Rukiga District

Hon. Dr Sylvia Tumuheirwe Alinaitwe, Woman MP for Rukiga.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The matter I am putting forward concerns Kasambya Health Centre III in Rukiga, which has collapsed on one side which houses the maternity. We have a challenge of women who go to give birth and are now doing so at home, which is a risk to mother and baby. The remaining side of the health centre has developed cracks and is likely to collapse any time. This health centre III serves a big community in Rukiga and neighbouring communities of Rubanda and Rukungiri districts. I request that this facility be given urgent attention and restored for service delivery to go on smoothly.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Allow me to add my voice to those who have already spoken to appreciate our dear President for a very rich State of the Nation Address that we are discussing right now. When you look at it, it gives detailed accountability on where we have come as a country, where we are right now, and where we are going. The focus areas that he elaborated very well in the address touch all of us. We all believe that this is the way to go. I will limit my submission to commercial agriculture. It is what is very dear to us, the people of Rukiga. People of Rukiga, as you know, come from a very populated area and therefore face a problem of land scarcity. In the State-of-the-Nation address, the President elaborated on commercial agriculture, especially coffee production. We embraced coffee production because it grows well with other crops. There was a programme that was recently launched in Rukiga by State House local content about the national coffee programme, which came to us because we had already made some steps towards coffee production and was presided over by Vice President and a special guest, the Minister of State for Investment, Ms Amina. During that launch, we pleaded with the team about the need for coffee seedlings and a hauling machine for one of the subcounties which grows a lot of coffee, and they promised to come to our rescue. Rains are coming; farmers have already dug their holes, and we are looking forward to receiving the seedlings. We know there could be some pressure - (Member timed out.)

For the record, Rubanda patients are 130, Kabale has 220 patients, Rukungiri 190, Kanungu 170, Kisoro 150 and Rukiga 100 patients’ increment every single year. The most frequently diagnosed types of cancer in Kigezi are: cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and sarcoma cancer, to mention but a few. My prayer to the Government is to ensure that it prioritises a cancer centre for Kigezi and at least each village has a knapsack sprayer. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I was an economist in this Parliament and I am very grateful to the people of Rukiga and God for enabling me to cross from the corridors to this Chamber. I rise to support this motion, Mr Speaker. I listened to the address through an economic lens, and I was happy to note that the economy has grown 17-fold, from $3.9 billion in 1986 to $69.3 billion today. The poverty level has declined, life expectancy has risen, and our economic growth now stands at 6.4 per cent and is accelerating towards 10 per cent, which reveals to us that the ambition of the $500 billion economy is no longer a distant dream but a realistic trajectory. Mr Speaker, we cannot talk about transformation of the economy when the transformation of our communities is lagging behind. I want to commend the President for the Parish Development Model, a presentation he delivered in great detail via video, which revealed to us that people’s lives are being transformed and that they are entering the money economy. What we need to do now is to strengthen oversight, improve recovery rates, and ensure that this Parish Development Model actually revolves and extends to all households.

I am trying to see if there is an honourable colleague from Karamoja - I know why I am doing that. I have a short time - honourable colleagues, first sit. We do not usually spend much time debating such statements because we are not going to make a resolution that we can extract. I usually want to do a representative arrangement, picking from each sub-region. For example, I have already picked from Rukiga and West Nile; like that.

Thank you. Yes, I had picked the Member for Rukiga then Hon. Okia, Hon. Kenny Auma, and Hon. Sharifah Aate.

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

1 Wednesday, 13 May 2026 and subsequently forwarded to the Clerk to Parliament, a list of persons duly elected as Members of the 12th Parliament; AWARE that under Article 81(4) and (5) of the Constitution, every person elected to Parliament shall take and subscribe to the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament specified in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, and shall not, except for purposes of taking the oath, sit or vote in Parliament before taking and subscribing to the Oath; NOTING that Section 2 of the Oaths Act, Cap. 19 of the Laws of Uganda, mandates the Speaker of Parliament or the Clerk to Parliament to tender the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of a Member of Parliament to a person elected to Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, by the powers conferred upon me by law, I will proceed to administer the Oath of Allegiance and the Oath of Member of Parliament to each Member-elect .” IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIRST SESSION - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 8.00 a.m. at Parliament House, Kampala. (The Clerk to Parliament, Mr Adolf Mwesige Kasaija, presiding.) The Uganda National Anthem The East African Community Anthem PRAYERS PROCLAMATION CLERK TO PARLIAMENT: “ WHEREAS the Electoral Commission organised and conducted the elections of Members of Parliament specified under Article 78(1)(a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda; AND WHEREAS the Electoral Commission, under General Notice No. 171 of 2026, published, in the Uganda Gazette, the results of the 2026 parliamentary elections ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS The oaths were administered to: Name Constituency District Political Party/ Independent 1. Asiimwe Enos K. Kabula County Lyantonde NRM 2. Ali Moses Adjumani West County Adjumani NRM 3. Odongo Jeje Abubakhar Orungo County Amuria Independent 4. Alinaitwe Sylvia Tumuheirwe District Woman Representative Rukiga NRM 5. Ababiku Jesca District Woman Representative Adjumani NRM

3 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY 2026 57. Alum Santa Sandra Ogwang District Woman Representative Oyam UPC 58. Akoth Angella Nzokire District Woman Representative Tororo Independent 59. Alero Tom Aza West Moyo County Moyo NRM 60. Anywar Ricky Richard Agago West County Agago NRM 61. Aogon Silas Kumi Municipality Kumi Independent 62. Aol Betty Ocan City Woman Representative Gulu City PFF 63. Arinaitwe Jeniva District Woman Representative Rubirizi NRM 64. Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka Workers Representative N/A NRM 65. Aseera Stephen Buhaguzi East County Kikuube NRM 66. Asiimwe Florence Akiiki District Woman Representative Masindi NRM 67. Attan Okia Moses Soroti East County Soroti City FDC 68. Kiconco Katabaazi Patrick Rukiga County Rukiga NRM 69. Atuhwereire Arthur Kazoora Ruhinda South County Mitooma NRM 70. Atukunda Rebecca Mubangizi District Woman Representative Kassanda NRM 71. Atuto Jacinta District Woman Representative Kapelebyong NRM 72. Atwijukire Boaz Katerera County Rubirizi Independent 73. Alupo Jessica Rose Epel District Woman Representative Katakwi NRM 74. Atwijukire Dan Kimosho Kazo County Kazo NRM 75. Acora Nancy Odonga District Woman Representative Lamwo NRM 76. Atyang Stella District Woman Representative Moroto NRM 77. Auma Janet District Woman Representative Amolatar UPC 78. Auma Kenny District Woman Representative Kwania UPC 79. Avako Melsa Naima Gule District Woman Representative Yumbe NRM 80. Anyango Janet Hope District Woman Representative Busia NRM 81. Ayagalachi Jamali Bukooli County Bugiri NUP 82. Achia Remigio Pian County Nabilatuk NRM 83. Ayepa Michael Labwor County Abim NRM 84. Ayoo Janeth Phoebe Obol District Woman Representative Gulu NRM 85. Apolot Christine District Woman Representative Kumi Independent 86. Ayume Charles Koboko Municipality Koboko NRM 87. Avur Jane Pacuto District Woman Representative Pakwach NRM 88. Atugonza Allan Buliisa County Buliisa NRM 89. Baatom Ben Koryang Dodoth West County Karenga NRM 90. Babirye Kityo Sarah Bukoto County East Masaka NRM 91. Babirye Milly Babalanda Budiope West County Buyende NRM 92. Ariko Herbert Edmund Okworo Gweri County Soroti NRM 93. Kakooza James Older Persons Representative Central NRM 94. Awor Betty Engola District Woman Representative Apac NRM 95. Engola Sam Erute County South Lira NRM 96. Baryomunsi Chris Kinkizi County East Kanungu NRM 97. Nabbanja Robinah District Woman Representative Kakumiro NRM (The House was suspended at 11.38 a.m.) (On resumption at 1.29 p.m., the Clerk presiding.) 98. Auma Linda Agnes District Woman Representative Lira NRM 99. Babanga Wilfred Erima Terego East County Terego NRM 100. Babula Noel Kataike Matilda District Woman Representative Budaka NRM 101. Bahireira Sylivia Tumwekwase District Woman Representative Kamwenge NRM 102. Bakireke Nambooze Betty Mukono Municipality Mukono NUP

18873 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 welcome. Stop that Nugu . Can you clap for my Members? (Applause) We have Hon. Karungi Annet, Woman MP- elect, Kabarole District. Hon. Tumwesigye Anthony, Isingiro West County. Hon. Katooko Sylvia, Woman MP-elect, Kibuku. Hon. Goire Moses, Budaka County. Hon. Alinaitwe Sylvia, Woman MP-elect Rukiga, and Hon. Ntabazi Harriet from Bwamba County. You are all most welcome. ( Applause ) In the VIP Gallery, we also have the former Member of Parliament and the Secretary- General of the Uganda People’s Congress, Hon. Ebil Fred. They are all here to witness the proceedings. ( Applause ) Yes, Hon. Ssemujju -

18745 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 21 APRIL 2026 it together, and we might reconsider it next year because this is annual. That is what we are trying to persuade you about. We are not saying that you should drop the entire clause as it is. The committee has agreed with you on foreign investors; big tick. You can clap for yourself on that - (Laughter)- but they are saying that on your own people in Rukiga, please go down a bit. He has further suggested that in the rural areas, do it this way. In Rubanda, someone is trying to put up a structure in order to harvest some money from tourists who are crossing from Rwanda or Congo. Can we go down to $500,000? When it comes to municipalities in Entebbe and others in Kampala, let it be $1 million or $1.5 million as they have proposed, so that next year we see whether it has been attractive to people. Has it helped us in any way? In any way, this is a waiver to others. As you waive for the foreigners’ input, we are also saying, relax for our nationals and give a longer threshold because the justifications have been clear. Name one hotel that has been built in two years. If you name one, we give it to you as it is.

Hon. Leku, whatever you have said is okay, but the question is: do you need this law? For example, like the intervention you gave on bulbs, if the Government said that “All Government vehicles should be electric or hybrid. ” Then it says, “No, Government buildings should have solar panels ”. You can say that we can widen the windows and all that, so that we do not use air conditioners in Government buildings; all of that. Or you can say, “ We are not going to put tax on electric cars and we are going to put charging points.” Don’t you think that would work better than the law because I would voluntarily bring myself to benefit? I would like to know the countries, which have such laws. You say, for example, in Kenya and Tanzania that they have this law, or we are going to be the pioneers and all that. These are issues that you will respond to when you come back. This is for you to reflect on. Hon. Leku, that is enough. I want to allow the Member for Wakiso, and then I come to the Member from Rukiga.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a motion for a Resolution of Parliament to authorise Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to sublease five acres out of its land to Kabale University. The motion reads thus: “WHEREAS Kabale Regional Referral Hospital is a public hospital and the registered proprietor of land comprised in Volume 3119, Folio 24, situated at Kabale City; AND WHEREAS Kabale University is a public university operating and offering various academic programmes, including medicine, with a medical school currently housed within Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; AWARE that Kabale University, on 8 August 2022, requested Kabale Regional Referral Hospital for a sublease of five acres of land out of Kabale Regional Referral Hospital land to enable the university to expand its teaching space for the Faculty of Medicine; NOTING that Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Management Board in its sixth sitting held on the 16 September 2022 approved the request to allocate the university five acres of land for expansion of the Faculty of Medicine to comprise operating theatres, specialist clinics and patient wards for oncology, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, as well as lecture theatres to create a befitting medical school at Kabale University; FURTHER NOTING that the Ministry of Health approved Kabale Regional Referral Hospital’s Management Board decision to sublease five acres to Kabale University for expansion of its teaching space; RECOGNISING that Kabale University secured initial funding of Shs 3 billion for the desired medical school expansion from the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development in the Financial Year 2022/2023; APPRECIATING the role that Kabale University Medical School plays in closing the medical professional gap by training medical professionals within the Kigezi subregion in the south-western Uganda districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Rubanda, Rukiga, Kisoro and Rukungiri; NOTING that the statutory requirement for parliamentary approval under Section 32(6) of the Public Finance Management Act, CAP 171, for Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to encumber its land through subleasing it to Kabale University; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Parliament authorises Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to sublease five acres out of its land to Kabale University for the expansion of the Faculty of Medicine to comprise operating theatres, specialist clinics and patient wards for oncology, neurology, orthopaedic surgery, as well as lecture theatres.” [The Speaker] MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Our regional referral hospitals act as teaching hospitals for the universities and therefore, we work together to expand the hospitals to offer comprehensive teaching to our students. Therefore, allow me to additionally inform this august House that the request before us today of authorising Kabale Regional Referral Hospital to sublease five acres of its land to Kabale University, which is a public institution of higher learning, is not just a matter of land; it is an investment in the future of health care delivery, medical education and regional development in Kigezi subregion and beyond. Kabale University, through its School of Medicine, is a key partner in the provision of specialised health care services, medical training and research, and as you heard, several facilities will be constructed on the said land, including facilities for neurology, oncology and many others. We are all aware that the regional referral serves a catchment population of 2.4 million people across the districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Ntungamo, Rubanda, Rukiga and Rukungiri, and these people have different ailments just like any other region, and therefore deserve specialised services as well. The hospital also receives cross-border referrals from the neighbouring countries of Rwanda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Therefore, the increasing demand for specialised care in these areas necessitates infrastructure and human resource development that cannot be achieved by the hospital alone and within the existing infrastructure. It is important for us to note that currently, the university is operating within a repurposed and dilapidated former outpatient department at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, which was initially marked for demolition. Therefore, as the Ministry of Health, we fully support this sublease to enable the establishment of a functional and expanded medical school and a hospital that can offer better teaching and services. It will also go ahead to enhance research output, improve retention of health workers in the region and promote sustainable medical education closer to the communities in need. This also presents us with an opportunity to strengthen our national health system through strategic collaboration with the academic institutions. Madam Speaker, I therefore thank this House for the support that they are granting not only to the university but also to both the health and the education sectors. I beg to submit.

17620 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME Ntungamo, Rubanda, Rukiga, and the rest. The catchment area goes beyond the borders of Uganda. We have part of Rwanda and eastern DRC. Kabale University School of Medicine contributes to hospital service delivery through training specialists in surgery, urology, orthopaedics, dermatology, neonatology, radiology, ENT, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynaecology. Therefore, there is a dire need for teaching, laboratory, and office space. Currently, the university is housed in a squeezed Outpatients Department (OPD) which the minister has alluded to. Madam Speaker, Kabale University requested for the five acres, and both parties agreed. We request that this motion be passed and land be granted for the expansion of the university. I beg to submit.

Thank you. Member for Rukiga? Now, I need some ladies – Hon. Aol. Colleagues, it is a week for women (Applause) , and they are our women. I can see some of you are claiming to be women via UWOPA. (Laughter) So, I will also allow the chairperson of UWOPA. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

16571 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 4 MARCH 2025 Yes, Rukiga and then Gulu.

I know how emotional such a matter can be. I do not think the Prime Minister wrote a letter saying, “Continue killing these people.” I know the emotions on such a matter because I have been to the Bugisu side of Mount Elgon National Park and I was hosted by Hon. John Faith Magolo on top of Mount Wanale, where those people nearly did a second imbalu on me. I survived narrowly because we were on serious matters. When I heard Kadodi coming –(Laughter) – I had to plead that I had already done imbalu the Rukiga way. These guys were about to grab me – Hon. Mudimi’s people; they always threaten when you visit. On a serious note, the issue has been glaring. We have talked about this issue and I do not know why we cannot sort out the issue of boundaries of Mount Elgon National Park. Otherwise, that is where the problem is. The moment you sort out that issue, you will have sorted all these problems. If you do not – the more you keep postponing it, the more it will continue reoccurring. And Rt Hon. Prime Minister, people say that during campaigns, the President said, “We shall go with boundaries of 1992.” UWA is saying, “We must go with the boundaries of 1963.” I face the same problem in my constituency. In my area, the Bakiga in the 1950s requested space in Ankole, Bunyoro and Toro and they were given part of Queen Elizabeth National Park but these people did not reflect it within the Gazette, up to date. Recently, they were there and the National Forest Authority (NFA) came and started entering people’s homes, saying, “You are in forest land,” yet those people were born there from the 1950s. That was when I assigned the committee to move around and I got information from the chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry today that their report is ready and it aims at sorting out those issues. I know that Prof. Mushemeza and Hon. Namugga are members of the committee; so I request that on Tuesday, we have that report since it is going to tackle areas in the whole country that have such issues and the Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities should come and specifically respond to this issue. In fact, Hon. Chemonges, the bodies are available. In our area, we do a funeral. Recently, I was there and I heard so-and-so had been killed. I asked about the burial, they said “No, we do a funeral because if you go back to the park to pick the body, you will also die.” So, you are left to the animals. They are eaten by animals. I think this year, they told me that they have already lost about 14 people and you cannot go back to pick the body. They do not accept that they killed the person – Otherwise, you are going to be eaten by hyenas since there is no evidence. You cannot go to the park to start looking for the body. In fact, these people know how they communicate. They say, “We were with so- and-so, we escaped but he died,” and we do funeral rites and it goes like that. I think this has to stop. As we protect our national heritage, [Ms Nakadama] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Mr Speaker, first of all, I entirely concur with the submission of Hon. Kwizera on one part. It is true that it is the policy of the Government to have a seed secondary school per subcounty across the country. It is also true that as the Ministry of Education and Sports, we are undertaking the construction of a number of secondary schools across the country. Some of you, colleagues, can attest because these constructions occur in your respective sub-counties. In terms of the list, which appeared in the newspaper yesterday, I want to say the following: I cannot deny nor confirm However, permit me to bring the official list to this House so that it is a list that I can own as a minister responsible for education and sports. Thereafter, I will answer questions, specifically on how I went to Kachumbala, Rukiga, Moyo or Kassanda. I will answer when I have the list with me once my statement is ready. I thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity also to add my voice in thanking the minister for his statement. Number one, as a Parliament, I think we owe our people a duty to guide this country on so many matters. The issue I would like to raise is the different government agencies’ failure to work together to develop solutions for our people. For example, we have just had a census conducted by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). Now, we have registration being done by NIRA. Then the Electoral Commission is also updating the voters’ register. If those agencies could come together – and we have the same information because we are talking about the same Ugandans - we would not have many challenges. As raised by Hon. Basil, I do not know if the registration of births, and deaths is being done. If it were being done, then that information would be readily available. Mr Speaker, imagine an era where we were in analogue, and our people were registered in the books at the subcounty. Even today, an old person of 60 years can go to the subcounty and find their details there - the date of birth or if someone died, they would register them. Why wouldn’t we do e-registration and have things online so that I do not have to come to Kampala or move from Rukiga to Kabale District to look for a NIRA office to put my details? Finally, the matter I would like to raise is about the expiry. The minister says it is a long-term objective. Why don’t we do it right now? Is the software to do that lacking? We should understand if, during this budget process, we can give you money to procure software from which all the people can be registered, and then the data is captured so that it is seamless. Thank you.

Madam Speaker, Kabale Regional Referral Hospital serves a population of close to one million people from Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale, Rukiga, Rukungiri and Kanungu. Therefore, it requires – much as we have given them what we can in the circumstances, they deserve more. Working with the Ministry of Health, we shall look into the challenges and provide the support as required. (Applause) Thank you.

The petitioner’s informed the committee that during the passport application interviews. Applicants are interviewed by immigration officers from their respective tribes. However, Banyarwanda applicants are interviewed by a Mufumbira by tribe immigration officer, even when he or she may not fully comprehend the Kinyarwanda language due to the heavy influence of Rukiga on the Mufumbira-Kinyarwanda dialect. The Ministry informed the committee, that the recruitment of immigration officers who interview applicants for passports is carried out in accordance with the laws that govern the recruitment of public service in Uganda, prioritising qualifications, skills, and competency over tribal affiliations. The committee believes that the ministry appreciates that many indigenous applicants might not be proficient in English. Also, officers must comprehend the relevant local languages to accurately assess an applicant’s connection to an indigenous group. Therefore, the committee asserts that the ministry’s administrative recruitment strategies are thoughtful and culturally sensitive, ensuring the selection of qualified individuals suited for the immigration officer role. Prayer four: Alleged corruption at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control to be investigated [Mr Kajwengye] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want the attention of my very good friend, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa because I want to quarrel with her today. I want to quarrel with you today although you are my good friend. One, I am surprised that Kabale District was left out of the rural electrification programme, and yet at the time this loan was procured, Kabale was one of the benefiting districts and in particular my constituency which has always been marginalised simply because Wilfred Niwagaba belongs to this side. I would want to know why you ultimately removed Kabale – (Interjection) - no, I was that side but I was chased - why did you remove Kabale from the benefiting districts? Could that explain the reason why, when the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was disbanded, all the poles it had planted in some of the parishes remained with no wires to date? I would pray Mr Speaker, that an investigation be made on this particular loan, on how it was applied by REA and subsequently when it was transferred to the ministry. Who performed? Who failed to perform? And where is the money? 2. On the electricity access scale-up project, you have mentioned the number of health centres to be connected, water stations, schools and the like. I would like to know the list of these water stations in western Uganda, specifically for Kabale, Rubanda and Rukiga districts. I also want to know which schools and health centres in western Uganda, particularly Kabale, are going to benefit. Because there is a lack of equity in your ministry. Maybe you will

13943 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 14 AUGUST 2024 Parliament, held on the 24 th June – 5 th July 2024 in Midrand, South Africa. Pursuant to Rule 28 of our Rules of Procedure of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), held the third ordinary session of the Sixth Parliament of Pan-African Parliament on the 24 th June – 5 th July 2024 at the PAP headquarters in Midrand. It was held under the African Union theme; “Education of an African Fit for the 21 st Century: Building Resilient Education Systems for Increased Access to Inclusive, Long life, Quality Education, Inclusive Education, Accessible Education and relevant learning in Africa.” I am going to give a summary because the details are in the report which is already uploaded and Members can read the report for more details. The official opening of the ceremony was by the first President of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Adel Bin Abdul. Its purpose was to thank Members of Parliament and appraise them of the vision of the Pan-African Parliament and also to encourage Members to network and work closely with the member states to ensure that the resolutions and recommendations of the Pan-African Parliament are presented to the national parliaments so that the national parliaments can adopt or make them part of the laws that they may wish to present. We have five Members who are in the delegation and I am the leader of the delegation. We have Hon. Achayo Lodou, who is a member from Ngora County – NRM, Hon. Caroline Kamusiime, Woman Representative for Rukiga - I think Members should know Members who represent Parliament in the Pan- African Parliament - and actually, she is the first chairperson of the Women’s Caucus of the Pan-African Parliament. I was also elected to be the vice chair of the Eastern Region of all Members of Parliament. (Applause) We have Hon. Patrick Oshabe. He is liked by Members of Parliament and is very active, and he is now the rapporteur of the committee on PAP - that is the Audit Committee - very active member of that committee. Hon. Abdu Katuntu just joined us and now he is also a member of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights. This is a committee where he was a member 20 years ago when he represented us around 2003. Now, he is going to represent us there as a member. Pursuant to our Rule of Procedure, new Members joined and they were sworn in. In the Pan-African Parliament, Members come and go, and as we went for our session, many Members were sworn in. Mr Speaker, many issues were presented, but the main landmark matter that was discussed was the model law on food and nutrition in Africa. That motion was adopted and fully supported by all Members of Parliament, because we realised that our people are denied food, most of our member citizens do not have quality food, we have abandoned our traditional food and we are now only eating food that is foreign to our bodies. That is why sometimes we become weak and get diseases that are not common in Africa because of the type of food that we eat. So, we have come out with a model law that should be adopted by all countries. We are actually going to present that law here so that we can get some insight from the Pan-African Parliament. We also celebrated our 20 th anniversary. You know, Pan-African Parliament was inaugurated in 2004, so, this is our 20 th birthday. It was celebrated there. The theme was; “Reflecting on the Journey and Charting the Path Forward, the path of the Union, the path of the Pan-African Parliament, and the path of the Continent of Africa.” We came out with 12 resolutions and eight recommendations in our meeting. I would like to go through them briefly -

The engineers. We had a challenge and it is still going on. We have court cases, but we have decided to go the hard way to fight them in courts of law. There was also counterpart funding. There was a lot of delay, honourable colleagues, in counterpart funding because the Government was providing 67 per cent and the farmers were giving 33 per cent. However, it was very hard to raise the money. The selection of the farmer groups was sometimes very funny. They could not raise that money and it stayed for a long time. However, there are success stories. In Kigezi, I heard somebody say that they had not smelt it. I know success stories in Rubanda, Kabale, Rukiga, and Ntungamo, where post-service facilities were done. I think the committee chairperson has seen some of these. We had a challenge and we are learning from it. We took precaution and warned the officers. That is how we managed to get some of the good work done. On the e-voucher, we cannot run away from technology. If we are representing our people, we must encourage new innovations. This was very simple and I am going to come to the problem. Currently, the market demands that you know what you eat from the farm to the table. In animal resources, in crop resources, and in fisheries, we cannot run away from ICT. The challenge we had is that at the time when they gave the contract, the participating service provider was not very good. We have a case in court with that service provider and the money was chopped. We engaged another service provider who did fairly very well. On the fertilisers, their use is no longer an option, honourable colleagues. You cannot avoid fertilisers and irrigation in this climate change era, and poor weather conditions, because the soils are exhausted. We need to add fertilisers. We have a problem of fake fertilisers and poor application. If you put too much fertiliser on the crop, you will kill it. The other problem we still face is extension workers. We need more extension workers than we have in local governments. I have been fighting with my senior colleague to have extension workers recruited. Also, supervising them in local governments is a big problem. Most of the local government leaders do not supervise the extension workers. The issue of allowance and money is not really genuine. When you pass the budget for the agriculture ministry, there is a lot of money that we send to extension workers. Recently, we have enhanced their salary as scientists. For them not to work is not a good sign. As leaders, we need to urge local leaders to make sure that extension workers do their work. There was an issue with soil suitability mapping. We have done soil suitability mapping and we advised the farmers on the suitable enterprise for each area. This information is at every subcounty and is also available at the Parish Development Model Secretariat. We have not done comprehensive soil suitability for the whole country but we have the equipment; we have sampled various areas and given recommendations for suitable enterprises. With the involvement of the local government, this was between the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and we worked together.

Thank you. Member for Rukiga?

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

Distribution Lisr. o Kisoro District s Kabale District e R.ubanda District a Rukiga Districr o Kanungu District o ltukungiri Disrrict .:, R.wampara District ; Mungamo District ., Sheema District , I(ikuube District ; Kyenjojo District . Kabalore District r Zombo District.

indicating that the delegated procurement worth UGX 40,484,267,200 had. he rn executed, the relevant documents are yet to be received by the Secretariat. ln contrast to the above, ten (10) District Local Governments comprising Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kisoro, Rwampara, Kabarole, Kyenjojo, Kagadi, Kikuube and Zombo were unable to meet the required procurement and submission deadlines to enable NAADS Secretariat commence the procurement process. Some of them have since written to NAADS and Government Ministries requesting for authorization to carry forward the procurement and delivery of the seedlings to subsequent seasons of 2023 but we have not been in position to advise awaiting for clarification from your office and or cabinet. The indicative numbers of tea seedlings amongst the ten Districts as at the time of communication of the delegated procurement based on the verified tea seedlings is 33,944,957 tea seedlings estimated at UGX 13,577,982,800. The purpose of this letter therefore, is to: i. Update you on the progress of implementation of the Cabinet decision (and related guidance) on procurement and distribution of tea seedlings in the earmarked district local governments. ii. Present the matter regarding the inability of up 10 DLGs to meet the required procurement and submission deadlines as specified in the Cabinet decision and related guidance. iii. Seek your guidance regarding the expected feedback from the NAADS Secretariat to the ten (10) DLGs that failed to meet the required procurement and submission deadlines as specified in the Cabinet decision and. related guidance. Thank you Godfrey Mugisa Masereka Ag. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CC: The Rt. Honorable Prime Minister CC: Hon. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) CC: Hon. Minister of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries(MAAIF) CC: Hon. Minister of State Agriculture, MAAIF CC: Permanent Secretary, MAAIF CC: Permanent Secretary, MOLG

sNo Oistrict No. of Nursery operator s No. of Seedlings verified in nurseries No. of seedlings demanded Submis sion Date Remarks I Bushenyi 92 23,240,300 23,240,300 r.o7.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated. tn 2 Buhweju 304 103,246,999 101,210,669 r.07.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated ln 3 Mitooma 38 9,411,429 9,41L,429 r.07.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated tn 4 Sheema 2 6 L,007,902 1,200,000 7.10.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated tn 5 Rukungiri 1,894,579 2,000,000 5.10.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated in 27s 16,991,296 27,921,979 7.t0.22 Submitted time, Procurement initiated in 7 Rukiga 5 3,110,000 2,973,000 26.r0.22 Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated 8 Kabale 4 2,809,900 4,935,650 3.tt.22 Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated 9 Rwampar a 2 17 1,3 1g 108,000 26.10.22 Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated 10 Rubanda 12 3,553,916 4,651,000 26.r0.22 Did not submit in time. Annex 1: sumrnary of verified tea seedlings and farmer demands submitted by oistrict Local Governments under the cabine[ decision as at 31.og.23 6 Kanungu

Anncx 1: SUMMARY OF VERIFIED TEA SEEDLINGS AND FARMER DEMANDS SUBMTTTED BY DISTRICT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE CABINET DEC r S r ON (OCTOBER 20221 q I 2 3 4 6 1 o I 10 1, t2 13 SNO District No. of Nur';ery operators No. Seedlings verified nurseries of tn No. of seedlings demanded Submission Date Remarks Bushenyi 92 23,240.300 23.240.300 t.07.22 Submitted in time. Procurement initiated. Buhweju 304 r03,246,988 101,210,668 t.07.22 Submitted in time. Procurement initiated Mitooma 3B 9.4 I r.428 9.4I1.428 t.07.22 Submitted in time. Procurement initiated Sheema i.007,802 i 200 000 Submitteci in time. Procurement initiated f .i0.27 Rukungiri 2 6 1.884,5 78 2,000.000 5.10.22 Submitted in time, Procurement initiated Kanungu 275 t 6.981.286 21,8)r,819 1.t0.22 Submitted in time, Procurement initiated Rukiga 5 3,1I0,000 2.873,000 26.r0.22 Kahale 4 2,808,800 4,83 5,650 3.11.22 Rwampara 2 171.318 r08,000 26.r0.22 Rubanda ).2 3.553,916 4.651,000 26.r0.22 Kagadi 1 500.000 731,000 31.10.22 Kyenjojo 6 955.000 95s,000 26.r0.22 Zombo 45 r 6,765,000 7.10.22 Kisoro 37 3.500,923 3,551,054 1.r0.22 Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated Did not submit in tirne. Procurement not initiated Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated Did not submit in time. Procurement not initiated Differed procurement to March 2023. Did not submit demand. Procurement not initiated. Did not submit demand. Pro ement t ,t I ,t. 14 init noI .t

12143 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MARCH 2024 Assuming one of your voters comes to you, “It is me going to be laid off”, you will see everyone standing up in arms because UBC is the only guarantor of employment, to “a bit redundant people” -(Interruption)- what I am telling you is the reality. From a private point of view, there is no reason why you would have that number of workers - but because it is a national broadcaster, therefore, national interests come first. You would employ people to speak Rukiga, Runyakore, Rutooro, Ateso, Swahili, and every language so that information goes out. However, a private player would say, “Come here if you qualify and know about four languages” and before you know it - that is the reality that we should face. Do we want to come here as a Parliament that passed a motion to adopt the resolutions of Parliament in the supplementary budget and say we are now overruling what we said? It is only natural justice that if there are arrears that were supposed to be paid and we passed them through a supplementary budget of say, Shs 24 billion -our obligation and that of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is to honour the resolution of Parliament because we supplied. Going forward, the justifications must come from the committee, as you said. How do we make UBC much more profitable? - UBC, how do we make you more profitable? How many rights should you reserve as a national broadcaster so that we give you some level of protection? The reason is, there are some programs we know you carry that are not necessarily profitable, but desirable to the nation. Therefore, I would like to stand and support the matter because I know what it takes. UBC is a training ground for young journalists and you know it. It will take in as many interns as possible, train and produce them to a national level for even other carriers to take them on. However, I would like UBC to adopt a plan that is used by other national broadcasters, of being the innovation centre - to host all of them. For example, if I have Radio Toro –(Interjections) - it is an FM. Instead of creating offices in Kampala, I would create studios at UBC. It carries me through its signals and I pay them royalties for carrying me. That is what other broadcasters have adopted; if you have the leverage of getting national funds, how do you carry the private players to help them grow? Should everyone start up an office or a broadcasting studio in the city and how do we help them so that it is quid pro quo ? You take taxpayers’ money, but you also have a buffer. Finally, on the collection of the SIGNET fund; with the arrival of other players like Star Times, you cannot imagine how much money Star Times collects. If that leverage was given to UBC through Non-Tax Revenue (NTR), UBC would not be here. In addition, you can talk about the figures that they have, assuming they have about 3 million people and they collect a minimum, on average every month, one dollar from every person. That is $3 million from every user and in a year, that would be $36 million. That is a lot of money. If you gave that leverage - like other countries protect their national carriers to be the ones to provide the single outlet of content, it would be profitable. Now, as a carrier, the single player is not protected. Also, if it was to collect SIGNET fees from individual radios and TVs - it would be better to go to Star Times which takes you nearly freely than go to UBC. However, UBC has the sole aim of delivering the desires and aspirations of Ugandans, no matter what and even if it is not profitable, we should make sure we only leverage by reducing the wage bill and improving the

Honourable member for Rukiga – No, you cannot wish that to a colleague, Honourable.

Mr Speaker, in the circumstances, I am going to hold a stakeholders’ meeting next week, and then I will be in touch with the Members of Parliament from the region. They will also attend and we will find a solution to this. However, the good news for the country is that through Elite Group; a Dubai-based company, we are setting up extra factories in Buhweju, Kigezi in Rukiga, Toro region, and Zombo. Some of these solutions can be helpful for the farmers but next week, we shall have a stakeholders’ meeting. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate Hon. Nambeshe, who spoke on behalf of the Leader of the Opposi - tion, for appreciating the Ministry of Finance for what we are doing. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, I acknowledge his concern. The IFMIS system has gone through a number of progress stages. Up to now, we are not where we want to be. We are still on continuous improvement to make it as efficient as possible, but the good news is that all our Votes now, including districts, have been connected to the IFMIS. This is a great achievement for us. There was an issue, which Hon. Ssemujju raised that our budget spending is Shs 39 trillion. This Shs 39 trillion is in respect of the discretionary budget, which this Parliament appropriates across MDAs for the year you referred to. On top of this, we have statutory, most especially debt and the others, which we do not appropriate. When we add them, we come to the total resource envelope for that year we referred to as Shs 52.5 trillion. Hon. Roland from Rukiga raised an issue that commercial banks collect money on behalf of URA and do not remit to the Consolidated Fund. Money collected for tax purposes by commercial banks is swept within two days. If you collect it today, Wednesday, by Friday, this money should have reached the Consolidated Fund. Therefore, I think it is a reconciliation issue. Since he is referring to an authority called the Auditor-General, I do not want to call it an allegation. I would like to say it is a reconciliation issue, which we can deal with, with the Auditor-General. However, under normal circumstances - and in this case there are no abnormal circumstances - money is swept within two days upon receipt. Thank you. Mr Speaker, I think it is fair that I thank the chairperson of the committee and its members for coming up with this report. I would like to also thank the House. This was an interesting debate. I will go back to the Hansard - that is the level of interest I have - to see issue by issue, which you have raised with a view of using your concerns to improve the systems of managing your public finances. (Applause)

11360 DESIGNATION OF MEMBERS TO COMMITTEES OF PARLIAMENT 4. Hon. Stephen Baka- Bukooli County North; 5. Hon. Rachael Magoola - Bugweri 6. Hon. Milton Muwuma - Kigulu County South; 7. Hon. Michael Wanyama- Namayingo South County; 8. Hon. Yona Kayogera - Busiki North County; 9. Hon. Godfrey Wakooli - Butiru County; 10. Hon. Paul Chelimo - Kongasis County; 11. Dr Abraham Isamat - Kapir County; 12. Hon. David Lagen - Agago County; 13. Hon. Ben Baatom - Dodoth West County; 14. Hon. Ruth Lematia - Marach East County 15. Hon. Agnes Acibu - Nebi; 16. Hon. Helen Kahunde - Kiryandongo; 17. Hon. Gaffa Mbwatekamwa - Igara County West; and 18. Hon. Caroline Kamusiime - Rukiga Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. My concern is about how the ambulances were distributed. I will add my voice to what my brother said - they were talking about constituencies. There are districts without ambulances. For example, Rukiga. I remember the last time I raised this issue - I appreciate your effort - you wrote to the Minister of Health requesting for beds to help Rukiga. However, I was surprised when they gave out ambulances and Rukiga missed yet we are on the border. I am happy the honourable minister is here. I have written letters about this issue but up to now, Rukiga has not benefited. Madam Speaker, I request for a response from the honourable minister. The other issue is; that we have a maternity ward which is almost collapsing – that is Mparo Health Centre IV. Considering that we do not have a district hospital, I request you, Madam Speaker, to push so that we have a maternity ward. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

11093 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 2023 are one of those – I was going to use a Rukiga word but – (Laughter) – who decided to drop out of school and produce children too early. The Government does not have money. You are the ones who appropriate the money; tell me if you have a vote for that. You have a vote for schools, but we cannot have a special fund. What we can do is for the ministry to arrange and have a skilling project for these girls because most of them cannot even go back to school; they have the responsibility of looking after their babies. But if you have a project for these young girls who produce early and have babies – The girl herself is a baby and then she has another baby. You need to get something that will help them look after the babies. The ministry should look at that.

Let us not use the Chinese way; let us use the Rukiga way. (Laughter)

Yes, the Rukiga way. Madam Speaker, we looked at those options. One option was for each minister to bring the Bill affecting their ministry –

The trend of accumulated arrears No Year End Amount (UGXI o/o increase/decrease 1 30ft June 2O2O L3,228,441,399 2 30ft June 2O2I 20,313,148,061 34.9o/o 3 30ft June 2022 14,353,976,164 (4r.s%l The Accounting Officer explained that the bigger chunk of the arrears related to tea nursery operators, and that UGX lbn of the arrears had been paid in the previous financial year. He further explained that part of the reasons for the delay was because there were problems with the accounts of some of the operators and the money paid bounced back. He further explained that in some instances there were commitments made and yet the money received was less. The Committee found that part of the money related to nursery bed operators in the Districts of Kisoro, Kabale, Rukiga, Rubanda, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Mitooma, Kanungu, and Mbarara who had supplied seedlings to NAADS but were not paid. The nursery bed operators, numberingT l 1, sought to sue NAADS to recover the money. Some of the operators; Frank Byaruhanga, Dr. Francis Runumi, George Owakukiroru, Caleb Kipande Tumwesimira, Sam Kajojo Arinaitwe, Julius T\rmushabe, Fidelis Kanyamun5ru, and Rev. Bernard Mugisha sought the assistance of a lawyer, a one Patrick Kiconco Katabaazi to obtain a Representative Order to allow them file a suit against the government. The Representative OrderMisc.ApplicationNo. OOO9of 2019wasobtainedon lstJuly, tiffs instructed the lawyer to file a suit, Bganthanga Frank & 7 Ors. V Agricttltttral Aduisory Seruices & 11 Ors. Ciuil Suit No.889 of 2019, in which they claimed UGX 143,621,201,500. The matter culminated into a consent judgment filed on O7ft January, 2021. At the time of the consent judgment, UGX 27.3bn was outstanding. lt was agreed that the payments be made through the lawye rllaw firm. The OS$N, lawyer, Mr Katabaazi informed the Committee that he had received a total qft\ ,/ UGX 39bn on behalf of the Plaintiffs. N ' 3 Some of the operators the Committee interfaced with informed the Committee that they had not received all the money due to them, and accused Mr. Katabaazi of not remitting to them all the money due to them. Mr Katabaazi submitted that the Plaintiffs had instructed him to pay the 71 I s based on a criteria =a*^"g" ,?,7" t !" ,')r lt( ; ik."," il,( & \--+-'r a> @,

Thank you. On financing for lower administrative units with respect to the ones we call “the newly created”, Mr Speaker, in the Financial Year 2021/2022, we provided Shs 29.2 billion to take care of start-up costs for all those newly created administrative units. We went further to provide for a Wage Bill for the key positions. In the constrained resource envelope, our understanding was that these new administrative units would share the resources with the mother units where they came from. In the same way, I remember when Rubanda and Rukiga Districts were created out of Kabale District; we had a Budget that time for Kabale District of Shs 54 billion. This Budget was apportioned among the three districts initially. We expect the new administrative units, on top of the start-up- because they did not have where to begin from- the Wage Bill for the town clerk and other key staff for the new - we expect them to share the existing budget as we hope for the better in the medium-term. Thank you.

When I retire, that is where I am going. So, I need to fight for the sector. (Laughter) Honourable colleagues, many of you will join me. Hon. Oguzu Lee had suggested something to me; that when they appear before the committee, they should appear in the regions so that it is not just a Kampala affair. I will detail that in the terms of reference when I am forwarding the petition. Thank you. Honourable colleagues, in the Public Gallery this afternoon, we have Speakers from some of the western region districts. They include the Speakers of Rwampara, Kiruhura, Kazo, Ntungamo, Sheema, Ibanda, Hoima, Bundibugyo, Buhweju, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Rukiga, Mbarara, Kikuube and Kasese. They have come to observe how we are running the House and they will be advising the Deputy Speaker, later on, on how to run the House better. Thank you for coming, friends.

Thank you. Honourable minister, I will really need more clarification on paragraph 1.8 – on not charging any levy and you conclude that 1.8 by saying: “This is the current position of the Government.” How can the current position of the Government contradict the law, which was signed by the Government? Even the amended law – because a statutory instrument cannot amend an Act of Parliament. I am genuinely worried. There is a law, but we go on record that the current position of the Government is not to implement the law – and I do not see any efforts of bringing it here. Sometimes, really, I feel for you, honourable minister, when you are quoting Cabinet decisions and all that. I have been following this issue. I know how heavy it is. However, I think for things which are clear – when it is a law, we cannot find any other shelter. Just let me allow a few honourable colleagues. Let me start with the Member for Rukiga. Now, honourable colleagues, I have a problem. My practice – if you have seen how I run the House – is that when a Member has already spoken, I usually find it difficult to give them another opportunity when I have others who have not yet spoken. So, when you see you are not “catching my eye” – and you had already spoken – that is the only reason. I am trying to balance and pick honourable colleagues who have not yet spoken. Thank you.

Thank you, chairperson, for processing and coordinating everybody. We do not have a minority report on this one. Honourable colleagues, I open up the debate. Five members strictly, starting with the Youth Representative for Northern Region, Member for Rukiga, Hon. Rwemulikya - because he has never spoken when I am Charing. So, I am giving him an opportunity. I am also picking Hon. Mamawi. Two minutes each. Honourable colleagues, we are still proceeding; so, you will have another opportunity.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the Government built a very nice seed school - Rwamucucu Seed School – in Rukiga. It has a very good laboratory and computer lab, but there is no electricity. For one-and-a-half years, the computer laboratory has not worked. My woman MP raised this issue before and you said you were going to follow it up. When will you give us an alternative source of power? If the Ministry of Energy cannot extend power to that school, can’t you at least give us a solar system that can help the students in Rukiga District to enjoy the services of the Government?

Mr Speaker, in Rukiga, we do not have a district hospital. In the whole district, we have only two health centres IV. My prayer is that as we plan to have – (Interjections) – yes - two health centres IV –

7866 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO. 1 FOR FY 2022/2023 The Ministry of Health would like to have a district hospital everywhere, but many of the districts we have formed, as Parliament, have smaller populations. I can tell you, there is a district – I think called Kalaki, which does not have even a health centre IV. Therefore, whenever funds are available, we will be in your district to assess whether you really have 500,000 people in Rukiga and then we can look at the options of giving you a district hospital. I thank you.

I will start with those who were here as we started plenary – Now some have started complaining. (Laugh- ter) I can see that most of you were not here and the ones who were not here are the ones saying, “Yes.” I will pick the Member for Iban - da and then the Member for Vurra – Everyone who has spoken today, first take your seat. After the Member for Vurra, I will pick Dr Ku- gonza, the Member for Ntungamo, Hon. Os - eku, Hon. Aleper, Hon. Katalihwa, UWOPA chairperson – Oh, UWOPA has spoken. So, I will pick Hon. Balmoyi, Hon. Otimgiw, Hon. Ogwal, the Member for Mbarara, the Member for Rukiga and then I will come back. Honourable colleagues, I am going to give you time.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The PDM is a good pro - gramme meant to help the poor, but the biggest challenge we have, especially in Rukiga, is that it was a rushed programme. People were not given enough time to study it and understand. When you go to the hard-to-reach areas, some people do not even know about the Parish De- velopment Model. Again, I will go to the issue of facilitation, es- pecially of parish chiefs. They were not given funds to move around yet these are the people who reach our local people. They were neither given time nor funds. I am requesting that in future, such an important programme should be given ample time so our people can understand and benefit from it. Otherwise, as I moved through Rukiga, I noticed that majority never benefited because they were not sensitised. The other issue is that in Rukiga, only 13 par - ishes have received funds and 17 are still lack- ing. Now that the minister is here, I would like to know when all these parishes are going to receive the money. Thank you.

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

6389 Thursday, 24 November, 2022 a boda boda accident, they immediately rush and judge: “We must get a solution for these boda boda riders. For these boda boda riders, we must do this and that.” However, on this occasion, where even people rushed to judge the boda boda rider, it was a reckless driver who caused the accident – who knocked the boda boda from behind. He has even admitted to reckless driving, causing death. I am told he will be sentenced tomorrow. Of course, as a family, we know this was an accident; there was nothing intentional. An accident can happen to anyone. However, I would like to urge Government that whereas we are pushing to handle boda boda cyclists, we should look at the transport sector extensively, to include reckless driving. You meet these people who have Subarus or Golf - when you see someone driving a Subaru or Golf, you must give way. Those guys drive as if they are possessed. (Laughter) We thank you, as a family. They requested me to register their appreciation to the Speaker of Parliament, the honourable ministers, the Clerk and staff, and you, honourable colleagues, for standing with us. (Applause) Secondly, the East African Community Inter- Parliamentary Games are opening today. In golf, we did our part yesterday. Uganda was the overall winner. (Applause) Hon. Caroline Kamusiime, the Woman MP for Rukiga, was the overall best player. On the side of the males, in the absence of the Attorney-General, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 12TH SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 2.09 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala PRAYERS (The Deputy Speaker, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

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.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity. Allow me to appreciate the chairperson for the good report. My concern is about parking for the boda boda people. While we talk about the speed and so on, on Kampala Road, they are parked left and right. Considering that our roads are narrow, we really need to look into it and maybe get those people parking spaces. Secondly, on the issue of roads in our country - I am happy the honourable minister is here. I have to talk about Rukiga; our roads are in bad condition. Madam Speaker, I need to appreciate the honourable minister. You visited Rukiga, you saw our bridges, and you know what is happening. I am just asking myself after your visit, what - (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. Allow me to appreciate my sister for the motion and I am here to support it on having a national agriculture bank. However, as we do this, we need to consider our local people. How are they going to access it? I know it is a big challenge in our country when it comes to farmers, especially those in Rukiga, on how to access such banks. They always get loans at a higher rate and end up failing to pay back. Mr Speaker, I support the motion 100 per cent and request that we consider our local people when they are getting loans. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, this is a question from the honourable woman Member of Parliament, Rukiga. The key issues I raised earlier, I stated the legal framework and the regulation on the specific case of one Nyakaisiki Barbara, from Muhanga Town Council. The matter came to our ministry in respect to her issue; we did everything possible to support the family. At the time that I sent this reply, Nyakaisiki Barbara was at the deportation centre and she had stayed there for four months. The deportation centre is where somebody is first sent before repatriation. It is a holding centre, where people who do not have travel documents, passports, exit visas, or those who have mental issues are settled before their case

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The matter I would like to raise is related to what you have just ruled on because on Friday in Rukiga, we were hit by hail storms and heavy rains. The roads and bridges were washed away and the animals and crops were all destroyed. Therefore, Mr Speaker, in addition to the meeting that is going to be held tomorrow regarding the money for the roads, I pray that the Office of the Prime Minister makes an assessment in Rukiga with a view of giving relief items to the people there. (Member rose_)

The school-going children are not going to school because the bridges have caved in. For example, Noozi Bridge at the Rukiga District Headquarters, caved in. If you see the pictures and video footage of the situation in Rukiga, you will feel very sorry for us. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I pray that you direct the responsible ministries, especially the Ministry of Works and Transport to go and assess this impact in the shortest time possible with a view of restoring the network. I beg to submit.