road and sources of materials by World Bank. We observed that: 1. Whereas UNRA claimed inadequate funding, the amount warranted to the entity was not fully absorbed. Shs 227.4 billion remained unspent. 2. The committee notes that partial or non- implementation of activities implies that the expected service to the beneficiary communities is not attained and also defeats the purpose for budgeting and budgetary controls. Our strong opinion is that the accounting officer should ensure that plans are executed according to the approved budget, the reasons and excuses they gave, notwithstanding. The other item is achievement of intended services from implemented outputs. We have a table there. I will just move to the observations. 1. Some of the projects are slow moving, which has greatly affected their completion and, therefore, affected service delivery. 2. There were delayed projects that lagged behind their completion dates. That also affects service delivery. We recommend that: 1. The accounting officer should ensure that slow moving projects are fast-tracked. Hopefully, the Treasury Memoranda will be getting an update as Parliament on this. 2. Strict timelines should be set to avoid costs associated with delayed completion of projects. The other item was submission of quarterly performance reports. We have a table here. All of these were delayed. Maybe, just for context, it was noted that the entity submitted performance reports after the deadline given for submission. Table 2 clearly indicates that all of those were deleted. The accounting officer responded that the timelines of submission of semi-annual and annual budget performance reports is 31 January and 31 July respectively, as guided by the PFM Regulations of 2016. Further, that the PS/ST guided in the budget execution circular that the other two reports, that is quarter one and three, should be submitted on the 30th day of the first month of the current quarter because of the need to finalise reconciliations.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for the opportu - nity. I also thank the chairperson and the team for the wonderful report. I appeal to Members to adopt this report. I am very concerned about delayed implementation of some projects like the Karugutu-Ntoroko road. Since 2016, this road has been on procurement up to now. The other day, honourable minister, I asked you in the committee what was happening with the procurement of this road. It is the only tarmac road that we would have in Ntoroko. The Ministry of Works and Transport constructed a good one-stop border point to facilitate trade between Uganda and Congo, but the fact is that the road is very bad. I would like the minister to tell us today so that as people’s representative, I take the news to Ntoroko that this project is not attainable. Secondly, is the issue of delayed payment of PAPs. The fact is that when PAPs are mentioned and evaluated, they are not willing to do any other work on that piece of land. For almost six years, there has been no development and people are not using their lands because they are PAPs, which is very disturbing. The last is about the issue of payment of contractors. Madam Speaker, the other day, UNRA told us that they have Shs 599 billion and that that is the money that they need to pay contractors. It accrues to almost Shs 200 million interest per day. This is haemorrhage. It is very disturbing and we really want to beg Parliament that in this appropriation, we should add these monies so that UNRA pays the contractors so that Government does not continue losing money. Madam Speaker, Shs 250 million per day is a lot of money, which can do a lot of work in hospitals and schools. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. I would also like to congratulate you and the honourable members for having finished the old year and beginning this New Year, 2023. I wish you all the best. Mr Speaker and honourable colleagues, you know what happened in Ntoroko. Many of our residents of Bwelamule and Kibuku Town Council fled their areas for safety. Others were critically injured. First, I would like to thank our mighty force, the UPDF, for a job well done. I think Ntoroko is now safe and the people are beginning to return to their homes. I want, in particular, to thank our Division Commander, Gen. Dick Olumu and our Commander of the Ninth Battalion, Col. Saul Nimbimanya, for the work well done with our Wanainchi . Mr Speaker, I would also like to thank you, and the Rt Hon. Speaker together with the Prime Minister, for the efforts in getting food relief to our displaced people. My prayers are that: We urgently need food relief for the displaced people because some of them fear going back to their places. Secondly, we need medical support for the two citizens who were critically injured - some of them are receiving treatment at the Mulago National Referral Hospital. They are from peasant families who really need support from the Government. I beg to submit, Mr Speaker. Thank you.

Mr Speaker and honourable members, permit me to also salute Parliament, on behalf of the Executive arm of Government, for the works executed in the year 2022 and for crossing over to the year 2023. We wish all of you a prosperous New Year. On the subject matter raised by the honourable member from Ntoroko, I undertake to have a discussion with him to see how best the team that he talked about, which is currently receiving medical attention, can be helped. I beg to undertake. Thank you.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I want to also join colleagues in paying tribute to our fallen comrade, Hon. Okabe. I travelled from Ntoroko, an area that recently had ADF incursions from DRC Congo, and I want to thank you, personally. You took the time to call me and sympathised with the people of Ntoroko. In addition, I want to thank our people and the Government of Uganda, through the UPDF, for what it is doing though the situation is not yet stable. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Ntoroko, I extend my sincere condolences to you, the Deputy Speaker, the family, the Parliament of Uganda, the Teso region and Uganda at large for this great loss. I knew the late in the 10 th Parliament and what I really realised about him is that he was a God-fearing person; he did not forget his God. When some people get into other jobs, they forget what they had been doing before. Because of our schedules as Members of Parliament, sometimes, we forget what we have been doing. Hon. Okabe, as a person, was still preaching and doing the work of God, which is not easy for some of us. Secondly, as Members of Parliament – to be an Independent – I am an Independent Member of Parliament and so, people say that we are orphans in this Parliament, but the fact is that we are not. We have you as our parent, but the fact that –(Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. There was a loan passed here in December 2018 and it was supposed to be used to work on roads in some districts and Ntoroko was one of those to benefit. The road had no objection; the Solicitor-General approved it, but up to today, the works on this road have not started. I would like to know from the Minister of Local Government - because it is the ministry that acquired the loan - what happened and when is it going to be worked on. The road is called Rwebisengo-Kiranga and it is found in Ntoroko District.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the honourable minister and the shadow minister. The people who should be fighting corruption should be those who are non-corrupt, bold, and determined to fight corruption in this country. I want to thank her so much, because recently in Ntoroko, we had a very big problem with our CAO. The CAO had become a parasite but I thank you because you cleaned Ntoroko. The people of Ntoroko appreciate you very much. We are beginning to settle. Mr Speaker, we have a problem, which comes with investigations. When investigations begin - there are people who shield corrupt people in this country. You hear of calls from “above.” “He is from my region and/or a person of my religion”, but corruption has no religion. Corruption has no tribe. It is about our country; it is about Uganda. Secondly, why don’t we begin attaching properties of these corrupt people? People have mansions and arcades. They go to jail but their people continue benefiting from these properties. Government should go for the properties of those corrupt people. Mr Speaker, there is something called life style audit. I totally agree with the life style audit approach. I do not want to go into the statement of His Excellency the President, but the fact is that we need to start gauging what someone earns vis-à-vis what they own. You find someone has mushroomed a lot of property – we should go for such people to understand how they have achieved such wealth. We need to know how some of them got to driving cars worth Shs 600 million. Where are they getting this money? I think a life style audit should be something to go for. Lastly, on the issue of prosecution, I agree with the shadow minister, people do not have successful prosecution in this – (Member timed out.)

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

5897 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 2022 2. Purchase of land, relocation and resettlement of the flood victims as well as continuous supply of food and non-food items. My prayers; i) The Office of the Prime Minister should come and update this House – and the people of Ntoroko want to know – on how far they have gone with the progress of acquiring land and relocating these flood victims. ii) We need urgent supply of tarpaulins because these people are living in shelters; it is a rainy season. They are living in an appalling situation. I submit. Thank you.