Soroti District

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Bukedi Subregion was invited to Soroti by the Vice- President to talk about matters of cattle restocking and rehabilitation, and it was included on the programme. However, I was surprised to learn that when the programme started, they were excluded. May I know from you why Bukedi Subregion was excluded from the cattle restocking and rehabilitation programme? Secondly, I asked this same question to you in the last term, but you did not get an answer. Every constituency is mandated to have a technical school. May I know from you, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when Gogonya constituency will get Apopong Technical School? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, could you tell us the immediate Government interventions for Soroti Regional Referral Hospital to restore services? The theatre in Soroti Hospital broke down a few weeks ago and currently, there is no surgery taking place at the referral hospital. There is a very long queue and very many women are dying or being taken to other places to ensure that surgeries are done. The electricity connections in the theatre experienced a short circuit and it caused electric shocks to the doctors in the theatre. This is an emergency. Could you give us a permanent solution for Soroti Regional Referral Hospital? We are so tired of complaining for the last 10 years - (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, for the immediate issue, all regional referrals have development budgets. They should take action for the immediate issue. For the long term, there is a plan to rehabilitate and refurbish Soroti using JICA, and it is already approved.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On the issue of road accidents, I recall that in the last Parliament, we came up with a committee under the Office of the Speaker which came up with clear resolutions and action items. I would appeal that those action items be retrieved so that the Ministry of Works and Transport and the necessary agencies can follow up. Related to that, on that Gulu highway where the accident took place, there is a section from Kamdini proceeding to Lira up to Soroti. That road is under construction and is being finalised. Unfortunately, where the bends are and where you have the trading centres, the road markings allow for overtaking. I have raised this issue several times, even to the contractor, but they have not taken action. Two weeks ago, we had an accident there, and we are going to continue having more accidents if that is not addressed. There is a need for the Minister of Works and Transport to urgently intervene. Last week, the police also raised the same complaint concerning misleading road signs by the contractor on the road. Thank you.

144 THE BUDGET SPEECH, 2026 Macrohaem Scientifics has established itself as a leading African manufacturer for rapid diagnostic kits, recording annual sales of approximately $75 million from products used in a diagnosis of malaria, HIV/AIDS, and sickle cell diseases. Dei BioPharma has operationalised manufacturing lines for generic oral solid and liquid medicines and secured approvals from the National Drug Authority for a range of essential medicines. Jena Herbals, the manufacturer of Covidex, has established a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Soroti, expanding Uganda’s capacity to produce health products locally and strengthening the country’s pharmaceutical value chain. These investments are improving health security, reducing imports, and creating high-value jobs. On advancing Uganda’s space science, the Government has strengthened Uganda’s space science and satellite technology capabilities. Government established modern ground satellite infrastructure at the Uganda National Space Centre at Mpoma, Mukono District. This has enabled our scientists to successfully deploy a climate camera to the International Space Station. This has expanded the country’s capacity to generate real-time data for climate monitoring, environmental management, disaster preparedness, and evidence-based decision making. On value addition under STI, the Government has intensified agro-industrialisation initiatives driven by scientific innovation aimed at increasing value addition, branding, and export competitiveness. The banana value addition facility by Prof. Muranga strengthened its production capacity for banana value-added products and fulfilled export orders from South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Italy. In addition, the Government has invested in the establishment of the coffee park in Ntungamo. The Africa Coffee Park has innovated 18 products of value-added coffee, ready to go into the market for roast, freeze dry, and spray dry high-level technology. On digital transformation, the Government continued expanding digital infrastructure to improve the availability, reliability, affordability of ICT services, as well as access to the services. During the year, an additional 879 kilometres of fibre optic cable were installed, bringing the national fibre backbone to approximately 62,941 kilometres. As a result, internet costs declined from $70 to $35 per megabit per second. Active mobile internet subscriptions stand at 18.5 million, while the number of smartphones connected to Ugandan networks has reached 20 million. Total registered mobile telephone subscriptions have reached 57.3 million, placing Uganda among the most connected markets in the region. The increased penetration of mobile telephones has increased financial inclusion and improved access to e-commerce, telemedicine, marketing, and agricultural information for farmers. In the year ending March 2026, mobile money transactions rose by 29 per cent to Shs 392.7 trillion. Active mobile money accounts stood at 36.7 million. As at 31 March 2026, the number of mobile money agents had reached 1.22 million. I now come to creative arts. Mr Speaker, to protect intellectual property and artistic works, Government enacted the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Act, 2025. Government also established the Uganda Creatives Revolving Fund to provide affordable financing to SACCOs in the creative economy. By December 2025, approximately Shs 18.99 billion had been disbursed to 50 SACCOs of musicians, benefitting 3,047 individuals, of whom 62 per cent are youth and 43 per cent are women. Government is also finalising the acquisition of a dedicated home for creative

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

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

4 ADMINISTRATION OF OATHS 103. Kalenzi Victor Bunyangabu County Bunyangabu NRM 104. Basajjassubi Nsereko Charles Nakaseke South County Nakaseke NRM Kawuma 105. Baseke Fred Ntenjeru County South Kayunga NRM 106. Bright Tom Amooti Kyaka Central County Kyegegwa NRM 107. Bazaanya Matayo Bugabula County South Kamuli NRM 108. Begiira Samuel Youth Representative Central NRM 109. Begumisa Protazio Ndorwa County East Kabale NRM 110. Bagiire Aggrey Henry Bunya County West Mayuge NRM 111. Baryayanga Andrew Aja Kabale Municipality Kabale NRM 112. Bassajja Iddi Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Bushenyi NRM 113. Bigirwa Norah Nyendwoha District Woman Representative Buliisa NRM 114. Bingi Patrick Nyanzi Butemba County Kyankwanzi NRM 115. Birungi Annet Workers Representative N/A NRM 116. Birungi Carolyn Nanyondo Kyamuswa County Kalangala NRM 117. Banya Emmanuel Natal Koboko County Koboko NRM 118. Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu Bulambuli County Bulambuli NRM 119. Kabarokole Sarah District Woman Representative Bunyangabu NRM 120. Bisaso Abdul Kassanda County South Kassanda NRM 121. Bakashaba Christopher Mbarara North Division Mbarara City NRM 122. Oleru Huda Abason Aringa East County Yumbe NRM 123. Kabanda Minsa Nabbengo Kampala Central Division Kampala NRM 124. Bebona Josephine Babungi District Woman Representative Bundibugyo NRM 125. Baguma Spellanza Muhenda District Woman Representative Kyenjojo Independent 126. Batuwa Timothy Lusala Jinja South Division West Jinja City NUP 127. Byamukama Fred Bugangaizi West County Kakumiro NRM 128. Kadaga Rebecca Alitwala District Woman Representative Kamuli NRM 129. Byamukama Rogers Masindi Municipality Masindi NRM 130. Byanyima Nathan Bukanga North County Isingiro NRM 131. Byibesho Sam Kisoro Municipality Kisoro NRM 132. Byuma Oswald Dez Mawogola County Ssembabule NRM 133. Cadet Benjamin Bunyaruguru County Rubirizi NRM 134. Challa Elma Kapel Youth Representative Northern NRM 135. Chandia Benadette Kodili District Woman Representative Moyo NRM 136. Chemonges William Kween County Kween NRM 137. Chemutai Phyllis District Woman Representative Kapchorwa Independent 138. Cheutich Rufina District Woman Representative Amudat NRM 139. Dramviku Eric Sabiti Terego West County Terego NRM 140. Driwaru Jennifer District Woman Representative Maracha NRM 141. Echodu David Calvin Soroti West County Soroti City NRM 142. Edakasi Alfred Elalu-Olale Kaberamaido County Kaberamaido NRM 143. Ediau Samuel Amuria County Amuria NRM 144. Edopu Peter Edeku Dakabela County Soroti NRM 145. Ekoro Alex Irukan Bunya County East Mayuge NRM 146. Elem Leo Moroto County Alebtong UPC 147. Emaju Peter Paul Kasilo County Serere NRM 148. Eron Tonny Kwania County Kwania NRM 149. Etilu Margaret District Woman Representative Amuria NRM 150. Bagoole Ngobi John Luuka North County Luuka NRM 151. Eunice Otuko Apio Oyam County North Oyam UPC 152. Kamuntu Ephraim Sheema County South Sheema NRM

18875 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 5 MAY 2026 Vote 015 - Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Shs 37.90 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Atiak Sugar Factory. The second category is self-financing and budget-neutral supplementary requests over and above the 3 per cent legal limit, which require prior approval by Cabinet and Parliament. Of a total of Shs 586.16 billion for Supplementary Expenditure Schedule No.5, which is above the 3 per cent legal limit. A total of Shs 123.03 billion is self-financed and thus budget-neutral. The self-financing/budget- neutral supplementary includes the following: Reallocation of Shs 40.21 billion to cater for additional wages for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals. Honourable colleagues, there is a need to allocate the wage of Shs 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under the Ministry of Health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for the recruitment and absorption of critical health workers who were previously supporting these hospitals before the suspension of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for essential health services. The beneficiary referral hospitals are the following; i. Butabika Hospital, Arua Hospital, Fort Portal Hospital, Gulu Hospital, Hoima Hospital, Jinja Hospital, Kabale Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mbale Hospital, Soroti Hospital, Lira Hospital, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubende Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Naguru National Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Kayunga Referral Hospital, and Yumbe Referral Hospital; ii. Shs 9.92 billion for various local governments, which are also detailed in Annex I; iii. Shs 1.44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer Programme (UgIFT), which were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their outstanding contractual obligations under the programme for this year; iv. Shs 2.22 billion for the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2024/2025. This funding is required to enable the local governments to meet their contractual obligations and avoid - (Interruption)

Madam Speaker, I believe you will give me my right as a Member who prepared a minority report that was co-signed by two other Members: Hon. Adeke Ann Ebaju for FDC, District Woman Representative for Soroti and Hon. Asuman Basalirwa, the MP for Bugiri Municipality. Madam Speaker, our points of dissent are in the following areas; 1. The provisions in the Bill that tend to infringe the freedom of expression contrary to Article 29 of the Constitution. 2. The inconsistent mens rea since several offenses of comparable severity, particularly Clauses 8 – incidentally this particular microphone seems to have been tampered with and mine has – Clauses 8, 10, 12, and 22 that remain strict liability while others require intention or knowledge and creating an internal inconsistency contrary to Article 28(3) of the Constitution. I hope the Hansard will capture me.

Do you know why I am asking about how much has been allocated? This is because even after that allocation, we do not find the roads being worked on. What did you say about the Kampala-Jinja Expressway? As you look for that, we also need to synchronise the issue of the regional mechanical workshops. You find a district like Bundibugyo with a regional workshop in Fort Portal – It is in Mbarara, not even Fort Portal. You find the one servicing Soroti in Bugembe. We are wondering what happened to the – because Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) used to be very organised. They had regional offices. What happened to those offices? What happened to the equipment that they had? Where are the regional labs? Before we start talking about the roads and whatever, how do we test the materials? Where are those labs or the regional mechanical workshops? Then, what happened to the UNRA roads? Honourable chairperson, you may need to enlighten us on that because we are giving you a lot of money. Now, the fact that you have a lot of money, tell us which roads you are going to give us – when we are doing appropriation – which roads are we working on? I told you about the road leading to Buhweju. You cannot even think of passing there. There is the road from Lira-Otuke-Abim up to Karenga; it is very bad. When you look at Kachonga-Butaleja-Tororo- Namutumba road, it is terrible. Look at where Hon. Joan comes from, Madi-Okollo. That road of Madi-Okollo connecting to Arua - I can tell you all the roads now. Let us look at the critical roads and make sure that we use the money effectively. With all this money that is being given, we must achieve what we need to achieve. You find the roads in Kampala – like my road, somebody is working on McKinnon Road, but I have failed to pass there for a whole two weeks. Nothing is moving. I was wondering why they removed my little tarmac which was there; they should have left it the way it was. Therefore, honourable chairperson, there is a big problem in your sector.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity and the committee for a good report. The committee recommended that the Government find Shs 60 billion for the headquarters of the Electoral Commission. We are in a democracy that is not about to go away, and therefore, we need the Electoral Commission to be stable. The whole country has only one regional headquarters, which is in West Nile, and they have been looking for money to spend on rent in offices in every district. It will be important that we prioritise giving the Electoral Commission this Shs 60 billion, so that they construct befitting headquarters, but eventually, I appeal to this House to continue to give the Electoral Commission money so that they can construct regional offices. You have been consuming those services. You go there as an honourable Member of Parliament, but you are going to a squeezed place where many other people are coming. I appeal to this House to continue supporting the Commission so that it can have a befitting facility first of all, at the national level, but eventually at the regional level. We will be glad to see a regional office in Lira, Karamoja, Mbale, Tororo, Soroti, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima and so on because the democracy we have is not about to go away. As you all know, the NRM has come to stay, and many other political parties are going to be there. Therefore, we need a stable and befitting facility. Thank you very much.

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

18701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 On page 27, we have several votes: i) Vote 013, Education and Sports Ministry, where we observed that external funding to development projects of Shs 138.21 billion and Shs 69.01 billion for the operationalisation of UNITE and the TVET council; ii) Vote 164, National Council for Higher Education, and there we observed that Shs 18 billion was for infrastructure development; iii) The National Council for Sports for AFCON preparation activities was Shs 122.89 billion, but that one has been revised; iv) Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; v) Vote 170 for UPAB, Shs 9.1 billion; vi) Makerere University, we looked at the infrastructure development, where it required Shs 67.01 billion; vii) Vote 302: Mbarara University, Shs 3 billion for construction; viii) Vote 303: Makerere University Business School. We looked at the support for infrastructure development for research, Shs 23 billion; ix) Vote 304: Kyambogo University, for evidence-based research of Shs 3 billion. Busitema University supported research and innovation, also Shs 3 billion; x) Muni University, Vote 306 of Shs 30 billion for the teaching hospital; xi) Vote 307: Kabale University for the expansion of Medical School, Shs 5 billion xii) Vote 308: Soroti University, construction of the School of Engineering, Shs 10 billion; xiii) Vote 309: Gulu University, infrastructure development of the Senate Building, storage facility, and lecture theatres at Shs 10 billion; xiv) Lira University: Vote 310, completion of university infrastructure at Shs 10 billion; xv) Mountain of the Moon University, for construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Shs 10 billion; and xvi) Vote 612 for local government, which was a salary enhancement for primary and the arts teachers, which was Shs 500 35.01 billion. When we move to page 29, I think those are narrations. Page 30 has tables you can read. I am rushing to the recommendations. I will Key planned activities of Financial 2026/2027 Vote 013: Ministry of Education and Sports, the narration is there. Vote 111: National Curriculum Development Centre. We have the narration. Vote 128: Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) Here we note that no funds were provided for marking of the new secondary school curriculum papers. Last time, the markers rioted and there is a need to add UNEB money like we are going to make proposals. Education Service Commission The committee was informed that the Commission is also working closely with Chief Administrative Officers to ensure that human resources - there is that coordination between the Ministry of Education and Sports, CAOs’ offices, and the Education Service Commission when it comes to human resource recruitment. On National Council for Higher Education, the narration is there. On Vote 169: Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board, the narration is there. About National Council for Sports, operationalisation of Hoima City Stadium and related facilities, the narration is there. Vote 170: Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board, you will look at the narration. Vote 301: Makerere University also has the details there.

18702 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology - you can read. Vote 303: Makerere University Business School - you will read on that page. Kyambogo University - the same story. Busitema University - we have such narration. Muni University - you will look at the construction of the multi-purpose health science lab and the rest. Kabale University, Vote 307 - the narration is there. Soroti University, Gulu University, Lira University, Uganda Management Institute, Vote 313 for Mountain of the Moon University - you can read the narration. Observations Madam Speaker, we had general observations, and it was observed that the sub-programme was allocated Shs 989.82 billion at the time of the finalisation of the draft estimates. Of course, we have the ULEARN project, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - the narration is there. However, there are key critical activities within the sub-programme that remain unfunded, yet they are critical in the attainment of the set targets within the five-year National Development Plan (NDPIV). This is the implementation of free and compulsory Universal Primary Education (UPE), which continues to be underfunded at Shs 309.16 billion. Recommendation The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development funds the various votes under the sub-programme in time within the first half of the financial year, to ensure timely financing towards the planned activities in order to achieve the set targets. The finance ministry is also urged to allocate additional Shs 309.16 billion towards the implementation of free and compulsory primary education and Uganda shillings 14.95 billion towards the implementation of free Universal Secondary Education (USE) and Universal Post O-Level Education and Training (UPOLET) Education. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to allocate an additional Shs 66.30 billion and Shs 21 billion towards the grant-aiding of 100 secondary schools in subcounties without government support, and 300 primary schools in parishes without government ones, respectively. The Ministry of Finance is also urged to release funds to the Technical, Vocational and Educational Training (TVET) Council, to promptly avoid any challenges in the transition to the TVET Act because of limited funding to the council. Vote 013, Ministry of Education and Sports Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that an additional Shs 5.11 billion be provided by the Ministry of Finance to cater for these increments, and supplement its efforts towards vocational skilling as envisaged by the National Development Plan IV. The re-purposing of non-core Primary Teachers College (PTCs) into the eight health training institutions and eight TVET institutions. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates Shs 65.78 billion towards the re-purposing of the 16 non-core PTCs into eight Health Training Institutions (HTIs), seven TVET institutions, and one seed secondary school. Increment in unit cost of the training grants and indentures, internship fees in health training institutions

Chairman, maybe I should just inquire. These training facilities you are talking about, Kakyeka, Mbale, Soroti; how much has the Finance ministry provided?

18708 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Flats, and Shs 7.55 billion towards outsourcing cleaning and security guard services. Kyambogo University On Kyambogo University, the committee recommends that the Uganda Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development undertake a comprehensive land audit to resolve overlapping tenure conflicts. Two, the committee also urges the finance ministry to allocate Shs 28.58 billion in a phased manner for the recruitment of academic staff in the medium term to bring the staffing level to at least 50 percent. Gulu University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates an additional Shs 2.902 billion to cover shortfalls arising from salary harmonisation, Shs 18.643 billion in the mid-term to increase the university’s staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Secondly, that the finance ministry allocates Shs 28.41 billion for the completion of the construction of Gulu Constituent College in Moroto, and Shs 12.815 billion to complete the construction of the Business and Development Centre. Muni University For Muni University, Madam Speaker, we recommend that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 14.698 billion towards the completion of the various construction projects which have stalled at the university, and Shs 15.302 billion towards kick-starting the construction of the teaching hospital. Mbarara University of Science and Technology The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates an additional Shs 35.43 billion towards the recruitment of staff in the medium term to increase the staffing level to at least 50 per cent. Shs 0.491 for salary scale harmonisation for non-teaching staff. The Finance Ministry is also urged to additionally give Shs 2.8 billion towards retooling of labs and workshops, with specialised machinery and equipment for teaching, research, and innovation. Soroti University The committee recommends that the Finance Ministry allocates Shs 5 billion for the procurement of the necessary equipment and machinery for instruction of the three new engineering courses. Lira University The committee recommends as follows: i) That the Finance Ministry provides Shs 5.0 billion to promote additional critical staff, and Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls; and ii) Shs 1 billion to cover shortfalls within the welfare facilities and NSSF; and Shs 1.5 billion for the research and innovation fund. Vote 307: Kabale University The committee recommends that an additional Shs 3 billion be allocated to the university to support its research agenda for Financial Year 2026/2027. Vote 305: Busitema University The committee recommends that the ministry for finance provides an additional funding of Shs 14.862 billion to increase on its staffing levels from 10 per cent to at least 50 per cent. Shs 5.23 billion for strengthening labs and ICT to provide in the provision of its services in IT. Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee recommends that finance allocates an additional Shs 15.2 billion for the construction of a new purpose building at Kampala branch, new classroom office at Mbale branch, and new classroom office block at Mbarara branch.

Thank you. Honourable chairperson, I would like to reiterate that we need a comprehensive report. Honourable minister, we need a comprehensive report on UBC assets. We have land we recovered as COSASE in Bugolobi. There is a piece of land of over 200 acres in Soroti. We want the asset register and copies of your titles.

The final one, Madam Speaker, is the issue for which, one – first of all, I would like to thank the President and the Government for taking the position to compensate the people of Lango, Acholi and Teso with five cows each. However, the concern is in relation to a letter that was written on Monday, 23 March 2026, by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and National Guidance, Dr Aminah Zawedde, directing that the village chairpersons update the household registers between the 26 th and 5 th - which is less than 10 days. I have called the Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) of Serere and Soroti and they have not yet received the letter. Now, if you are giving them such a short time, they will not be able to have this verified. That is how we have always had problems. So, I request that this office extends the days for the parish chiefs to update –

18349 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 12 MARCH 2026 iv. Vote 116 – National Medical Stores; v. Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute; vi. Vote 134 – Health Service Commission; vii. Vote 151 – Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; viii. Vote 401 – Mulago Hospital Complex; ix. Vote 402 – Butabika Hospital; x. Vote 403 – Arua Regional Referral Hospital; xi. Vote 404 – Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital; xii. Vote 405 – Gulu Regional Referral Hospital; xiii. Vote 406 – Hoima Regional Referral Hospital; xiv. Vote 407 – Jinja Regional Referral Hospital; xv. Vote 408 – Kabale Regional Referral Hospital; xvi. Vote 409 – Masaka Regional Referral Hospital; xvii. Vote 410 – Mbale Regional Referral Hospital; xviii. Vote 411 – Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; xix. Vote 412 – Lira Regional Referral Hospital; xx. Vote 413 – Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital; xxi. Vote 414 – Mubende Regional Referral Hospital; xxii. Vote 415 – Moroto Regional Referral Hospital; xxiii. Vote 416 – China-Uganda Friendship Referral Hospital, Naguru; xxiv. Vote 417 – Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital; xxv. Vote 418 – Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital; xxvi. Vote 419 – Entebbe regional far hospital; xxvii. Vote 420 – Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; xxviii. Vote 421 – Kayunga Regional Referral Hospital; and xxix. Vote 422 – Yumbe Regional Referral Hospital. I beg to lay.

Madam Speaker, I move under Rule 153(1) of the Rules of Procedure Parliament of Uganda and in accordance with Section 12(13) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. I rise to lay on the Table, the Ministerial Policy Statement for Financial Year 2026/2027 for the Ministry of Education and Sports Vote 013 and 19 – other Votes under the education and sports skills development sub-programme, namely; i. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC); ii. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB); iii. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; iv. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; v. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; vi. Vote 169 – Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board; vii. Vote 170 – Uganda Health Professionals Assessment Board; viii. Vote 301 – Makerere University; ix. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; x. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; xi. Vote 305 – Busitema University; xii. Vote 306 – Muni University; xiii. Vote 307 – Kabale University; xiv. Vote 308 – Soroti University; xv. Vote 309 – Gulu University; xvi. Vote 310 – Lira University; xvii. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; xviii. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and xix. Vote 612 – Local Governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay on Table.

18278 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. STELLA APOLOT ISODO Hon. Joan, you know that - she took a lot of time there. When she came back, her life was not the same as she used to be. By the time I ordered for Hon. Stella to be brought from Soroti Hospital, her sugar levels - because she was also diabetic, she already had diabetic wounds. I think the shock that she got was because they said they were going to amputate - because the wounds were too much. By the time she was brought here, the sugar level was around 26 to 28. That was it. When we say that she died because of political pressure, it is not true. Actually, if politics kills, then we should not go into it because why should we get into something that kills. Let us hear from Elijah before I come to this side.

Madam Speaker, we also have Schedule No. 3 as follows – both Schedules No. 2 and 3 are for prior approval. Vote 002: State House – Shs 159.983 billion. We request you to approve. We have recommended for approval all these monies under schedule 3. Vote 004: Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs - Shs 305.4 billion. Ministry of Public Service – Shs 85.46 million. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs – Shs 7.95 billion. Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – Shs 42.03 billion. Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries – Shs 10.295 billion. Ministry of Local Government - this one is also for oil seed roads where oil production is going to take place – Shs 37.5 billion. Ministry of Health – Shs 69.693 billion. Honourable colleagues, I would like us to take note of this. The Ministry of Health procured a number of ambulances, scattered around the country. However, operationalisation of these ambulances has become a problem in form of fuel, repairs and maintenance. Most of these ambulances are parked. Some are at the ministry’s headquarters for repair but there is no money to repair them. Now money is being provided here; Shs 10 billion for the remaining part of the financial year so that the ambulances have fuelling and maintenance systems all centered at the ministry headquarters. So, let these ambulances not disturb our honourable colleagues. The Government is going to fuel all ambulances, repair and have them running this very financial year. (Applause) The Government ambulances have been distributed to all health centres, districts, hospitals, constituency ambulances and are very many. Vote 015: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives: Shs 37 billion for expansion and capitalisation of Soroti Fruit Factory. So, Hon. Okupa, go and produce more fruits. [Mr Opolot] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.1

18218 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR 50, but 100 agencies requesting supplementary budgets. Sectoral committees are required to scrutinise these requests and report to the budget committee within 14 days. We received these requests, I do not know maybe on Sunday- because on Monday and then the following day the chairperson was calling a meeting. The requirement is that you refer portions to sectoral committees for scrutiny before you authorise. The budget committee has no capacity to inquire into the details of all these requests. You needed to be in the South committee room where we sat to witness the stampede first hand. All these agencies streamed into the room and crowded the corridors. This should never happen again, Madam Speaker. The Members who are on the budget committee who arrived from upcountry in the morning and went straight into the meeting were visibly tired. Even when I pleaded with the chairperson that we were tired, he simply said, “Let us go ahead.” Some ministries and agencies appeared with no written briefs at all. Others came with loose sheets of paper. Some simply recited figures with no clear explanation of how they arrived at them. This is unacceptable. Before you approve expenditure, you are supposed to look at the procurement plans and work plans under Section 12 of the Public Finance Management Act. That is what we did when we were passing the budget, and that is what should be done. The Committee on Budget sat for about eight hours yesterday. It is not possible that it scrutinised all these documents, and the rule on referral is very clear; “These are referred to you for scrutiny,” not just coming here and you repeat what the minister has given you. This practice creates room for abuse; figures can change like you have seen them actually changing. The minister brought a request for Shs 6 trillion, yet the chairperson is reading Shs 8 trillion. Even me, a senior committee member, do not know how they rose from 6 to 8. Items can be smuggled in or removed before formal tabling. For instance, yesterday, we had an item on Soroti Fruit Factory with no source of funding, but it had also been put here. Uganda cannot manage trillions of shillings through informal briefings and hurried presentations. We must insist that the minister tables the documents properly before Parliament and only then refers them to the committee. Anything else compromises transparency and exposes public funds to risk. Any attempt to process these supplementary requests amounts to overthrowing the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act and our Rules of Procedure. I agree, there is room to suspend the rules, but there is no room I am aware of for suspending the Constitution. Source of funding Rule 160 (2) states that, “The supplementary estimates presented under sub-rule (1) shall clearly spell out the source of the funding for the supplementary expenditure request for each vote.” Reason: you passed a budget here. The moment you allow Hon. Musasizi to go and change it by Shs 8 trillion, he will be removing money from the items that we approved and putting the money to the items that he likes. For example, there is money for youth mobilisation tours. Where is that money coming from? All that must be explained according to our rules. What the minister - my friend, Hon. Musasizi - did was simply place the word “Government of Uganda (GOU)” or “external” at the end of each request. The Rules require that the source of funding be clearly spelt out. If the minister is allowed to play around with the budget this way, he will remove money from critical items and divert it to useless and unquantifiable things like youth mobilisation tours under State House. Revising the budget Initially, I was working with the figure given to us of Shs 78 trillion. It is now Shs 80 trillion, because if the budget is Shs 72 trillion, and you are now adding Shs 8 trillion, we are going to [Mr Ssemujju] THE SUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE SCHEDULE NO.1

18221 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2025 is now saying, buy. People who will read the Hansard will wonder what sort of Parliament this was. Water and energy in disarray Madam Speaker, once again, the Ministry of Water and Environment is requesting for funds to connect 156 villages under SCAP 100, yet they cannot even provide a simple list of these villages. They want to expand umbrella water systems before addressing the same systems that are unreliable and already too expensive for our people. Similarly, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development still has electricity poles standing like abandoned monuments in many trading centres, following the rationalisation of REA. Transformers are nowhere to be seen and hospitals spend hours in darkness. The same ministry is demanding billions for new connections while the old, unfinished work is conveniently ignored. Madam Speaker, this country needs proper sequencing, not a rush to announce new projects. We should complete what we start. It makes no sense to seek more money when already funded work is still hanging. Let us fix what is incomplete before moving on to the next project. Defence and nugatory expenditure hidden behind classified budgets Madam Speaker, the first problem before us is the ever-expanding envelope of classified expenditure. Every year it grows, every year it returns, and every year we are expected to approve billions we cannot trace, verify, or interrogate. That is how nugatory spending hides in plain sight. When money enters a classified corner without clear boundaries, it comes out as a bill to the taxpayer with no evidence of value created. A country cannot build accountability on invisible figures. It is in that context that other concerns emerge. Take the UPDF National Referral Hospital in Mbuya as an example; this is not a classified project yet it appears repeatedly in supplementary budgets with no clear progress, no timelines, and the same items returning like a bad chorus. Even more confusing, the National Medical Stores is seeking supplementary funding to supply commodities for the same hospital, while the Ministry of Defence is also requesting Shs 10 billion to capitalise the hospital. Two different Votes, one hospital, and no clarity on who is actually responsible for what. This is how wastage takes root. Parliament must insist that hospitals are completed, budgets are harmonised, and the taxpayer is not billed twice for the same medicine. UDC and the perpetual bailout model Soroti Fruit Factory is now a yearly visitor to this House. Every Financial Year, it needs capitalisation. Meanwhile, farmers in Northern Uganda watch their mangoes rot in the gardens. Industrialisation cannot benefit one region repeatedly while treating others as an afterthought. UDC must operate as an investment arm with performance indicators, not a rescue agency for struggling factories. State House State House has already spent money under the 3 per cent that does not require prior parliamentary approval, and they are asking for more. In total, State House is requesting approval of Shs 459 billion in supplementary. The approved budget for State House is Shs 479.8 billion. This will bring total State House budget to Shs 939 billion this financial year. This is a revision of 95.9 per cent. This translates into Shs 2.5 billion per day and Shs 107 million per hour, including at night when State House occupants are supposed to be sleeping. Considering that we are spending Shs 1 trillion on the Parish Development Model per year, and you know the Parish Development Model is supposed to finance 3.5 million households, translating into 14 million people, it means that the amount of money we are spending at State House is equal to the amount of money we are spending on 14 million people to get out of poverty.

18222 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR The money we are spending on the residence of our dear leader is equal, as I said, to money spent on 14 million people. Can you imagine some of the money State House is asking for, which we will borrow, is for youth mobilisation tours. You have seen my friend, Hon. Barugahara. He is addressing a rally every day asking younger people to support an old man. This State House request must be rejected with all the contempt that it deserves. Recommendations 1. First, reject all supplementary requests that represent poor planning rather than genuine emergency. 2. Require the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to produce a full cotton value chain report before any further support to private companies like Fine Spinners. 3. Freeze all agricultural arrears until an independent audit verifies supply distribution and impact. 4. Demand a national equity framework to ensure balanced regional development in agriculture, energy, water, and industry. 5. Require the Electoral Commission to provide a list of new polling stations and full documentation of the biometric system before funding is approved. 6. Finalise stalled rural electrification works before releasing funds for new connections. 7. Require Government to present a detailed due diligence report on Uganda Airlines aircraft purchases before approval. 8. Demand audited performance and sustainability reports for Soroti Fruit Factory and all UDC investments. 9. Mandate quarterly implementation reports to Parliament for all supplementary expenditures approved. In conclusion, the people whose taxes we oversee do not enjoy supplementary lives. They walk long distances for water, give birth under torchlight, watch Government planes fly over their villages while waiting for electricity poles that were erected five years ago. They deserve planning, not improvisation. They deserve fairness, not favouritism. They deserve a Government that manages their money with discipline. This minority report is presented in defence of those Ugandans whose taxes you are about to authorise to luxurious spending. We refuse to endorse waste, political convenience, or poor planning. We dissent because it is our responsibility to do so. Madam Speaker, the report ends there. Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, I am raising a point of order on an honourable member. He was once with us, joined the National Resistance Movement, but now he has crossed to squeeze me here. Is he in order to come and place me in my comfortable seat, well knowing – I mean the honourable member from Soroti, Hon. Ariko, who was in the FDC but joined the NRM; he has crossed the Floor. Mr Speaker, is it really in order? I know you are very passionate about the seating system and the order of sitting here. Otherwise, you can see that he is even talking when House proceedings are going on.

17957 Thursday, 11 September 2025 patients from Buyende and elsewhere; it should also be worked on. Of course, as I said before, the petition I have received is for Soroti Hospital. The ministry should ensure they work on the regional hospital because we currently have more of a district hospital. Therefore, I want the minister to look at that and report to this House. Yes? (Hon. Silwany rose_)

Honourable members, I welcome you to this afternoon’s sitting. The Uganda Parliamentary Fellowship announces the Ninth Women Forum of the Uganda National Prayer Breakfast, which will take place on Tuesday, October 7th, at Hotel Africana, starting at 7.00 a.m. You are accordingly notified and invited. Honourable members, since the loan for upgrading Bugiri Hospital was approved yesterday, I have received a number of petitions requesting that all their hospitals be examined. The Ministry of Health needs to comprehensively examine dilapidated hospitals. The petition I received this morning was from Soroti Hospital, but leaving Soroti aside, there are so many other hospitals that need to be looked at, so that we can work on a number of hospitals. We thank them for the Bugiri Hospital, but we also want the other hospitals in the country to be worked on. I want to thank you so much. If you look at Kamuli Hospital - they call it Mulago - that hospital receives

The concerns that we have about the deplorable state of these hospitals are almost similar. The buildings are dilapidated and the case of Bududa is even worse because during critical health crisis and disasters, it is overwhelmed by casualty cases that are referred to Mbale and you know the sorry hospital state is conjoined to the deplorable state of the road and it becomes very difficult for some of these emergency cases to reach the referral hospital Mbale. You know, for Bududa Hospital, I must say this petition that has come from Soroti Hospital and others is a blessing in disguise, so that maybe the House recoils and plans better for all these dilapidated hospitals. Bududa Hospital serves not only Uganda, but also has over five districts within Uganda, from Namisindwa, Manafwa, Sironko, parts of Mbale, and Kenya. At one time, four years ago, when there was an outbreak of dysentery in neighbouring Kenya, most of those cases were actually brought to Bududa Hospital and we ended up again having many of our people affected by the same. I will conclude with a plea to my good friend, the Hon. Bahati, about the National Prayer Breakfast. You remember we had agreed - that time I had not been promoted; I was a bishop but I have now been promoted to presiding apostle. We had a unanimous agreement that the National Prayer Breakfast should not be held in the State House, as it cuts off some of the believers who think that the guest of honour, who is none other than the President, is also chairman of a party and this particular prayer breakfast should not have partisan colours. It should be non-partisan. I do not know why, after we upheld this proposal, the National Prayer Breakfast continues to be held in the State House - (Interjection) - Yes, please, because Hon. Abed Bwanika was part of the meeting that agreed on this - (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am re-designating the Opposition members of Parliament to sectoral committees, and they are only two in number. In accordance with Rule 195(1) and Rule 196 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, I hereby redesignate the following members of the sectoral committees as follows: Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju, the Woman Member of Parliament for Soroti of FDC, is being re- designated from the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. Lastly, Hon. Nabukenya Brenda, Woman Member of Luweero District of National Unity Platform (NUP), is being withdrawn from the Committee on Education and Sports and hereby re-designated to the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development. I beg to re-designate. (Question put and agreed to.)

17867 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 Madam Speaker, looking at the procedures of borrowing the equipment, we have regional offices in Gulu, Mbarara, Mbale, and Soroti. However, whenever the districts go to borrow the equipment, the regional offices do not supply them, and we discovered that many of them are hiring out the railroad equipment. In fact, they are making money instead of helping the government offices. Madam Speaker, the minister needs to be very serious.

17908 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General reviewed 71 human rights awards, court awards, ex-gratia and compensation ordered by courts and reported that awards worth Shs 1.98 billion remained unpaid for the period ranging from two years to over 10 years. We have these pending and the committee recommends that the accounting officer should budget for the awards, and the Government should provide the requisite funds. The accounting officer, together with the Uganda Human Rights Commission, should establish the details of the beneficiaries for quick settlement to avoid the accumulation of interest. Madam Speaker, whenever we delay payment of these arrears, interest is paid on these arrears. So far, the Government is going to pay Shs 159 billion as interest on these arrears that have not been paid on time. Madam Speaker, the other report is the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) on national regional referral hospitals and other specialised hospitals. Honourable colleagues, I am going to summarise. We are looking at the details of the following hospitals in summary. We are looking at the following: Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Fort Portal, Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, Kabale, Lira, Gulu, Moroto, Hoima, Arua, Butabika, Mulago, Kawempe, Kiruddu, Soroti, and the Mulago Women’s Specialised Hospital. Implementation and budget performance Madam Speaker, for all the regional referral hospitals we observed - I will begin with the implementation of the approved budget. Regional referral hospitals are expected to collect Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) to support the Government budget. Honourable colleagues, the total NTR was supposed to be Shs 20.406 billion, and there was an over performance of Shs 21.924 billion. However, this should be noted. From the table, the Government projected to collect the above, but Shs 21.924 billion was collected, meaning there was an over-performance. Honourable colleagues, as a committee, we noted that all accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted Non-Taxable Revenue (NTR) targets, or failed to realise their NTR contravened instructions 4.102 of the Treasury operations. The committee noted that less/non-transfer of NTR to the treasury deprives the Government of revenue and also noted that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide revenue targets to some of these entities. That is why there was an over-performance and also an underestimation of NTR by these entities. Therefore: (i) The accounting officer should ensure that NTR targets are set based on strong assumptions and benchmarks to enable realistic NTR. (ii) The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that a billed NTR is fully collected. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests of NTR revisions by entities. (iv) The accounting officers should incorporate all NTR sources during the budgeting process. Performance of the Government of Uganda warrants Madam Speaker, a total of Shs 475.44 billion was budgeted to be released to these referral hospitals and national specialised regional hospitals. However, a total of Shs 470.65 billion was released. From the above table, the Government

17910 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT the patients requiring rehabilitation. Interviews with the management indicated that the hospital receives over 30 requests for admission to the rehabilitation centre a day. Additionally, the official capacity for the whole hospital is 550, yet the actual number of patients is 1,200. That means Butabika National Hospital is very congested. This should be taken note of. High Doctor-to-Patient and Nurse-to-Patient Ratio Madam Speaker, I am only going to mention the ratios. The high patient-to-doctor ratio; according to the interviews with the management, the ideal ratio for nurse-to- patient, is supposed to be 1:10, and the ideal ratio of doctor-to-patient is supposed to be 1:30 of the health facility’s mental treatment. However, in Butabika Hospital, the executive director, in one of the meetings, informed the committee that the nurse-to-patient ratio is 1:40 instead of 1:10, and the doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:70 versus 1:30. This means that the doctors are overworked. Domestic arrears I have taken mention of that. Madam Speaker, there is a challenge of understaffing in all the regional and national referral hospitals, with an average of only 35 per cent. Underutilisation of the Intensive Care Unit In all the regional referral and the national referral hospitals, the Intensive Care Unit is very underutilised. Inadequate storage capacity for medicines In the referral hospitals, medicines are stored on the floor. Some are kept in containers. Some are kept under the beds of patients. This interrupts the services as you read in the details of the reports. Honourable colleagues, most of the regional referral hospitals are under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and we identified five regional referral hospitals: Soroti Referral Hospital -

Yes, they are not in ICU, but they are very badly off. Among these is Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital and Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. Those need special attention. Lastly, are the neonatal units in these referral hospitals where the young babies, the neonates, are kept. All these ones need special attention. That is just a summary of the National Referral Hospitals. Madam Speaker, this is a report of a summary of ministries, departments and agencies. I am just going to mention: We have the Office of the President, the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development,

17913 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 2025 The accounting officer concurred with the observation and explained that the implication of salary enhancement on pension and gratuity were equally highlighted by the ministry, budgeted for and presented to Cabinet for consideration. The committee recommends that the Government should conduct reforms on the policy for enhancing salary for all the calibres of teachers. I, therefore, beg to submit. Long outstanding subscription fees These are payables. We have challenges with subscription fees. The Auditor-General observed that the ministry had arrears of Shs 2.27 billion under the ministry, out of failure to pay for the agreed texts of the Lusaka Agreement on Co-operative Enforcement Operations and this is the ministry for tourism. I beg to submit this as a report of a summary of the ministries as highlighted under. Lastly, this is a report of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on universities. I am just going to read them: Kyambogo University, Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Makerere University, Gulu University, Uganda Management Institute, Kabale University, Lira University, Muni University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Soroti University, Busitema University, Mountains of the Moon University (MMU) and Law Development Centre (LDC). Budget performance for universities and tertiary institutions It is the same story of budget cuts across all these universities. There is also a challenge of underutilisation of warrants, where Shs 21 billion remained unutilised across all entities. Recommendations The accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance. Performance of Non-Tax Revenue (NTR) In all the universities there is underperformance, where the annual approved budget for all of them was Shs 290 billion, but only Shs 265 billion was collected. The issues of domestic arrears cut across. Issues of students’ halls of residence The students’ halls of residence are very old, dilapidated and there is a limited budget for repairs of these halls. On accumulation of domestic arrears, it is the same story. Under long outstanding receivables, it is the same story. Irregularities in supplementary funding This was submitted by the committee chairperson during the consolidated accounts, where entities received supplementary budgets that they had not requested for, from the humble Ministry for Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Delayed projects were highlighted in the report for projects. Dilapidated structures cut across the board. Madam Speaker, I am trying to summarise in the interest of time. That has been a summary of these reports. I kindly beg that we pick interest and time to read through. I thank, you, Madam Speaker, for the time and thank colleagues who have enabled us to have this work completed. Thank you for listening in.

17753 Wednesday, 3 September 2025 Alebtong, Amuria, Abim, Bukedea, and most parts of Soroti. The transport infrastructure and other livelihoods have been severely affected. I am told the people in Bulambuli do not have food. Their little bridge that connects Abim and Obalanga in Kapelebyong has been washed away, while the Moroto Bridge remains at risk. Gardens have been submerged. I was also told by Hon. Amero that her little coffee has been swept away, so, I do not know what she is going to use for her retirement. I urge the Minister of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees to evaluate the situation and take appropriate action to see how we can remedy what is happening. Honourable members, we may be aware that the prevailing electoral roadmap by the Electoral Commission indicates that the parliamentary nominations are going to be on 15 th and 16 th October - that is one thing a Member of Parliament would know. We need to be ready for it. Make sure you have all that is required for you to be nominated. Look at the law. Do not reach there, and they tell you that you do not have a clearing certificate. Please do that. To the committee chairpersons and Members who have work before them, can you have all the work completed before we go for nominations? This is because we are going to be sitting from now until that time. We will not have a break because we need to dispose of all the business that is before committees. I wish all of you well. I know it is not an easy time, IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FIFTH SESSION - 9TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 2.00 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, honourable minister. Honourable members, pursuant to Rule 184 of the Rules of Procedure, the report stands referred to the Committee on National Economy for expeditious consideration. Committee on National Economy, you have a lot of work and we need all these reports. Next? REPORTS OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL ON THE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2024 FOR THE FOLLOWING ENTITIES: (A) AGRICULTURAL CREDIT FACILITIES; (B) SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FUND; (C) THE DEPARTED ASIANS PROPERTY CUSTODIAN BOARD; (D) UGANDA SEEDS LIMITED;(E) SOROTI FRUITS LIMITED

Madam Speaker, I beg to present a report of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation on the status of implementation of the assurance to upgrade, rehabilitate, construct and equip health centres in local governments; install CT scans, oxygen plants and ICU equipment in all regional Government hospitals. The committee looks at the following areas. The committee focused on the upgrade of health centres II to health centres III, the construction of new health centres III, the equipping of the upgraded health centres and newly-constructed health centres III, and the recruitment of health workers in upgraded health centres and newly- constructed health centres III. We also looked at the installation of CT scans, oxygen plants, ICU bed equipment in all regional referral hospitals, distribution of oxygen cylinders to all health centres IV, rehabilitation of Busolwe General Hospital, construction of a new Soroti Referral Hospital, and lastly, reconstruction of Kilembe Mines Hospital. Madam Speaker, the report is available so I am going to go straight to our findings, observations, and recommendations. On the upgrade of health centres II to III and the construction of the new health centres III: In 2019, Parliament approved a loan request of Shs 200 billion under the UgIFT programme to upgrade 124 health centres II to III in subcounties without Government-owned health centres III to implement Government policy and pledge to establish at least one health centre III per subcounty across the country. In 2001, Parliament approved an additional external borrowing of Shs 352.2 billion under the UgIFT II programme to construct and equip 62 new health centres III. However, the committee found that only two health centres II out of 124, Kaina Health Centre II and Kafunjo Health Centre II, both

17731 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2 0 2 5 Government had provided only Shs 2.2 billion in June 2023 to functionalise five out of 20 plants, leaving a funding requirement/gap of Shs 11.5 billion for power requirements to run the remaining 15 plants. In addition, at the time of the committee’s oversight visit, the already existing (old) oxygen plants at various regional referral hospitals had been out of use for several weeks. For example, in Masaka and Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, the old oxygen plants had broken down. Similarly, Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital did not have a functional oxygen plant at the time of the committee’s oversight visit. The committee established that the delays in repairs were due to a lack of the necessary expertise and funds from the officials at respective regional referral hospitals. The committee also noted that high costs of electricity and maintenance were a major factor affecting the smooth operation of the existing oxygen plants. For instance, at Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, the existing oxygen plant was reported to consume an average of Shs 20 million monthly, a cost way above what the hospital budget can accommodate. The absence of functional facility-based oxygen plants has forced regional referral hospitals to seek oxygen supplies from external sources. In Masaka Regional Referral Hospital, the administration had opted to procure oxygen from Roofings in Namanve. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital relied on Soroti Regional Referral Hospital for over 500 additional oxygen cylinders to supplement its oxygen supplies from the National Medical Stores (NMS). Buhinga Regional Referral Hospital was entirely relying on oxygen supplies from the NMS. The committee observed that: 1. The Ministry of Health procured new oxygen plants without putting in place the necessary infrastructure. 2. The newly procured oxygen plants cannot run on the current low-voltage power transformers in regional referral hospitals. 3. The current budgets for the regional referral hospitals cannot sustain the smooth operations of the new and existing oxygen plants in the regional referral hospitals. 4. The Government’s assurance to install new oxygen plants in regional referral hospitals had not yet been met. The committee recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Health should ensure completion of the required infrastructure and installation of newly procured oxygen plants in all regional referral hospitals within six months from the tine this report is adopted. 2. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide funds amounting to Shs 11.5 billion in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 to facilitate the upgrade of the transformers and voltage stabilisers to a capacity sufficient to run oxygen plants in all the regional referral hospitals. 3. The Government should provide adequate funds to regional referral hospitals in the budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 to specifically cater for increased recurrent expenditure resulting from the installation of the new oxygen plants. Madam Speaker, we looked at the rehabilitation of Busolwe General Hospital, and I would like to go straight to the committee observations. The honourable members will read the other narrative. The committee observed that: i. The project works were behind schedule, and work had not been completed. ii. The UPDF Engineering Brigade did not have any Bills of Quantity, nor other documents available for verification by the committee. iii. Renovation work for staff quarters under the UPDF Engineering Brigade had not yet been done. iv. The UPDF Engineering Brigade was adamant and declined the supervision of the district leadership, but instead got guidance directly from the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs; and

17732 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT v. The Government’s assurance to renovate Busolwe Hospital was not fully implemented when the committee visited. The committee recommends that: 1. The district local leadership should get involved in the entire process of supervision of the construction works; and 2. The UPDF Engineering Brigade should expedite the renovation works for staff houses in Busolwe Hospital. The committee looked at rebuilding Kilembe Mines Hospital, and I would also like to go to the observations and then the recommendations. The committee observed that: i. The absence of a fully functional government- supported hospital within Kilembe Mines presented a dire health situation for a very large population of over 500,000 people from six subcounties of Kilembe. That is the subcounties of Nyakabingo, Mbunga, Rukoki, Bulembia and Kyarumba; ii. Despite the dilapidated structures, Kilembe Hospital has continued to offer medical services to the community and its surroundings. iii. The Office of the Prime Minister and the local leaders disagreed on the appropriate location of the new Kilembe Mines Hospital; and iv. The Government’s assurance to rebuild Kilembe Mines Hospital has been broken. The committee recommends that: 1. Government should fulfil the presidential directive to rebuild and construct Kilembe Mines Hospital at the site provided by Kilembe Mines to ensure utmost accessibility to all the targeted subcounties and in line with the preferences of the local leaders, as well as the affected population. 2. The Ministry of Health should reinstate the Vote, all the equipment, the Primary Health Care fund, credit line, and staff of Kilembe Mines Hospital with immediate effect. It should not keep the Vote within the private for-profit entity, as it is happening now. That is St Mary’s Hospital, which they are supporting; and 3. The Ministry of Water and Environment should be tasked to provide a hydraulic report on its findings about the proposed site at Macgown in Kilembe. There is a site that has a dispute. Madam Speaker, we also handled a very important hospital that takes care of the people of a very important person in this country, who is number three: the Speaker of Parliament. That is the construction of Soroti Regional Hospital. Allow me to go through this. The committee established that the current Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is located in the middle of Soroti’s business district, which has three counties and 12 subcounties, 11 health centre IIs, five health centre IIIs, and one health centre IV. The catchment population is 2.7 million people from 10 districts of the Teso Subregion and one city, Soroti City. The hospital has a bed capacity of 274. It is a teaching hospital designated for internship training for graduate students from medical schools nationwide. The committee further established that Soroti Regional Referral Hospital was given land allocation, measuring 8.6 acres, by the district local government of Soroti and 50 acres by the university in Arapai to construct a new Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. The committee visited the two sites and discovered that part of the 8.6 acres in the proposed site was used to construct a regional blood bank and associated staff housing and that the funds meant for the upgrade of Otetai Health Centre II to Health Centre III were diverted for the construction of the said blood bank. The committee ascertained that the Ministry of Health has not formalised the process of acquiring the proposed land from Soroti University to finalise the university’s decision to house the referral hospital. Furthermore,

17733 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2 0 2 5 the land was available and awaits surveying, titling, and transfer to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. The committee observed that: i. Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is lying on very old structures that have hampered not only service delivery but also exposed the hospital to security risks, yet the facility serves over 10 districts with a population of more than two million people; ii. The committee observed that the district council, together with Soroti University, has allocated approximately 60 acres of land for the construction of a new Soroti Referral Hospital, but the Ministry of Health has delayed to finalise the acquisition of the land and associated documentation to enable the construction of the new Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; iii. The committee observed that the current Soroti Regional Referral Hospital lacks an Accident and Emergency Unit, an outpatient department and a theatre, though they are doing wonders in that hospital. They have been in the news many times. They also lack an ICU unit; what they have, when we went in, is a very small unit with a lot of congestion, and iv. The government’s assurance to construct a new Soroti Regional Referral Hospital has not been implemented. The committee, therefore, recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Health should formalise the acquisition of the land from Soroti University and facilitate the construction and equipping of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital at the university site to accommodate the need for both learning of medical students and provision of medical services to the needy population; and 2. The committee recommends that the Government should provide funds in the budget to cater for the construction of the new Soroti Regional Referral Hospital as a priority, inclusive of all critical departments, particularly a sizeable theatre to cater for multiple surgical operations. Conclusion The committee concludes that the Government has not lived up to its promise to implement the assurance to upgrade, rehabilitate, construct, and equip health facilities in local governments, and install CT scans, oxygen plants, and ICU equipment in all regional referral hospitals across the country. I, therefore, pray that the report of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation be considered by this House and the recommendations therein be adopted. I beg to lay and present, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, committee chairperson, for this very good report. The Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation has produced very good reports. However, given the magnitude of the assurances that have been made from time to time, the committee needs to consolidate the assurances and provide the status update categorised by sector. This report you are reading should have had sector by sector for example, on health on this and this date, the minister made this promise or the President made this promise. That is in regard to Rule 185(1)(a); record and scrutinise the assurances, promises, and undertakings given by the minister, the Prime Minister, and the Vice President or the President in the House from time to time. So, you will need to have a comprehensive report that is making a category of sector by sector so that we have a comprehensive report rather than bringing only one from one sector. Therefore, next time, you need to do that so that you give us a comprehensive one, indicating the dates, that on such and such a date, you made a promise that Soroti Referral Hospital would be built because I do not want us to deviate and go into sectoral committee work.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for complementing my point. Secondly, on Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, I really plead that we prioritise this facility because it serves beyond the people within Soroti. It has remained like a district hospital. Let us leave that facility and allocate resources so that they can utilise the land offered by the university. It is a regional referral, a teaching hospital, and these doctors have done excellent work. We even recognised some of the doctors who separated the conjoined twins. If you look at the theatre where these doctors are operating, you will shed tears. Madam Speaker, all that I am saying is, let us prioritise the health sector, allocate resources but also, I call upon the Ministry of Health to bring the National Health Insurance Bill so that we can be able to – You can see cost sharing in hospitals. The cost sharing is on but how are Ugandans contributing towards healthcare? They are paying under the table. Therefore, let us have the National Health Insurance Scheme and also know that tertiary care is not wholly free in this country.

Honourable minister, actually, we do not have a referral hospital. It is supposed to be the Soroti District General Hospital. When Soroti became a city, the small hospital, which is in the middle of town with no land for expansion, did not have a vehicle to remove garbage. Even when you are at the gate, you feel the smell in that hospital. It is high time you built the referral hospital. Maybe you need to change the name to Soroti General Hospital for now, because even major operations cannot be done because they do not have a good theatre. It is a serious matter. Hon. Apolot and Hon. Onzima.

17749 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 2025 see that for the last three years, we have been requesting for this funding. The Chair Emeritus responded to the issue of Kilembe Mines Hospital. I will only add a line that the Cabinet decided to get an investor to revamp Kilembe Mines. The hospital can be rebuilt after the river has been properly desilted and its banks constructed. Short of that, we cannot put a hospital there. It will flood again and again. Madam Speaker, the issue of staffing. This needs to be discussed seriously with Parliament because to date, we recruit on a replacement basis. The argument is that recruitment of staff requires a salary, which is continuous, but when we request money to buy ICU equipment, it is a one-off. So the Ministry of Finance sees what is easier to finance as a one-off, vis-a-vis what is continuous. Therefore, we do not have staff. Let me also bring it to the attention of this Parliament that we may have to discuss the issue of staff a little more quickly. This is because when the partners withdrew, they were supporting over 10,000 staff who are currently not being paid and are on Katebe. Yet I need them. Even with integration, we will still need the staff, including specialists. So it is an urgent thing. Madam Speaker, I think committee members talked a lot about the issue of maintenance, funding being provided and yet it is not provided, and many others that I will not repeat because they have elaborated very well. The last issue concerns Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Madam Speaker, the need to secure the land title is well noted, and I would like to respond to you that this is ongoing. However, the land is not the Ministry of Health’s. It is the Ministry of Education and Sports’ land. It is under Soroti University. However, they have allowed us to construct a new hospital there. Madam Speaker, constructing a new hospital needs funding. I have just said that we have requested the finance ministry to mobilise resources for the hospitals. Until they do, we are not able to. We have discussed this with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and requested that they support Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Until they respond, we still do not have answers, but plans to build a new hospital are underway as soon as resources are provided. In conclusion, Madam Speaker, allow me to appreciate the committee for the report and once again indicate that the health sector has changed a lot over the years, and many of you will appreciate that. There is a lot going on, but if we are to have better services, we need more money. I conclude on the issue of the Insurance Scheme Bill. Madam Speaker, I would have brought this Bill to Parliament long ago, but I am still waiting, and you know the reason why. As soon as it is called for, I will bring it. There are other Bills that I will be laying on the Table. I thank you.

Yes, courtesy of the Speaker. My station manager in Moroto has already sent a framework contractor to handle the Kotido-Kaabong section. The Kotido station will handle the section between Kotido and Moroto, and my station in Moroto, on the first account, will handle the section between Moroto and Lopei. Therefore, these stations are active. The station in Soroti under Olupot has been handling the work between Soroti, Katakwi, and other areas. If your station has not yet been active -

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I am interested in knowing the progress of the upgrade of the 150km Tororo-Mbale-Soroti Road, because it was planned for rehabilitation. As I speak, there is nothing that shows that there is any work to be done on this project. The other one is the Mbale-Nkokonjeru-Wanale Road, which is about 21 kilometres. Then lastly, I am interested in knowing how you are spending the money on the Rural Bridge Infrastructural Development Project, because we have not been receiving proper accountability. We expected that this would probably come and help most of our bridges and roads in our districts and cities. I would like to get those details as well. Thank you very much.

17691 THE ELEVENTH P A RLIAMENT O F U G A N D A WEDNESDAY, 6 A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 crossed into Soroti, and are coming towards Tororo. We had a challenge when there was a threat to stop the project, but then, when the World Bank came and appreciated what had been done, they decided to finish it. It is ending in Tororo.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for giving me this opportunity. I thank the Government for its efforts in the construction and maintenance of roads. However, we still have a lot of challenges. I bring to the attention of the minister that we have the Moroto-Lokitanyala Road that is under construction, and is almost getting to completion. However, we have the majority of the Project-Affected Persons not compensated. Honourable minister, I want to know when you are going to complete the compensation of those project-affected persons before the road is completed. Thank you. Then you talked about the Moroto-Lopei and Kotido-Karenga roads. Honourable minister, we have a tarmac road that is not more than 15 years old. From the road at the Moroto-Kotido Junction up to Moroto Town, that is on Moroto- Soroti Road, we have a stretch with tarmac that has deteriorated so much to the extent that it does not even have potholes on the road, but water ponds. What are you thinking about repairing that part? And we have Moroto-Lokiriama Road, Lokiriama is in Kenya. That road has totally degenerated, and it is under the Ministry of Works and Transport. What are you thinking about the maintenance of that murram road? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would also like to thank the minister and the ministry, for that matter, for maintaining the Kotido-Moroto murram road under your courtesy. However, I would like to inform and remind the minister that there is a road from Kotido, via Abim, Amuria, Kotido, Abim and Otuke, which is in a very deplorable state and yet, we are now receiving heavy rains. This is a road that is mainly used by buses from Kotido to Kampala, Soroti and Lira, but they get stuck

Thank you. I also want to refer the honourable Leader of the Opposition (LOP) to page 310 on Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services. It does not only refer to roads but also looks at the standard gauge railway, and then the meter-gauge railway. Both the standard gauge railway and meter-gauge railway pass through the east: Tororo, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Kagwara – let us not be mean to the country. All these are in the east. As leaders, let us represent all the people of this country.

Yes, thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Let me correct that impression that the road is going to end in Jinja. That road, as I said, is our artery. It is the aorta of this country. It goes up to Malaba. The road is going to be joined with the rehabilitation of the road from Kamdini- Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo. You can see the whole network will be linked. Remember, we are also rehabilitating the railway line from Tororo. So far, the old meter gauge has reached Soroti heading to Gulu. The railway line from Kampala to Malaba is already functional. The standard gauge will start as soon as the contractor finishes the mobilisation and setting his camps for the works to start; so we are addressing the whole country. On the issue of liabilities from Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), I agree. When you inherit, you inherit liabilities and assets. There are some liabilities we inherited. Among them was the issue of compensation of the Project

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

No, they are ten cities. They are: Arua, Gulu, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Hoima and Lira. Those are operational, out of the 15. Now, five cities are the ones which are not operational.

Madam Speaker, we received questions from a number of Members. 1. Hon. Stella Atyang, the Woman Representative, Moroto, raised an issue that the X-ray in Moroto Referral Hospital, scanning machines, and newly constructed oxygen plants in Moroto Referral Hospital are non-functional. Her question is, when will the Ministry of Health help to repair, replace the scanning and oxygen machines and also functionalise the newly constructed oxygen plant at Moroto Referral Hospital? My response: Madam Speaker, the contract for the maintenance of X-rays and the ultrasound was awarded and the spare parts ordered for. The imaging equipment was repaired and made functional on 15 March 2025. Furthermore, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, procured a new X-ray machine, which has already arrived at the Ministry of Health stores. It will be installed in the next two weeks. Madam Speaker, the old oxygen plant was repaired and is now functional, as I have already told you. The Government is in the process of procuring an adequately sizable transformer and voltage power stabiliser under the Ministry of Energy in order for the high- capacity oxygen plant to be made functional. The current oxygen plants in Mbale, Soroti, and Lira are functional, and they are able to produce over 500 cylinders of oxygen per day, which can be supplied to Moroto in case of any high demand. 2. Hon. Akugizibwe Aled Roland (MP, Buruli County, Masindi District) The Ibaralibi-Alimugonza-Kitanyata Road (24.4 km) is in Buruli County and connects two sub-counties of Pakanyi and Kiruli, running through 11 villages. This road was recommended by Masindi District Local Government to be worked upon by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) under the Agricultural Cluster Development Project (ACDP) in 2018. The road has five major chokes and as such, is totally impassable and so far, eight people have died on this road by running water. Seven years down the road, it has not been fixed and the district does not have the resources to work on this road. That he has raised the issue of this road on this Floor more than thrice, but nothing is forthcoming. His prayer is that MAAIF should come and work on this road so that people in this area can enjoy like other Ugandans, bearing in mind that a road is one of the main enablers of development. Madam Speaker, my response is that the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, through ACDP, contracted M/S Doramine Enterprise to work on specific road chokes for both Kiryandongo and Masindi Districts. The contractor commenced works in Kiryandongo District but due to its limited financial capacity, they did not complete the works as required. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has consequently decided to procure another contractor and

Madam Speaker, he is too tall, so for people who are short like me, when you take a photo with him, you look like a dwarf. (Laughter) In brief, he should prepare a stool. Thank you so much. Madam Speaker, I have another question from Hon. Veronica Nanyondo, the District Woman MP of Bukomansimbi. Her prayer is that there is an effect on the implementation of the new lower secondary school curriculum on primary school leavers. Can the Government update us on this matter? My response is that at the moment, primary school leavers transition from the knowledge- based curriculum to competence-based curriculum in secondary school, under the revised lower secondary school curriculum. The process of revising the primary school curriculum to make it competence-based has already commenced to harmonise curriculum designs across primary and secondary level education. Once this is complete, the learners will be introduced to competence-based teaching and learning from primary school and progress with it to secondary education. I got another question from Hon. Ronald Balimwezo Nsubuga, MP for Nakawa Division East. He says that Uganda has very many experienced jua kalis, but they have no industrial parks and have continued to operate in a domestic setting, with very high electricity and water domestic tariffs. This is something that has crippled their businesses, yet they compete with investors who operate in Government industrial parks. These investors in Government industrial parks have always been incentivised in the form of tax exemptions, low electricity and water tariffs. This makes it harder for the jua kalis to compete favourably with them in the same market. His prayer is; When is the Government going to set up jua kali industrial parks? My response is that in this principle, for all Ugandan investors - if they all go through the Uganda Investment Authority, industrial parks have been designed with spaces specifically planned for setting up Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs), which cater for jua kali artisan activities. SME parks of 20 acres have been planned in all the operational industrial parks of Namanve, Soroti, Kasese, SINO-Mbale, and others. The Uganda Investment Authority also acquired the Mbarara SME Park of 12 acres that has been handed back to Gatsby Group, the SME artisans from Mbarara. The Government’s vision is to develop new industrial parks in phases, depending on the availability of resources in Gulu, Nebbi, Arua, Madi-Okollo, Yumbe, Pader, Paidha, Dokolo, Rukungiri, Isingiro, Oyam, Lira, Hoima, Buliisa, Kisoro, Kakumiro, Nakasongola, Luwero, Nakaseke, Mubende, Mityana, Masaka, Kabale, Bushenyi, Tororo, Rakai, Kamuli, Kween, Busia, Soroti, Gomba, Kayunga, Kyegegwa , and Iganga, where land has been mobilised by districts and already offered to Uganda Investment Authority for industrial development to foster innovation and equitable, sustainable industrial growth. Madam Speaker, the major infrastructure, for example, workplaces with shared common user facilities such as production equipment, showrooms for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to use as they sell and grow their businesses, will be constructed within the said industrial parks. 10. Hon. Lucy Akello, the District Woman Member of Parliament for Amuru, raised an issue on the lack of radiologists in the regional referral hospitals like Gulu, Soroti, Mbale and others.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Last week, while interacting with Soroti University and Soroti Referral Hospital, it was brought to our attention that despite Soroti District and the university offering 50 acres for a teaching hospital, there are proposals to move a teaching hospital 30-40 kilometres away from the university. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, can you reign over this? That concern was brought to us by the university and Soroti Referral Hospital because it is going to become both a referral hospital and a teaching hospital for the university. Therefore, why would someone moot the idea of moving it out of the university and Soroti Referral Hospital?

You see, once you are aggrieved, you come and seek redress. These are aggrieved and came, while the ones in Soroti have not come. Maybe, they are okay with no problem, but let us first look at what petition came to the House. Let us not deprive the ones who came here and brought everybody on board, because these ones are aggrieved. Yes, Enos?

17514 BUDGET SPEECH For example, we completed, equipped, and commissioned three regional blood banks in Hoima, Arua, and Soroti, operationalised 16 high-capacity oxygen plants across key regional referral hospitals, continued infrastructure development and equipping of the two specialised centres for cancer and cardiovascular care; infrastructure development of Lubowa Specialised Hospital is now at 68 per cent progress, and training of the specialists is ongoing; constructed new maternity wards and the staff houses in the health centres II that are being upgraded to health centres III, distributed 20 digital X-ray machines to general hospitals, and installed CT scans in 14 out of 16 regional referral hospitals; 3. The government implemented interventions for preventive healthcare for disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles. For example, the Government trained and deployed community health extension workers across the country to deliver essential health education on hygiene and sanitation, nutrition and disease prevention, and to support routine immunisation effort; undertook residual spraying in 13 districts which protected the lives of 2.7 million people and 560,000 households against malaria, and introduced the malaria vaccine into the extended programme on immunisation, targeting children under five years of age; 4. Improved digitisation of healthcare services by extending connectivity of the electronic medical code system in four national referral hospitals and 16 regional referral hospitals. This has improved patient records management, drug dispensing, and monitoring the attendance of health workers; and 5. Strengthened the national ambulance and emergency care system by providing additional ambulances to improve the national emergency response and referral system. Madam Speaker, to further improve the health of Ugandans, a total of Shs 5.87 trillion has been provided in the next Financial Year 2025/2026. The priority intervention will include: 1. Functionalising health centres IV; 2. Strengthening primary health care and community health services; 3. Scale up of national e-health infrastructure; 4. Promotion of nutrition and education and reproductive health; 5. Continued deployment of community health extension workers; 6. Strengthening the national ambulance and emergency referral system; and 7. Construction of specialised health facilities for cancer and cardiovascular care. Education Madam Speaker, the following milestones have been achieved in the education sector: (i) Provided access to universal primary education for 9.2 million learners and 905,116 learners under Universal Secondary Education -

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.

17526 BUDGET SPEECH ii) Enhance access to electricity through implementation of the $638 million Electricity Access Scale-up Project covering grid expansion, connectivity and clean energy options for one million new electricity connections. Further, the Government will continue investing in priority transmission lines and sub-stations, particularly to the industrial parks, growth centres and other strategic manufacturing facilities like the clinker factory in Moroto, Karamoja; the fertiliser factory in Kampirigisa, Mpigi; Simba Cement Factory in Mbarara, Western Uganda; Dei BioPharma in Matugga, Wakiso District; and; the Coffee Factory in Ntungamo, among others. iii) Commence development of new power generation plants to meet the growing demand. These include new hydropower plants at Ayago and Oriang in Nwoya District, and Kiba in Oyam District, the development of nuclear power in Buyende District, and the rehabilitation of Kiira- Nalubaale Power Plant. Industrial Development and Manufacturing Madam Speaker, with regard to industrial development and manufacturing, the following achievements have been registered: i) The Government has operationalised eight industrial parks, which include Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Mbale, Soroti, Kasese, Mbarara, and Jinja industrial parks. We have also supported the development of three privately-owned industrial parks, which are Liao Shen Kapeeka in Nakaseke District, MMP in Buikwe District, and Tian Tang in Mukono. ii) To-date, a total of 628 companies/industries have been allocated land within the various industrial parks, 47 per cent of which are in manufacturing. Out of all the companies allocated land, 307 are fully operational, 195 are undertaking construction, and 122 have commenced preparatory activities. The parks have attracted a total capital investment of $4.5 billion and created 181,403 jobs. iii) Madam Speaker, several industrial parks have become centres of innovation, hosting firms that have introduced new technologies and products, such as: a single HIV pill (Quality Chemicals Ltd); GIS transformers (Orion Electricals); plastic-to-fabric recycling (Fei Long Investment Ltd); locally manufactured electric vehicles (Kiira Motors); the first powder-free surgical gloves (East African Medical Vitals); and import substitution products like fridges, transformers, toiletries, textiles, ceramics, televisions, and blankets. iv) The government has supported industrialisation by investing in strategic manufacturing facilities through Uganda Development Corporation with a total investment of Shs 1.2 trillion. Madam Speaker, next financial year, I have provided Shs 308.9 billion to further support infrastructure development in industrial parks, including roads, waste management, drainage, and utilities; and Shs 187 billion for capitalisation of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC). Security, Good Governance, and Rule of Law Madam Speaker, security, good governance and the rule of law are the foundation for socio- economic transformation. Everybody knows that. During this financial year, the following achievements were registered: i) Strengthened and modernised the security infrastructure to protect Ugandans, investors and our visitors from any security threats. We have invested in security apparatus and more sophisticated intelligence network and border control mechanisms. ii) Provided adequate funds to security institutions, including the Military, Police, Prisons, and intelligence agencies for operations, and improving the capacity and welfare of men and women in uniform. iii) Promoted regional and international relations, including playing a strategic role in peace processes in Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Equatorial Guinea;

17528 BUDGET SPEECH Administration of Justice The following achievements were registered: 1. The Judiciary has significantly scaled up Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms like mediation, plea bargaining and small claims procedures, reducing justice costs and speeding up dispute resolution. For example, in 2024, a total of 3,391 cases were resolved through mediation. In addition, plea bargaining achieved a success rate of 87 per cent; 2. Completed the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Rukungiri High Court, and Budaka and Patongo Magistrate Courts. Five new High Court Circuits in Wakiso, Entebbe, Kumi, Lugazi, Patongo and 10 Magistrates’ Courts were operationalised, bringing the total to 268 courts countrywide. Construction is ongoing of regional Appeal Courts in Gulu and Mbarara, Soroti and Tororo High Courts, and Karenga Magistrate’s Court. This will further reduce travel distances for justice; and 3. There is increased use of technology in the delivery of justice. The Electronic Court Case Management System is now operational in 20 courts, boosting filing rates by 20.6 per cent. Additionally, 20 courts have video conferencing systems, enabling online case handling which has improved efficiency. Madam Speaker, I have provided Shs 602.7 billion next financial year, under the Administration of Justice Programme, for strengthening Alternative Dispute Resolution, increased use of technology in justice delivery, building more courts to improve access to justice and increasing the civil jurisdiction of magistrates’ courts. Legislation and Oversight The Legislature has registered several achievements during Financial Year 2024/2025. Parliament held 75 sittings and passed 35 Bills, concluded three petitions, passed 45 resolutions and adopted 53 reports. Most importantly, the turnaround time for enactment of legislation has reduced significantly. Banange , Parliament tugikubire mu ngalo . (Applause) I commend you, Rt Hon. Speaker, for this tremendous achievement. Madam Speaker, I have provided a total of Shs 1.03 trillion next financial year for legislative processes, public engagements and outreach, providing parliamentary oversight of democracy and governance, ensuring accountability for public funds and implementation of public programmes. Management of Natural Disasters Madam Speaker, to protect Ugandans from disaster, this financial year, Government invested Shs 200.3 billion in early warning systems, mitigation interventions, the provision of relief items to the affected households and communities in the disaster-prone areas. In the next financial year, I have provided Shs 20.7 billion plus a contingency fund of Shs 169 billion to support disaster management. I have also provided Shs 12.4 billion for improving meteorological services and early warning systems to improve efficiency and accuracy of weather forecasting for agriculture, air travel and climate change tracking. Elimination of Domestic Arrears Government has put in place a strategy to eliminate domestic arrears in three financial years starting FY 2025/26. Payment of domestic arrears will prioritise suppliers of goods and services, contractors and compensations for land and to all claimants. I have increased the allocation for domestic arrears to Shs 1.4 trillion from Shs 200 billion provided this financial year. To prevent accumulation of new arrears starting next financial year, my ministry shall implement the following measures and they are not easy measures: 1. enforcement of the commitment control system; 2. sanctioning accounting officers responsible for creation of any arrears;

Temulina motoka zaffe? Mulina bakulu bokka? Abakulu tubamanyi. Ah! Bannange, Kiira mugirabye? Kiira , our visitors – freeze it there – Kabagirabire ddala – laba bano – (Laughter)- bagiteekako ne bagijjako ! Freeze it there. Now, those buses are electric buses manufactured by your children here; from zero to the whole thing. They are called “Kiira”. “Kiira” is our name for the Nile. The Nile – other people call it the Nile but we call it “Kiira”. Even the South Sudanese use the same name. That is why His Excellency, Salva Kiir’s name means Nile. His name means Nile. These people are making the buses, the smaller cars, and all other vehicles. Thank you. You can now show the big people. Obalabye ab’ebitiibwa? So, I want to commend the Ugandan scientists for nurturing our nascent knowledge economy. Our scientists have been active in developing automobiles, vaccines, electronics, therapeutics, diagnostics, and other healthcare tools. The innovations include: 1. The Kiira vehicle plant in Jinja, which has an annual capacity of 2,500 vehicles and an employment potential of 12,000 direct and indirect workers. There are 39 buses operating on our roads from Kiira; and 30 buses are under production. The plant has secured a market in West Africa to supply about 3,700 electric buses; 2. Dei Biopharma Manufacturing Facility in Matugga. Can you show us that one there? That one is a clever Ugandan who is heavily supported by the Government, but he has also attracted some support from other places. The Dei Biopharma Manufacturing Facility in Matugga has filed more than 100 patents in the United States, including a cancer treatment technology based on the gene therapy; a highly potent gene therapy technology for red blood cell generation by the bone marrow, an mRNA vaccine that treats brain degenerative tissue disease, an anti-malaria vaccine, a vaccine for HIV, a one-month insulin shot; a type 1 diabetes vaccine, a universal foot and mouth disease vaccine, and a biological molecule for penicillin. All these patents are there. You can check them with your people. Magoola, I do not know whether – is Magoola here? If he is here, he can stand up and you see him; 3. Developing the vaccines for the Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and the Rift Valley virus; 4. Accreditation of the Alfasan Vaccine manufacturing facility to produce anti-tick vaccines for the second phase of clinical trials; 5. Professor Ogwang’s clinical trials of his natural therapeutics. He is also establishing an internationally certified production facility in Soroti Industrial Park;

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

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for that guidance. As we speak, apparently we have lost most of this public land due to a lot of fraudulent processes that have been done to dispose of them. Development happens on land, not in the air. Therefore, for purposes of this particular request by KCCA that has been brought to the attention of the Parliament, I ask honourable colleagues that we support and authorise them to go ahead and dispose them off because due diligence has been done by the committee, and the purpose for which it is going to be disposed of is very clear to us. In the cities of Mbarara, Kampala, Lira, Soroti, Gulu and Arua, most public land has been fraudulently disposed of. We should put our feet on the ground and form a committee so that we are able to go through them. If we do not do that and this process of disposing of public land in a fraudulent way continues, the Government will lose a lot of public land. Madam Speaker, it is also true that we cannot leave this public land in the cities redundant for long, yet we can authorise investment on it. You cannot talk about development when there is no land. As long as there is due diligence and

Voto D.slgth flant{5ffi@Ol 151 Umnda Blood Ttansfusion Service ruBfSl 40.012.930 153 Rrblic Pnocuremerrt & Disposal of Assets PPDAI 25.382,O74 154 Uganda National Bureatr of Standards (UNBSI 96.3L9.774 156 Usanda Ianrd Commission rurcI 77.483.347 t57 National Forestry AuthoritvNFAl 25,372,421 158 Internal Securitv Organization (ISOI 223.119.370 159 Extcrnal SesuriU Organization (ESOI 138.055.477 163 Ueanda Retirements Benefits Reculatory Authoritv L2,544,833 L64 National Council for Higher Education 15.040.773 166 National Council of Sports 51.686.604 t67 Science, Technolorry and Innoration 320.645.439 168 Uganda Fneezones and Drport Pnomotion Authority 13.407,400 169 Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessrnent Board 59.364.482 301 Makerere UnftrcrsiB 352,491,158 302 !4barara University 66.L28,263 303 Makererre Uni\rersity Business Sctrool 152.792.270 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsitv L47,329,059 305 EUsiterra Unftrcrsity 61.397.305 306 Muni Unft/crcity 35.646.403 307 I(abale Unftrcrsitv 66,494,406 308 Soroti Unirrcrsity 41,489.749 3(x) Gulu UnftrcrsiB 77.349.889 310 Lira Unftrcrsitv 41.429,L35 311 law Development Ccntte. 33.826.230 3L2 Uganda Management Instihrtc 40.390.085 313 Mountains of the Moon Unftrcrsitv I 4t.o97.366 401 Mulaso National Rcferral Hospital 103,968,487 402 --, Butabika s a I

Votc ' . '- _-':i'- UculnUo rmrt(UGXOOOI RGfGrrl Horpltdt 403 Arua Hoqrital 11,525,914 404 Fort Fortal Hospital 12.943.6L9 405 Gulu Hospital L4.57L.970 406 Hoima Hospital 13,313,426 407 Jinja Hospital 18.335.966 408 Kabale Hospital 12.100.368 409 Masaka Hospital 13,452,7L2 410 Mbale Hospital 16,738.569 4Lt Soroti Hospital 9.9t2.492 412 Lira Hospital L5.522.676 413 Mbarara Recional Hospital 18,645,268 4t4 Mubende Rcsional Referral Hospital L2.292.t33 415 Monoto Resional Rcferrd Hospital 11.150.847 4L6 Nacuru Referral Hospital L4,902,927 417 Kinrddu Refenal Hospital 27.401.331 418 I(awern c Rcferral Hospital 26.564.466 4t9 Entebbe Reeional Referral Hoepital 17.281,838 420 Mulaso Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 30.925.771 42L Karrunga Referraf Hospital 14.772.948 422 H Yumbe Referral ffudoar Abroad 1 501 Ugqnda Mission at the United Nations, New York 18.306.699 502 Uganda High CotDrlission in the United Kinedom L5.640.947 503 Uganda High Comrnisaion in Canada . Ottawa 10.323.859 504 Uganda High Cornrnission in India. New Delhi 8,877,777 505 Qgrnrniggign i11 1 506 in Tanzania , Dar es gnlaarn \ 12.790.806 507 Ugand**IiEh Qsrnrnisgiqn in Niqeria. Abuia /'a^, \ 6,699,770 ( ,$ t 2,A # -ffuT a8e

Votc eoAf,iltoa rmil|Uq*omT t46 Rrblic Service Counission (PSCI 2,541,500 t47 Local Crovemmcnt Finance Corraission(LGFCl 1,500,000 148 Judicial Service Corrmission(JSCI 2,496,31O 150 Nationd Envinonment Manasemcnt Authoritv NEMAI 8,130,148 151 Uganda Blood Ttansfirsion Service (LrBTSl 4,L26,676 153 Rrblic Procurement & Disposal of Assets IPPDA) 1.295.400 154 Uganda National Bureau of Standards fi.INBSl 35,550,000 156 Ustnda I:nd Cornrnission rurc| 26,920,OOO 157 NAgeqd Forestnr AuthoritvNFAl 2t.287.691 158 I4tE41tel Security Organization (ISO) 10,241,000 159 External Security Organization (ESOI 702.O72 163 qp4dajgtir€Eents Benefits Rcgulatory Authoritv 720,OOO L64 Natiorml Council for Highcr Eclucation 100.000 166 National Council of Sports 45t.226903 167 Science, Technologtr and Innovation 40.998.100 168 Usanda Freezones a4d Drport Pnomotion Authority 2.357.698 169 Uganda Vocational end Technical Assess"rent Board r0.330.876 301 Makerere U4iircrsity 33.9L9.237 302 Mbarara UnfuersiB 34.740.706 303 Makerere UniversiBBusiness Sctrool 1.881.595 304 Kyanbogo Unftrcrsity 3.989.831 305 Busitema Unfuersjty LL.404.826 306 Muni Unftrcrsity 3,768.286 307 IGbale UniversitV 2.056.269 308 Soroti Unftrcrsitll 10.987.980 309 Gulu Unftmsity 2L.836.718 310 Lira Unfuersity 4.412.239 311 law Derrclopment Centne. 4.357.193 3L2 Uganda Mana8ement Instihrte 313 Mountains of the It@oqUnfurcrsity 5.151.599 401 Mulago National Rsferral Hospital 23.3t5.487 402 ffi Butabika R.fcErl 403 Arua 4,790,096 404 Fort Portal Hospitel A ) 114,518 405 ) Gnlu Hospitat -^ /-K ',lJ w_ 108,000 52 lPa \s & ^*dE'. It

Vot :, utilttfffm frffid(UAXmO'l 406 Hoima Hospital r08.000 407 Jinja Hospital 108.000 408 Kabale Hospital 108.000 409 Masaka Hospital 108.000 410 Mbate Hospital 1.408.000 4LL Soroti Hospital 108.OO0 4t2 Lira Hospital 108.O00 4L3 Mbarara Reeional Hospital 108.000 4L4 I&leode Reeional Rcferral Hospital 135.000 415 Moroto Regional Referrat Hospital 130.139 4L6 Nqgq4LLReferral Hospital 7.2L6.OOO 4L7 IEryddfr Referral Hospital 1.377.O00 418 I(awem.pe Refql Hospital 810,OOO 419 Entebbe Resional Beferral Hospital 810.000 420 Mulaso Specializd Women and Neonatal Hospital 2,O4L.200 42L Kanrnm Referraf Hospital 300,000 422 I flrloar Abrocd 501 Uganda Mission at the Unitcd Nations, New Yo,rk 1.092,000 502 Umnda Hish ConEission in the United Kinsdom 503 Usanda Hish Commission in Canada. Ottawa 17,687.4L3 504 Umnda Histl ComEission in lrdia. New Deltri 505 Uganda Hisb Commission in lGtrya,Nairobi 3,390.O00 506 Usanda Hinh Commission in Tanzania . Dar es Salaam 6,390,000 so7 Uganda High Cpmmission in Nigeria, Abuja 508 Uganda High Commksion in South Africa, Pletoria 150,000 509 Uganda Hiih Commission in Rtrnanda, Kigali 510 Uganda Embassy in the United States , Washington 511 Upnda Embassy in Egrpt, Cair! 5L2 Ueanda Embassv in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa 513 Uganda Embassy in China. BeiiinE lt. 514 UFnaa Embassrr in Snilzerlsnd. Geneva utl 400,000 515 Uganda Embassy in Japan. Tokyo WD 516 5L7 Uganda Embassy in Denmark, Copenhagen ,f -H I 7 518 uganda EmbaEsrrin Belsium, Brussels /V \ ' 7 \-- 4.g68.s87 N s N$ a 53 d

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity. I stand here to second the motion to pay tribute to the late Pope Francis. Madam Speaker, I come from the Holy Family Parish in Soroti Catholic Diocese, which is located in Gweri. Pope Francis was the first Jesuit priest to be Pope, the first Latin American, and also the first Pope who had been born and raised outside Europe since the 8 th century, when we had Pope Gregory the Third. When we talk about Pope Francis, we talk about a Holy Father whose leadership of the Catholic Church was characterised by humility, simplicity, and a break from the tradition of having church leaders at that senior level detached from the flock they lead. I personally had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis five times when we travelled to the Vatican. Madam Speaker, because of his Jesuit background – (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. However, when you look at the Bugisu sub-region and you see the terrain – yes, for example, last year you provided Shs 7 billion per district. When all that is put, the following day it is all swept away by the rains. We have always asked in our plan, and why can’t we provide low-cost sealing for those roads? We can go slowly, but we shall reach there because you put it there today, and the following day it is all washed away, and we go back to zero. That should inform our planning as a ministry so that we can use our meagre resources for the good of our country. Secondly, I wonder, honourable minister, what road you use when you are going to Soroti or Teso. If you use the Jinja highway, I think it is important that we get timelines about the Jinja- Kampala Highway so that we know what we are talking about. The road that brings every good into this country, and you sit there overnight trying to access the city. It is embarrassing, honourable minister. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am privileged because the Minister is a user of the roads in Soroti District, so he will know all those that I am talking about. I appreciate the allocation to the low-cost ceiling roads and to the low-volume roads. I have seen the report make mention of Soroti and honourable minister, please take note of Arapai- Katine-Tubur Road, Atilir-Acuna, Asuret-Aukot Road. I am giving you this because you are a consumer of that service. Also, honourable minister, you promised to take some of our roads. We did a tour in Soroti, and my voters saw you. They were very hyped, but now, I am really stranded with no answers. Some of them go and to Amuria, please save me because I am in bad shape. They know that I took the minister there, but nothing has been done. Honourable minister, save me and also save yourself. Thank you very much.

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues in thanking the committee for the well-elaborated presentation. On behalf of the people of Lango, we would like to thank the Government for the Apac-Rwenkunye road and the rehabilitation of the Soroti-Kamdini Road. Lango is the third highest payer of taxes in this country, but our road bitumen coverage is three per cent, and these are mainly roads that the former Governments constructed. Since the inception of this Government, it has constructed only the Apac-Rwenkunye Road. I request that the Lira-Aloi-Abim-Kotido Road be especially put in this budget. This has been in the manifesto for two consecutive terms. There was even a time we were called for a handover; the ministry disappeared up to date. This would boost business because we have enough industries to supply northern Uganda. We need a connection. Thank you so much. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would also like to draw the attention of the Minister of Works and Transport, who comes from Teso, to the Soroti-Gweri-Toroma-Katakwi Road. You promised that you were going to put it in the budget. The report has been read, but we have not seen it yet this is a shortcut to your home. Because the road is in bad shape, it makes you and even the Vice-President travel a longer distance. (Laughter) Honourable minister, can you please put this road in the budget? I would like to appreciate the Government for the Shs 1 billion which is being allocated to the districts. It does good work, but the money is small. We still need more money for this activity. I have not seen in the report where the minister or chairperson says whether they will add more money or not. The other issue is on drainage and waterways on the roads. This is what is spoiling our roads. Even if we construct them today, if we do not put drainage systems well, the roads will still get spoiled tomorrow. Thank you.

17176 BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2025/2026 Soroti University The committee recommends that finance ministry allocates Shs 10 billion to Soroti University to support the new academic programmes that the university intends to run in the 2025/2026 Financial Year. Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development continues to support the university in the medium term with additional funding in order to complete most of the construction projects. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Water and Environment provides a solution to the degazettement of the Gulu Central Forest Reserve to enable the establishment of the university hospital. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports, in liaison with the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, process the land title and the finance ministry avails funds in a phased manner with an initial allocation of Shs 7 billion. Lira University The committee recommends that finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for the completion of the main administration block and Shs 10 billion to kick start the Lira University infrastructural project. The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) It lacks funds to improve infrastructure in its different campuses. Recommendation The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates to UMI a budget of Shs 15.2 billion, in a phased manner starting next financial year, to enable the institute to undertake its capital development, and Shs 2 billion to disseminate its research outputs. Mountain of the Moon University The committee recommends that the finance ministry allocates: i) An additional Shs 5.19 to increase staffing levels, especially the number of professionals at the university from the current; ii) An additional Shs 6.5 billion for contractual obligations for the construction of the Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Science lecture complex; and iii) Shs 4 billion for full implementation of the Mountain of the Moon Research Agenda, to enable the university to conduct transformative and scientific research for community, national development, as well as establishment and provision of materials and equipment for the incubation centre. Mr Speaker, the rest are details and I would like to conclude. I beg to move that the budget for the education, sports, and skills subprogramme for Financial Year 2025/2026 be approved. I beg to move. (Applause)

Mr Speaker, I want to thank the committee for the report. There are one or two things that they should be able to go sit and put right. You rightly guided on the presidential pledges and directives. The President, while campaigning in 2016 and 2021, pledged to provide sanitary pads to all the schools in Uganda, but that has never happened. Minister, how far have you gone in following up the presidential pledge on provision of sanitary pads in schools? I am asking this because it is one of the main causes of school dropouts especially in Soroti and the country. Number two, is thousands of our children who did not perform well in the new curriculum are still at home. Senior ones have joined and senior fives have joined. What about the thousands who failed to participate or failed to pass in the new curriculum? The new curriculum does not give them a path to move. Unfortunately, the ministry is still quiet. You have not told us what to do next. Finally, on recruitment, we want to ask Parliament to support the Ministry of Education and Sports. I have a school called Arapai Primary School with 900 students but it has only seven teachers, including a head teacher. We encourage Parliament to support the ministry – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, in April 2021, this Parliament, in its wisdom, passed a resolution to honour the doctors in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, following the miraculous operation they conducted by separating conjoined twins. Parliament made a resolution to honour that hospital by elevating it into a regional referral and teaching hospital. The challenge we were given at that time as leaders was to identify land. Our leaders have identified land at Soroti University to a tune of 50 acres. As I speak, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital does not have a medical ward because the ward that was built by whites a long time ago has collapsed; it does not have an X-ray machine, anaesthesiologist, orthopaedic doctor or an oxygen plant.

I can tell you it has nothing. I raised the matter because these are the things that are on the ground. I am happy that Hon. Ecweru and Hon. Okaasai whose patients are treated there, are both here. I raised a matter of a transformer to be put in Soroti Hospital so that we can produce oxygen, but Hon. Okaasai has not attended to me up to now. I would like to request that the issue of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is treated as an urgent matter. It is just a hospital by name. Hospitals are sick, but I think Soroti Hospital is sicker than all the hospitals in the country. I request you to take this matter seriously. Our people are dying. This is a regional referral hospital. Why would we call it a regional referral hospital and yet we do not even have Panadol in the hospital? The minister is looking at me. Please, listen to me and attend to this matter. Let us look for resources so that we invest in the hospital. We have got land, and the important thing left to do is to identify resources so that we can build the regional referral and teaching hospital in that area. Otherwise, Mr Speaker – (Interruption)

MR Speaker, just to supplement. I know my colleague is here – the truth is, while I am here, I am not supposed to make so much … but Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is sick. There is a need for me and my colleague, and all of us, and the committee to go to Soroti, and look at Soroti, and prescribe a solution. It is bad for the people and the Government.

There is so much that goes on in the Cabinet that we discuss, but I am telling you Soroti Hospital is sick.

No, I am not confirming the sickness. He referred to a transformer. First of all, we have got a special tariff for health facilities where we are charging only Shs 350 instead of Shs 780. That is one. Secondly, for all referral hospitals, we have a budget to provide them with dedicated lines. Mbale has already got a dedicated line. Soroti Regional Referral Hospital will also have a dedicated line within the budget that you are going to discuss here.

17023 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 APRIL 2025 came and stated that the hospital is sick and yet the people who go there are sick. How can a sick person treat a sick person? Is it procedurally right that Soroti Regional Referral Hospital should remain sick to treat sick people?

17058 APPROVAL OF BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2025/2026 generation, the Government is exploring the possibility of undertaking an 8,400 nuclear power project in Buyende. Feasibility studies have started. The Government also wishes to start a centre for Nuclear Science and Technology at Soroti University. The purpose of this is to have a project that will once and for all provide a substantial contribution of power to the grid. In order to attain this, the committee recommends that the Government provide at least Shs 10 billion for the purposes of feasibility study and commencement activities, and another Shs 3 billion for us to acquire the land that will enable us to undertake the 8,400-megawatt nuclear project in Buyende. Sustainable development of petroleum resources The committee recommends that the accounting officer of the Petroleum Authority of Uganda should enhance regulatory oversight so as to ensure the timely and cost-efficient completion of critical projects, including the drilling operations, oil extraction facilities, and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). The Status of the acquisition of right-of-way for the petroleum products pipeline (Buseruka to Mpigi) The committee notes that whereas progress has been made on the compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) along the refined products pipeline from Buseruka-Hoima- Mpigi, the funding for the construction of houses for PAPs that opted for relocation rather than together with titling of their pipeline corridor construction of the community infrastructure, lively restoration is still pending. The committee recommends that the Government provides adequate funding for all outstanding contractual obligations, including the PAP implementation, as well as the construction of resettlement houses. The feasibility study for the Tanzania-Uganda Natural Gas Pipeline The committee recommends that the Government should provide Shs 2 billion to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development for the gas pipeline feasibility study. Water and environment sector, support to the rural water project, source per village For every village in Uganda to get at least one safe water source, in line with the presidential directive, it would require Shs 1.5 trillion annually for the supply of the unserved villages in the country over the next five years. However, given the current financial constraints, the ministry requests Shs 50 billion, as additional funding, to implement a clean water source per village project in compliance with the presidential directive. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should provide Shs 50 billion to support the improvement of the water storage and distribution network expansion throughout the country. Inadequate budgetary allocations to the service acceleration project Service Coverage Acceleration Project (SCAP 100) under the National Water and Sewerage Corporation and SCAP 100 under the umbrella project of the ministry is one of the projects where the Government intends to ensure that even the townships, villages, and some rural growth areas receive piped water, as well as increase the distribution. Both of these projects have significantly suffered a severe cut of their budgets. SCAP 100 under national water to the extent of receiving only Shs 1 billion out of the Shs 30 billion, when the project was launched in 2019. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Government should provide an additional Shs 35.85 billion for SCAP 100 under the umbrella projects.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the chairperson for a substantive report. The chair raised an issue on exploration, where they need Shs 10 billion to do a feasibility study on the occurrence of uranium. I think this is a very good opportunity for our country. We have relied on hydropower for a long time and time has come for us to look at a diverse energy source. Therefore, I support that we give them the Shs 10 billion to do the feasibility study and we move to implement the uranium project in Soroti University. Also, I understand that it goes beyond Busoga. It is in Buhweju, Arua according to the mineral occurrence report in Uganda. Therefore, we need to extend because it is a very good opportunity for us to empower and also have a diverse energy source. On the issue of the CUP 100-umbrella, whenever you provide water to the community or to Ugandans, you will be broadening the resource base for this country. There might be issues with this 100-umbrella problem because usually, when you put a system in place, you must review it constantly. We have a bigger population coming up, and when you supply, you need to improve the system constantly but also resource the Ministry of Water. They do not receive enough money and MPs usually come here complaining about town councils with no running tap water. If it is there, it is not functioning. We need to give them this Shs 35.85 billion, then they can come back and account. We need to see water everywhere in Uganda. If we do not do this, then we cannot question them. I support looking for the funds and resource them. The Chairperson said that we should give them money to do afforestation. I think that money should be invested in supplying water to the people because people have built in wetlands, and by the time you remove them, roughly Shs 20-something billion can be used to provide water to the communities. Thank you and thank the chairperson for the report.

Thank you. I thank the committee for doing a very good job. I would like to start from where you stopped. Last year, about this time, you still voiced the same sentiments about national water, if you recall and directed the same thing. This year, you have repeated the same statement and I hope that Government is going to heed to what the House has directed regarding the arrears that national water requires to be paid. There has been an allocation of Shs 50 billion to rural water. I want to support this allocation. Our women, who come from very rural parts of Uganda, grapple with access to clean and safe water. I urge the ministry to see how to equitably distribute these resources. Many times different constituencies receive access to clean water while others are doing very badly. In Soroti, I still have villages where people drink the same water that animals drink. It is very unhealthy and I request the ministry for water to, please, support us. Mr Speaker, there has been an allocation for restoration of the environment, and I differ with Hon. Brenda Nabukenya on that. It is very critical to allocate funds for the restoration of the environment. The effects of climate change have become more real to us today. Mr Speaker, the vegetation cover of our country is being depleted. I beg that we budget not only for restoration, but also enforcement. I come from Soroti District, which is the corridor that many people who are burning

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the chairperson and the committee for the good report. My issue goes to the town councils and other urban town councils, which were mentioned in a statement made by the minister at Kololo. My town council, Mukura Town Council in Ngora District, was among those that the minister said that this financial year, the work to extend piped water would be complete. However, since the beginning of this financial year, nothing has been done. I want to believe that it is the same thing happening to other town councils, and since town councils accommodate a lot of human population, I implore the chairperson and the Minister of Water and Environment, those town councils should be given priority so that some of those unfinished projects can also be completed. Secondly, I would like to borrow from a colleague who proposed that according to the current proposal, a village is supposed to have a borehole, but I was shocked that in Ngora District, when the LC V said that in every financial year, it is only two boreholes are allocated to Ngora District. He went ahead to say that in the ministry, Ngora District is said to have been covered 90 per cent, meaning that almost every village has a borehole. A colleague has just mentioned that she is always burdened to repair and even drill boreholes, and that is what is happening in those districts where boreholes are very few. It is even worse in water-stressed areas like Ngora District, Soroti, Katakwi, Amuria, Agago and others- (Member timed out.)

16913 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 In those districts – for example, instead of travelling to Tororo, we could think about a cooperative to serve people in that community. I hope that when the minister is presenting the other report, the information will be given to members. The other question on jua kali was from Hon. Aogon, about Kumi, but it is a national program. It might not reach everywhere but it is a very good initiative. Those who have benefited – I think Hon. Linda said it is a good programme. How do you get information? Let us not wait for information here. When you pass these things, follow up with us to see whether we are implementing them in the way you gave us money, and see how we run it. Otherwise, this is a very good program because it supports the young people who are out of school, like these young girls who, unfortunately, get pregnant before they are 18 years old. They cannot get the youth fund because when they go there, they are told “No, you are now a mother” and when they come to the women fund, they are equally told “No, you are not yet 18 years”. They are in the middle there. So, we have that category of people who do not have a sense of belonging, which is a critical issue. I would like to say something about the issue of street children. Recently, there has been a growth in street children. This time, they are organised and are becoming gangs. One of my friends from Soroti talked about it. In Soroti, they call them “ owok owok ”. These children can even undress you, get your bag and pour out everything. When you have organised a party, they come and carry away all the food. It is going to be a very critical thing in society. The reason we are asking for money is to see how we can build capacity for the parents, children and the community before we talk about enforcement. So, the ministry needs this money to begin building confidence in the community. Many parents have become - I will not call it carelessness but they are not responsible for their young people, and because they are dropouts, they have been left on their own. The others were proposals, which we are going to take on as a ministry but I think I need to see what other things were brought in. Hon. Kwizera, I think your suggestion was more on what we can generally support and see how we can work on them. I would like to give Hon. Atkins hope that we are working. We are not a white elephant; we might not have reached Kasese, but we will. The money for the old persons is already being disbursed. Sometimes they give them Shs 75,000 per quarter instead of Shs 25,000. but I would like to remind the House that you passed the Parish Development Model (PDM) money, which has percentages. Can we follow up and know whether the percentages are working? Ten per cent is for the old people. Go back to your parish and know whether the Shs 10 million has been given to 10 old people, Shs 10 million to 10 disabled people, and Shs 30 million must be given to the women at the parish level. This is again our responsibility, as members of Parliament, to do the tracking. Where is the money? We have just left this money to go and I hope my brother, Hon. Magyezi, will agree with me - recently, I was with him and he asked: “How many disabled have received?” For me, they have only given 1 per cent. So, I am still asking about my 9 per cent because I am both a minister and a Member of Parliament. When you look at the records and you see only 1 per cent, you wonder about where the other money is, yet it is over. So, Hon. Okot, let us follow up on what the wazees are supposed to receive. What I am reporting here is that they have gone beyond theirs because according to the report from the Local Government, they are at

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

Madam Speaker, I want to appreciate, strongly, your communication to the august House and agree with you that we are in the time of political process, that makes absenteeism or delays by some Members to take place. Truly, to confirm it, we are hearing voices that we want to settle, since we are in the time of budgeting. The other time, members of the Democratic Party were holding their national conference in Soroti, and I saw Hon. Nobert Mao, a minister in the NRM Government, crying about how his agreement with the National Resistance Movement was not being fulfilled. It is also my prayer that since he is working with the same Government, they should conclude those cooperative agreements that he made with the National Resistance Movement in the boardroom since our people are busy concentrating on using the Parish Development Model money. They should leave us to handle very important matters like issues that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister talked about yesterday of some Members who are printing ballot papers in Jinja. Bad enough, they are not here, Madam Speaker. I want to protect myself by not talking or mentioning their names. If Hon. Namugga was here, I would have mentioned it –

16769 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025 Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport – Shs 955.812 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Works and Transport requires Shs 955.812 billion to be provided as follows: 1. Shs 63.512 billion to cover the cost of terminal benefits for staff impacted by RAPEX under UNRA and Uganda Road fund; 2. Shs 61 billion for outstanding obligations on the SGS compensation for the non-tax revenue (NTR) (Shs 15 billion), Soroti Flying School/East African Civil Aviation Academy, Railways, Kalangala, and National Review Board; 3. Shs 500 billion, outstanding debt against the interim payment certificates for the National Roads Projects and the District and Urban Community Access Roads (DUCAR); 4. Shs 40.2 billion for the construction of a steel jetty at Pakwach Bridge and access roads to a cement factory in Karamoja; and 5. Shs 291.1 billion for the preliminary works for the commencement of the Malaba- Kampala SGR project to finance the works under the limited notice to proceed. The committee recommends approval of Shs 955.812 billion to Vote 016. Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development – Shs 928.014 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development requires Shs 928.014 billion for the following: 1. Umeme buyout (Shs 725.42 billion), and Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Shs 190 billion; 2. Shs 7 billion for the construction of a dedicated power line in Ntungamo, to provide reliable power to the Inspire Africa Coffee Factory and H5 Tin Factory. The line will pick its supply from the Mirama Hills substation and will be completed in six months; and 3. Shs 5.59 billion reimbursement of funds utilised from the electricity transmission infrastructure project which were used to pay for outstanding thermal power capacity charges. The committee recommends the approval of Shs 928.014 billion to Vote 017. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development – Shs 8.53 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development required: a. Shs 4.6 billion for the national celebrations - Women’s Day, Youth Day, Day for Older Persons and People with Disabilities and Labour Day; and b. Shs 3.88 billion to support Masuulita Remand Home. The committee recommends approval of Shs 8.53 billion to vote 018. Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities – Shs 3.24 billion The committee observed that the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities requires Shs 3.24 billion for additional NTR. The committee was informed that the NTR collected by the Uganda Hotel and Tourism Training Institute in Jinja from school fees and hotel revenue is to be used for the payment of contractual gratuity, training, and operationalisation of the new administration block. The committee recommends approval of Shs 3.24 billion to Vote 022.

The question I have is that, Prime Minister, you put in money – I think in Financial Year 2019/2020 – to do a theatre at Kaberamaido General Hospital, but it was not completed. It needs just about Shs 700 million. In fact, I have been told that if the UPDF does it, they will even do it for less – to finish and furnish it. As I speak to you now, all our caesarean section cases are taken to Soroti. We need just a little bit of a push to complete the theatre and for it to become functional. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My concern is that in Soroti, teachers were asked to attend the training, which they attended for one week. However, those who were not able to make it had no other training or anywhere to go and seek training. I would like to ask the ministry to consider such. Also, parents are very happy when they see the results when they, for example, see that their daughters with results reading E, E, E, E. Now, the person comes to you wondering whether you to support them. They are moving up and down because there is no school that takes somebody. Maybe the ministry should come up with some guidance such that these people will not continue moving with results reading E, E, E, E or D, D, D, D. Madam Speaker, the other thing I would like to say is that the schools that have performed well are embracing the programme, the new curriculum. For example, in Ave Maria High School in Gweri, all the children passed and are very happy – not E,E,E,E,D,D,D,D but A,A,A,A,A,A. However, the curriculum is too costly. In the case of project work, you have STATEMENT ON THE UNEB GRADING SYSTEM

16384 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION Tuesday, 25 February 2025 Therefore, on 3 March 2025, we will meet here to discuss women’s issues and see how best we can be able to help a woman. Once you have an empowered woman, then you have an empowered nation. That is what we need to do. I ask you to support our women out there to be able to come here. Honourable members, we have had a number of issues in schools - and this still takes us to parenting. There is a kid who drowned in a swimming pool. Teachers need to take up the responsibility once parents entrust children to them. You cannot have a kid who has never gone to a swimming pool, just pushed there because they can drown. It is a very bad thing. We also heard about a kid who was slaughtered in Soroti and dumped in a pit latrine. After removing that kid, they got four other skulls in the same latrine. We also heard of a kid who committed suicide in Seeta High School. We need to do a lot of parenting for our children and the teachers equally need to help us with these children. They need to understand the children they are dealing with. Teachers, once you are entrusted with people’s children, please take responsibility for them. We will make sure that if it is you who are entrusted with the kid, you take personal responsibility as a teacher. If you think the school should take responsibility, it is you, the teacher, to take personal responsibility. You cannot be here, the kid does not know how to IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 16TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met 1.59 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Can you get in touch with the Electoral Commission and let us know whether you are with them? Let us have that one done and we have elections for the National Women’s Council - the Member for Soroti has not finished. Hon. Acom, are you not repeating the issue of International Women’s Day? You, ladies, celebrate your Women’s Day but within the law, peacefully and in an orderly way.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. We should also be allowed to invite chief guests of our choice. Madam Speaker, I want to say something on the issue of a six-year-old child, who was slaughtered in the toilet in Soroti. There is vivid evidence about this slaughter, and I thank the police which has managed to handle this issue. I request that as leaders, we follow it up closely. This team of people should actually - if it were under my reach, possibly, they would have also been slaughtered - (Interjection) - it is evident that one of the children testified –

I was actually surprised with all the leaders of Soroti: nobody had ever raised this. That is why I was forced to bring it up. When I saw you here, speaking, I said: “I am now seeing Soroti.” Nobody brought it up for all these days – (Interjections) – yes, somebody is giving information about that very serious matter – of the kid.

Madam Speaker, I appeal to you to interest yourself in this matter. This matter should not be managed locally in Soroti; the file will be misplaced. I appeal to you, Madam Speaker, to interest yourself in this file, so that we follow this matter up to its logical conclusion.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and our able chairperson, for the very good presentation. I am here to present a minority report on these particular loans. This minority report was signed by four Members: myself, Hon. Hassan Kirumira, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu from Soroti, Hon. Charles Tebandeke, and Hon. Denis Lee Oguzu. We dissented from the majority committee report on the following fundamental matters: 1. The President’s letter of consent to UDB borrowing; 2. Non-compliance with the constitutional provisions; 3. The high interest rates on loans from UDB to the wanainchi ; and 4. Inadequate information on UDB project beneficiaries. 2.1 Madam Speaker, the President’s letter of consent on UDB borrowing was categorical. It mentioned US$ 235 million. This House going ahead to approve piecemeal of what the President requested is problematic. We cannot know the main intention as to why we are getting piecemeal of what was needed by UDB. Going ahead to approve one of the loans and rejecting the other compromises the letter of the President that requested US$ 235 million. 2.2 Noncompliance with constitutional provisions Article 159 of the Constitution provides that the Government may borrow from any source and the terms and conditions of the loan shall be laid before Parliament and shall not come into operation unless they have been approved by a resolution of Parliament. This august House can only ascertain the terms and conditions of the facility in question by scrutinising the Draft Financing Agreement. At this juncture, we agreed with our honourable colleagues and consequently, they went ahead to reject one of the components of the loan. However, like I said earlier, if the total amount of the loan was US$ 235 million, there is no way we can reject part of the loan and accept the other when a directive from the President was categorical to the effect that we must borrow a certain amount of money to capitalise UDB. 2.3 The high interest rates on loans from UDB to wanainchi Madam Speaker, in the President’s letter of consent to borrowing, he pressed the issue of interest rate not to be more than 12 per cent per annum, for which UDB should lend to the wanainchi . Honourable colleagues, we feel that even the 12 per cent per annum interest rate to the wanainchi is too high, given that these loans are secured at less than 7 per cent. We request that Parliament and the Bank of Uganda instruct UDB to lend to the wanainchi at not more than 10 per cent because UDB money is taxpayers’ money, whose terms should align with other government development programmes like Emyooga and the Parish Development Model. We are not convinced about the interest charged on these loans because they are secured from Islamic lenders who do not attract interest. Sharia law is very specific with loans. When Muslim banks are lending out money, it is basically on mark up, not interest. We are now wondering how interest-free loans from Muslim countries are arriving in Uganda at an interest, and we are wondering who is going to benefit from that particular interest. More specifically, we continue to ask ourselves why we continue to secure credit on interest

16407 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 2025 from these lenders. Interest on loans has left many Muslim brothers and sisters out of the money economy since they cannot borrow on interest. In line with inclusivity, we ought to consider those who are against interest borrowing and this opportunity of borrowing from Muslim countries can help to that effect. 2.4 Inadequate information on UDB project beneficiaries Madam Speaker, before this House approves the funding, the Committee on National Economy needs to physically visit funded projects and real beneficiaries. Many times, this country has financed ghost projects, ghost workers and ghost pensioners, among others. The UDB credit is designed to benefit all regions in the country, but in many instances, it is the rich people in Kampala and the surroundings who benefit from these cheap finances to raise their storied buildings and arcades. I am not sure how many people from Luwero, Bukedea, Soroti and other areas of the country benefited from UDB. The committee finds no reason to visit a sample of the project beneficiaries before Parliament approves this loan. Madam Speaker, we recommend that though such loans do not directly impact Government debt, we can leave the aims and objectives for the inception and creation of Uganda Development Bank Limited (UDB) in saving the wanainchi through: i) The ministry responsible for finance updating the House on the exact loan amount needed to recapitalise UDB instead of going for a piecemeal loan as per the main committee report; ii) The ministry of finance, through the Bank of Uganda (BOU), recommends a single- digit interest rate to borrowers; iii) The Committee on National Economy visiting the UDB project beneficiaries and ascertaining the exact impact of these loans on the wanainchi; iv) The House being informed on how the Shariah permission clauses within the agreement will be employed to customers under the Bank of Uganda. Madam Speaker, we all agree that we are supposed to borrow as a country as per our budget, but borrowing needs to be a matter of necessity and it must follow the rules and procedures. I beg to submit.

Madam Chairperson, I withdraw it. If I do not want to wear a suit, let me go back to Soroti. I withdraw. Thank you very much. I withdraw “Toroma”.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of very urgent national importance regarding the absence of radiologists at our regional hospitals. Last week, I had a patient who was referred to do a CT scan. He went to Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. It was conducted, and they asked him to provide a phone number on a smartphone so that they could give him the video. Unfortunately, he had no smartphone. Therefore, the video had to be sent to another person who had a smartphone. Eventually, it was sent to me. They told him to go back after four days and get the results. At first I did not understand why it takes about four days until I asked a friend, an OB actually, who works in Mulago Hospital. That is when he explained to me that the policy has now changed: all the results are analysed centrally from Mulago yet there are very few radiologists working on those issues. Indeed, it took four days for the results to come. However, I was lucky that I had somebody who could interpret the results immediately and I got the results of my patient immediately. How about the other Ugandans who are unable to get people to help them interpret the results quickly? This is, to me, a very big problem, because emergency issues are not handled immediately. My plea to the Minister of Health is that this issue must be urgently handled since we are now in the budgeting process. Can we have radiologists employed and deployed? I am reliably informed that it is not only in Gulu. Even Soroti, Mbale, and Arua Regional Referral Hospitals have nothing. This is a crisis and many Ugandans are actually suffering silently. Madam Speaker, Ugandans need an urgent answer. Thank you.

Thank you so much. Rt Hon. Prime Minister - even Soroti has the same problem.

Those are public questions and they should not be private. Yes, Soroti Member of Parliament?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. This is an emotive matter. I am a victim of this. We suffered because of cattle raiding. We suffered because of the activities of Lakwena. This is an emotive question, and our hearts are bleeding. Our people have really suffered. Now that they are resettling, they are asking, when shall they be compensated by the Government, not only on the question of cattle but on the collapsed institutions of Government such as schools, health centres, roads - name them. We have suffered. Let me tell you a story. In 1987, the Government by that time said, “We have now captured power and civilians should hand over the guns.” You remember that very well – (Interjections) – honourable members, I do not want interference. I said this is an emotive matter. The people handed over the guns. The Government of Obote by that time had recruited militias among the civilians who were protecting their property. When the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came in and said we are now free of this, people handed over guns. The following day, raids occurred. Over 50 kraals were raided of over 200 cows in Soi – (Interjections) – some honourable members may take it as a joke but this is the truth. If you go to Serere Bugiri, Soroti, or Bukedea, right now, those Sabinys are there. For those who survived with their cows, as they were moving on the way, their cows were confiscated by the security forces again and taken. Their names are appearing now on the compensation list of Teso but the names “Che…Che” cannot again be compensated in Teso. This is where the problem is. How do we really manage this situation? Attorney-General, you have said that Sebei is not part of your mandate. Do you need a law for it? Do you need a law? We appreciate the fact that you have talked about the issues to do with the Acholi. Yes, very right; they suffered. Teso suffered. Equally, other subregions suffered the way Members have raised concerns, we are talking about equity in terms of the distribution of resources in this country. If we had regional referral hospitals, then we would be happy. If we had health centres iv, we would be happy. If we had ambulances, we would be so happy because that is the process of compensation of resources and equity in this country. Thank you. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The second issue that the Attorney-General needed to clarify is about the many claimants that were left out in these three sub-regions. Teso, 20,500 claimants who belonged to Julius Ochen’s leadership were left out—and they are known. We met them in Soroti. In Gulu, 5,733 claimants were left out, and they are verifiable. In Kole, 8,471 claimants were left out of the program—and these are verifiable figures. So, we thought that we would comment. In Karamoja - for the honourable members, I listened to them and some of them - we went to Karamoja, West Nile and Sebei. We did not stop in the other three sub-regions only. In Karamoja, you supplied data cards but you never picked them and the people are still there, waiting. When is the minister going to pick up those data cards? They filled them and are waiting, nobody has picked them. West Nile needs to hear you clearly. Some of them have even gone to court, and we met them. It is the same situation in Sebei. You need to be clear. In both West Nile and Sebei, there are some entries by the Prime Minister’s office. The Prime Minister’s office acts as if it is involved in compensation. It promises people that they will be paid, but no work is going on. I thought that you needed to clarify that. Mr Speaker, allow my deputy - just one issue she would like to clarify and then that will be all from us.

15705 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY , 23 JANUARY 2025 12. Vote 006 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Shs 488.205 million. The committee observes that Shs 488.205 million was required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for contributions to the Commonwealth Secretariat. This was to ensure Uganda honours its commitments to the Commonwealth Secretariat and enable Uganda’s effective participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which took place in Apia, Samoa from 21 to 26 October 2024. The committee recommends approval of Shs 488.205 million to Vote 006 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 13. Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development: Shs 6.311 billion The committee observed that Shs 6.311 billion was required by the minister for Operational Shortfalls for Uganda Telecom Limited (UTEL) which is a requirement for the administrator to release the land titles to facilitate the financial closure of UTEL investor. The Committee recommends approval of Shs 6.311 billion to Vote 008 - Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. 14. Vote 016 - Ministry of Works and Transport: Shs 50 billion The committee of the Shs 50 billion was required by the ministry for the completion of rehabilitation of the Tororo - Gulu Railway Line Project (Meter Gauge Railway). The committee recommends approval of Shs 50 billion to Vote 016 - Ministry of Works and Transport. 15. Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: Shs 4.882 billion. Committee observations: i) Shs 3.038 billion is required to meet the shortfalls for hosting the Ateker Reunion festival, which took place in Soroti. The funds were to cater for accommodation, and the attendant facilitation of the VVIPs invited to the festival; ii) Shs 1.292 billion is required to meet statutory expenditure and operational expenses, expenditures for subventions under the ministry, such as Social Assistance Grants for Empowerment (SAGE), Youth Livelihood Programme (YLP), Uganda Entrepreneurship Programme (UWEP) operations of the National Women’s Council; iii) Shs 551.601 million is required for contribution to the Commonwealth Youth Programme. This was to ensure Uganda’s commitment to the programme and enable effective participation in the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM), which was held in Apia, Samoa, in October 2024. The committee recommends approval of Shs 4.882 billion to Vote 018 - Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development. 16. Vote 020 - Ministry of ICT and National Guidance: Shs 11.33 billion. The committee observes that Shs 11.33 billion is required in order to facilitate wage requirements and operational shortfalls for Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). UBC was not provided funds in the budget for the Financial Year 2024/2025 for these wage requirements and operational shortfalls. The committee recommends approval of Shs 11.33 billion to Vote 020 - Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, as subvention to UBC. 17. Vote 023 - Ministry of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs: Shs 7.36 billion. The committee observed that Shs 7.36 billion is required to facilitate the operations of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Affairs GKMA Urban Development Project with detailed designs for roads and markets and

We can go to Page 20 of the report, which is on the general observations on the status of abattoirs. We start with functionality and suitability of the infrastructure. I am not going to read everything; I will just summarise. The committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/slaughterhouses in the country. It was noted that most of the local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements, which compromises hygiene and sanitary conditions. All the facilities visited had variations – some were old, some new, some moderate, and some small. Only 12 (63 per cent) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures - Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City Abattoir and Kalerwe. With the exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in poor condition manifested by the poor wall conditions, poor roofs and floors, and lacking tiles and terrazzo.

2 TERMSOFREFERENCE: The General objective of the oversight was to assess the general status of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. The Specifrc Objectives included: i. To assess the functionality and suitability of the facilities, infrastructure. ii. To establish functionality of utilities (water, electricity, sanitary facilities). iii. To establish the functionality of the waste management and disposal processes; level of sanitation and hygiene, waste disposal and management. iv. To assess the availability and competences of the human resources. v. To determine the availability and compliance to the legal and regulatory provisions. vi. To establish the quality assurance processes followed by abattoirs 3 METHODOLOGY: In execution of the Instruction, the Committee; a! Constituted regional teams. b! Developed a structured observation checklist that was used to obtain information about key parameters in the selected abattoirs/ slaughter houses. cl Conducted oversight visits to slaughter facilities in selected districts and cities that included; Mukono, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Mbarara, Masaka, Fort portal, Hoima, Masindi and Kampala. dl held meetings with stakeholders such as District, Municipal and City Veterinary Officers, facility owners, traders and workers to obtain detailed information about the operations of the slaughter facilities. el Held meetings at Parliament with: i. Ministry of Water and Environment ii. Ministry of Health Rg

Figure 4: Holdittg area of Mbale City Abattoir 6. loSoroti City Council Soroti Ciby has two abattoirs which are operated by a private entity contracted by Soroti City Council. These two facilities are the major slaughter house service providers for Soroti City. Soroti City has a siaughter facility for pigs. The committee was informed that the city council resolved to open up a pig slaughter point in order to regulate the hygiene of pork siaughtered in the region since many pork joints are being opened in the area. 6.11Lira City Lira City has two major abattoirs, but Lira Cify Abattoir is the biggest. It is managed by a private entity contracted by Lira City Council. The Lira Cattle Traders Association that runs the abattoir helps the city council to raise some minimal tax. 6, 12Kampala Capital City Kampala City has hve major Abattoirs / slaughter houses, these are; City Abattoir, Nsooba, Kishita, Wambizzi and Wankululu which are lq-.j 7 ately # N{

lv more suitdble and stdnd.drd. abattoir should be built to meet internatlonal standards of expot t. Jor Kannpala, KCCA should proulde tenders to operate and rnaintain the rrbrrttoirs and not onlg limit them to reuenue collectlon to enable mrrlntend.rl.ce of the factlities. 5.13GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON THE STATUS OF ABATTOIRS: 6,13.1 Functionalityandsuitabilityofthe Infrastructure: The Committee established that there are no standard designs of abattoirs/ slaughter houses in the country. It was noted that most local governments construct poorly designed infrastructure which do not meet the basic public health requirements which compromise the hygiene and sanitary conditions of the facilities. AII the facilities visited had variations; some old, some new, some moderate and some small. The facilities are either owned by government, privately owned or tendered out. Most of the facilities visited slaughter at least 10 to 30 cattle and about 10 to 15 goats per day. Taken together, the number of animals handled by the facilities selected in the five regions fall in the category of small size abattoirs which sit on an average of 1-2 acres of iand and handle up to 30,000 animal units per year. Only 12 (63%) of the 19 facilities visited had standing structures; (Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Masindi, Hoima, Jinja, Iganga, Mbale, Lira, Soroti, City abattoir and Kalerwe). With exception of the new facility in Hoima, the rest of the structures were in a poor condition manifested by poor wall conditions, poor roofs, floors and lacking tiles and terrazzo. Al1 the facilities had slaughter spaces, however, with the exception of the new facility in Hoima City, the slaughter as for all other facilities were 20 NFJ

below the standards of a modern abattoir. Taken together, only 21 percent of the facilities had identifiable slaughter spaces, namely Masaka and Mbarara (Central and Western Uganda), Jinja and Iganga (Eastern Uganda) City abattoir in Kampala. However, the slaughter spaces were very small, lacked concrete and hard slabs. Generally, the features of the facilities visited fall short of the characlerization of a modern abattoir. with exception of the new facility under construction; Kyentale Ward in Hoima City, nearly all the facilities visited had poor equipment and infrastructure establishment which is typical of local and traditional slaughter houses with old fashion means of operation. A modern city abattoir should have at least automated systems such as cold rooms for storage, pulleys for hoisting carcass, reliable water and electricity as opposed to the manual operations which cause delays and compromise the meat quality. Further, a modern facility should have a laboratory for testing animal health and the meat products. This includes diagnosing and confirming the suspicious cases to maintain public health measures. In the current form of the abattoirs, animals and the carcass are examined on the basis of physical characteristics which may not be sufficient to make empirical conclusions. A mini veterinary laboratory will be vital for diagnosing blood and meat to confirm the suspicious cases and maintain public health measures. Abattoirs can be a source of zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted from animals to humans) and may expose workers to harmful pathogens. Further, none of the slaughter houses had specific structures for birds (poultry) and goats and only few had slaughter structures for pigs, these were in Masaka (Pork Master Ricks) Soroti and Mukono Municipalify, but all had small shelters with roofs erected on poles. Ei 21

6.L3,2 Functionality of Utilities The utilities under this section inciuded water, electricity and sanitary facilities such as ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs). 6.13.2.1 Water Of all the facilities visited, only 6 (31%) had running (tap) water, connected to the NWSC. Some of the facilities such as Mbarara city and Soroti abattoir had water harvest tanks, Fort Portal facility had reserve water tanks while others such as Jinja had extra water facilities such as borehole. The rest such as the Masaka Pig slaughter space, Hoima City Abattoir depend on water ferried using jerricans. Some of those with water connections reported intermittent connection breakdowns, for instance, in Masaka City Abattoir, where the staff reported using jerricans when the NWSC water is off. Other facilities such as Jinja City abattoir had been disconnected by the NWSC due to accumulated arrears for water bills. 6.13.2.2 Electricitg The Committee noted that out of all the facilities visited about 21 percent were connected to the national power grid. These include Masaka City Abattoir, Mbarara City Modern Abattoir, Kibimba City Council Abattoir, Kalerwe, City Abattoir, City Abattoir and Jinja. Majority of the facilities were operating without power services because of lack of connection to the power grid while others such as Mbale City abattoir were disconnected due to unpaid power bills. The Committee observed that the lack of power connection stifles the functionality of the facilities especially during late and early morning hours where the staff are compelled to use alternative lighting facilities such as torches. The situation is made worse during busy seasons such as holidays which require slaughtering more animals than usual. The slaughtering of 23 NLJ

Thank you, Mr Speaker. You have called me the MP from Soroti, but I am from Ochero in Kaberamaido -

Okay. The industrial courts, LDC interventions that contribute to justice service delivery, court-related forensic analysis interventions, LC courts, DPP interventions that contribute to justice service delivery are more directly related to the administration of justice programme. Therefore, the committee recommends that all the interventions currently under the governance and security programme that relate to the enhancement of equitable access to justice for social economic development and the strengthening of justice service delivery systems should be transferred to the administration of justice programme. It is an issue of alignment of the 18 programmes, as highlighted above. Regionally balanced development The committee observes that although commendable progress has been registered in reducing poverty, regional disparities have, however, remained and increased vulnerabilities across regions. The chairman had mentioned it, so, I will not read it. The committee recommends that the Government prioritises the development and implementation of regional development plans, including comprehensive regional physical plans, to ensure balanced economic growth, equitable service delivery, and equitable resource distribution. I would have asked for an investment map, but the committee did not allow. Promotion of games and sports The committee observes that the National Development Plan (NDP) IV provides for several interventions for promoting games and sports but does not provide interventions relating to physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. In addition, the committee observes that the NDP IV high-impact projects focuses only on the establishment of four regional sports stadia and 14 district sports grounds in the traditional sub-regions of Uganda. These do include international and national stadia. Further, the committee observes that the desired high-level programme results by the year 2029- 2030 provide insufficient information in regard to niche sports rankings. This hinders the effective monitoring of the high-level program results. Therefore, the committee recommends two interventions. a. That the NDP IV is amended to incorporate interventions for physical exercises for health reasons, amateur sports for mass participation and professional sports for commercial benefit. b. NDP IV high-impact projects should be amended to include three international stadia, Namboole, Hoima, and Akii- Bua, 10 KCCA artificial surface grounds (Rubaga, Kawempe, Makindye, Nakawa and Central Divisions) and 15 national stadia (Arua, Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, Tororo, Iganga, Jinja, Lugazi, Luwero, Masaka, Mbarara, Ntungamo, Kabale, Kasese and Fort Portal. Railway master plan The committee observed that the NDP IV mentions that in order to lower the cost of doing business, the focus will be on improving the transport infrastructure. However, the NDP IV is silent on the need to develop a railway

Honourable members, I welcome you to this afternoon’s sitting. The nation is currently experiencing a lot of rainfall, which is causing a lot of disasters and flooding in various parts of the country. Yesterday we highlighted the situation that was unfolding at Pakwach Bridge. I am reliably informed that the taxi that was trapped amidst the flood was successfully retrieved, and the passengers are safe. (Applause) However, on a sad note, in the process of the rescue, we lost one of the engineers of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). That was really a very tragic incident. We must take note that the floods are all over the country. When you go to the east, the floods are there. I am informed that Nabuyonga Bridge, at the entrance into Mbale, is off; you cannot enter. You cannot cross the road between Mbale and Soroti. Tirinyi Road has the same problem. Bulambuli – and, last night Hon. Ssasaga sent me pictures of people who had died in the floods. That is what is happening in the country, specifically the landslides.

15297 Wednesday, 27 November 2024 when it is written or told, that is when you know how you were raised and went through. This book is called, “The Boy Who Runs”. I am no longer a boy, but the time I was running, I was a boy it captured more of the time before I was born, just like Jesus, until the end. I want to highlight a little bit when my mom was in labour, we never had a hospital and the nearest was seven kilometers away. She walked when she was in labour and the next morning I was born, which means I was practicing to be an Olympian - (Laughter) - We had measles, one of the deadly diseases and I got sick at the age of eight and was pronounced dead. When they dug the grave and I was about to be buried, I sneezed twice and fortunately, the mourners who were around heard me sneeze and then I was removed from the grave. Again, at 10 years old, when we had rebel activities in Uganda in 1988. I was one of the boys who was captured at the age of 10, we walked 100 kilometers for three days to Soroti. I stayed three months in the bush and I escaped when the Government plane called “Surambaya” - some of you might have heard about it- 16 of us, unfortunately nine of my friends did not come back home. But I escaped and went back to school. I was told that when you run, you either get a scholarship or become an Olympian. I got motivation because I wanted to get a IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament FOURTH SESSION - 2ND SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 1.59 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

There is also a minority report, which was signed by two members. Madam Speaker, I would like to present the report. Introduction On Tuesday, 6 August 2024, the fourth session of the Seventh Sitting of the First Meeting of Parliament, the National Teachers’ Bill was read for the first time by the Minister of Education and Sports for Higher Education, Dr Chrysostom Muyingo. The Certificate of Financial Implication was laid on the Table as required by Rule 118 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and the Speaker referred the Bill to the Committee on Education and Sports. In the background, the Education (Pre-Primary, Primary, Post-Primary) Act, CAP 247, is the law that provides for the development and regulation of pre-primary, primary, and post- primary education and training. Part five of the act provides for the registration and licensing of teachers. The Ministry of Education and Sports informed the committee that the Act does not, however, provide for the overall regulation of teachers by mandating responsible bodies to regulate the teaching profession. Therefore, the National Teachers’ Bill seeks to regulate the teaching profession and promote, maintain and protect the ethical standards of the teaching profession. As the Minister has alluded to, the objectives of the Bill are; a) To promote, maintain and protect the ethical standards of the teaching profession. b) To regulate the teaching profession. c) To provide for an institutional framework for the implementation of the policies, decisions and directives issued by the minister regarding teachers. d) To promote the continuous professional development of teachers. e) To provide for the career development of teachers within the teaching profession. f) To establish the National Teachers’ Council. g) To provide for the powers and functions of the minister in relation to teachers and the teaching profession. 3.0 The Methodology 3.1 We used desk research, and the committee reviewed various legislations, these included: a) The Constitution of the Republic of Uganda in 1995, b) The Education Act 2008, CAP 247, c) The Education Service Act, CAP 85, d) The Insolvency Act, CAP 108, e) The Local Government Act, CAP 243, f) The Oath Act, CAP 19, g) The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Act, CAP 66, h) The Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, CAP 262. The Committee reviewed the National Teachers’ Policy of 2019 and the legal framework on teacher professionalisation in other jurisdictions, including Tanzania and South Africa. In the meetings, the committee published notices for public hearings invited 22 stakeholders, held meetings and received memoranda from the Ministry of Education and Sports, National Curriculum Development Centre, Uganda National Examination Board (UNEB), Muni University, Mountain of the Moon University, Kabale University, Busitema University, Lira University, Soroti University, Makerere University, National Council for Higher Education, Education Service Commission, Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), UPTU.

15289 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2024 universities and other teacher training institutions, through increasing the number of school practice from two to three can adequately ensure that the teacher trainees get adequate hands-on practical skills under the supervision of competent staff that enable them to qualify as competent professional teachers. They need to review their teacher education programmes and have school practice in each of the three years of the education degree trajectory. Kyambogo University further questioned if the ministry will have the financial ability for the management of the supervision of the teacher trainee internship programme. This is because most primary and secondary schools lack the basic facilities and equipment needed for effective teaching and learning to take place. There is a need to look into the facilitation and motivation implications of regular teachers and head teachers and the ministry officers to carry out supervisory roles and responsibilities in a sustainable manner. Busitema University proposed that internship placements should be left entirely to the training institutions. They also raised questions regarding the ministry’s preparedness to handle internship placements, citing its current challenges with the placement of intern doctors. KOFTU wondered what motivated the change from school practice to internship. They stated that industrial, commercial, scientific and social works establishments prefer this term. They were not certain that the head teacher can manage being the supervisor supposing the head teacher is incompetent or has lower moral turpitude. They proposed involving third parties such as the district education officers and universities. That was their view. Soroti University indicated that the Bill does not include teachers’ welfare during the internship. That was their view. EAN made a proposal for recognition of prior learning experience and equating these other present qualifications they hold to equating and equalising or substantial reduction of the 12-month requirement for internship in the third schedule in the event that the same consideration is missed in the regulations. Therefore, according to EAN, it is inconceivable to have a person already teaching at higher institutions of learning with a master’s degree or a PhD to do a 12-month internship teaching. The committee’s benchmarking visit to Ghana revealed that the Ghanaian government has compulsory national service for all students who complete degree programmes from any profession. The Government caters for all costs of the students under National Service Commissions or programmes. (Applause) Committee observations The committee observes that it is not fair for a teacher to undertake internship as well as school practice. The Ministry of Education and Sports failed to show the committee how school practice has been ineffective for a teaching force. (Applause) The committee observes that the period of one year is too long after a teacher has completed a degree and is subjected to another year of training in addition to school practice. Teachers should only be required to do teaching practice and school practice, which is the same. The committee further observes that the Government is facing considerable challenges in handling intern doctors in the medical profession. Given the resource constraints that always affect the internship requirements in the medical profession, it is thus questionable if the government will effectively handle the compulsory internship for teachers. Committee recommendation The requirement of internship for teachers be deleted from the Bill but in the alternative, teachers should be required to do school practice in each year of the teacher training course.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank you. Last week you gave a directive here that all students with uncleared balances in schools must not be chased; it was a very good directive. Secondly, I have heard the minister in her report say that the directive is being implemented. However, I have a situation similar to that at Kyambogo University Soroti Study Centre. The university has held results of over 500 students because the lecturers have not been paid. I want to know from the minister what and why have the lecturers not been paid. Given such a directive - Madam Speaker, would it not be procedurally correct that you direct the minister for education to bring here a statement why the results of the students have been held up to now?

Madam Speaker, with your guidance, allow me to lay here on the Table a list of students whose results have been held by the management of Kyambogo University, Soroti Studies Centre. I lay on the Table.

I was actually surprised about Soroti – how they could take a patient from the referral hospital to be operated upon in a health centre III! The person died. –There is a problem.

Honourable minister, take note of that. Honourable members, referral hospitals are referring patients to Health Centre III. I have evidence to that effect, it happened in Soroti Referral Hospital and the patient passed on. Yes, Hon. Atima?

I am not scared. Madam Speaker, just a second before I move a Motion, Parliament in its wisdom, in April 2021, passed a resolution to honour Dr Epodoi and the medical personnel in Soroti Hospital for the historical operation that they conducted to separate the conjoined twins. These twins were referred to Mulago Referral Hospital, Mulago condemned them and they were referred back to Soroti Hospital. Soroti Hospital, with its humble doctors, conducted the successful operation. The Parliament at that time made a resolution that the hospital be equipped and renovated. As I speak, the theatre of Soroti Referral Hospital has been condemned. That is one. Number two, Soroti Hospital is operating without a medical ward, Number three, because of the problem with the production of the oxygen Plant, we do not have the power for the plant - we keep moving in and out of oxygen stock. Madam Speaker, I would like to remind the Ministry of Health and the Government to go to their archives, take this up, and equip Soroti Hospital as we passed as Parliament. Having said that we have debated this matter, and listened to the honourable minister, I, therefore, move a Motion - (Interjection) - information - Member for Soroti -

14811 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2024 Dr Agnes Apea, thank you for your question, however, all this comes back to our own communities because every health facility has got a management committee. We need to go back, as legislators and representatives of the people, and find out whether these management committees really go to these health facilities. This is because a management committee can even recommend to a Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) or District Health Officer (DHO) that there is an errant health worker who does not come here or who steals drugs and these people will be dismissed. Hon. James, I have heard your cries from Adjumani and I would like to tell you, Members - most of you raised the question of SMS - sometimes we change numbers and then they remain sending on the old number - because some people are saying they get them, others are saying they do not get them. So, I will take the information to NMS so that everybody receives the medicines. Hon. Linda from Fort Portal City, thank you for appreciating that at least you get the messages and also that you saw trucks delivering drugs. Now, your next step should be to check whether these drugs are being used in health facilities or in private people’s clinics. Dr Acuti said that drugs are delivered but patients do not get them. This comes to the same thing - the management of these hospitals. These are management officers who are picked from the community nearest to these health facilities. Therefore, if they were monitoring well - you know, a drug is not a pin or a needle; it is something a little bulky and so when you carry it out of the hospital sincerely, if you are not seen by a colleague then an askari will see you. If the askari has not seen you, the community alone should report such people, even if they are beneficiaries of these stolen drugs. Hon. Sauda, I would like to thank you for your good question on NMS not sending messages nowadays and also having no electricity in some of our health centres. In my next report, I will be giving a status report only on Northern Uganda, but we have also written to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development to make sure they take an extra mile to connect facilities that host people like schools and hospitals, to electricity. Madam Speaker, you have given your own experience where a person died while being referred from a bigger hospital to a smaller one. We do not allow that at all. You cannot have a general hospital and then refer someone to a health centre IV. A health centre III is even worse because it does not have a theatre. Therefore, I wonder which people did this and whether they were reprimanded. This is because as a ministry we have a rewards and sanctions committee which is supposed to handle such characters who misbehave in the health sector. Hon. Atima and Dr Hon. Ebwalu also talked about thefts – I have called you doctor – be a doctor for once. Anyway, yes, we really need to honour that doctor who separated conjoined twins in Soroti, but Mulago National Referral Hospital has also done several of these - by Dr Sekabira – he is a senior surgeon and I have met some of the conjoined twins that he has separated. Thank you, honourable members, for all these questions and we are open to meeting with you and discussing, even one-on-one, in my office so that we can see how to sort out the many difficult problems. Thank you.

14572 THE HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS FINANCING (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 That is what we shall begin with on Tuesday so that we have it sorted. Let us handle item number eight. I want us to have a short debate; the Minister of Public Service and the Minister of Local Government are here. Let me start with the Member from Soroti.

Honourable members for Soroti, Kwania, Mukono, Lira, Amolatar, Namayingo, Kasese, Youth and we conclude with – Hon. Chemonges has been here. No, we left that side and we have already finished.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Maybe to correct this, I am not for Soroti, but I am for Gweri in Soroti District.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to join my colleagues to thank the committee for the good job. Moroto Regional Referral Hospital actually serves a big catchment, including parts of South Sudan and Kenya. The report indicates that there are lots of drug stock-outs and non- delivery of medical supplies to that particular facility. Also, the report notes that there is a reduction in releases to the referral hospital, particularly in Moroto. Amidst these huge health service needs of the region, you can be able to tell why the development indices are very dire in the region. This is one reason the Ministry of Health needs to take a keen interest in what is happening in Moroto Regional Referral Hospital. Two or three months ago, all the Karamoja leaders had an opportunity, together with the Secretary General of the NRM, to move around the hospital. You would attest to some of the reports that this particular committee has actually indicated. You realise that there is some key equipment that has not been installed. We had a scanner that had stayed outside of the building in which it is supposed to be housed, for close to about five months. Just imagine. In such a region where there are road traffic accidents, there is no scanner, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), people have to move to Soroti and Mbale. There is a need to look at this critical facility for the region. At the point when the Moroto Regional Referral Hospital is not providing services, St Kizito Hospital Matany has been very instrumental. This is a not-for-profit facility funded by donations from the Comboni Missionaries. When they were celebrating their 50 years, there was an appeal that they needed to be recapitalised. They asked the Government if they could be able to deal with the Shs 600 million debt that had accrued to the hospital. Therefore, there is a need for the ministry, together with the Office of the President, to recapitalise - part of the promise they made on that day of the Golden Jubilee was that they were going to recapitalise the hospital. That facility, which is not-for-profit is struggling. We need to see how we can help them. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General reviewed the staff establishment of the following public universities to ascertain their completeness and relevance to the entity established and noted the following: Universities This is how it is presented: approved structure, filled position, the gap, and the percentage of the field position. 1. Soroti University has an approved structure of 1,312. The number of positions filled is 242, the gap is 1,700, and 18 per cent of filled positions. 2. Busitema University has the approved structure of 3,559, filled positions are 503, the gap is 3,056, and 14 per cent percentage filled. 3. Kabale University has approved structure of 2,076, filled positions are 506, the gap is 1,570, and 24 per cent filled. 4. Kyambogo University which was a bone of contention, the approved structure 2,598, filled positions are 913, the gap is 1,685, and 35 per cent filled. 5. Makerere University, Kampala has approved structure of 5,835. Filled positions are 3,141, the gap is 2,694, and 53 per cent. That is why our boss was once there in that department. It is the best university - ( Interjections ) - No, there is Law Development Centre (LDC). 6. Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) has an approved structure of 2,609, filled positions are 581, the gap is 2,042, and 22 per cent. 7. Gulu University has an approved structure of 1,568, filled positions are 571, the gap is 977, and 36 per cent. 8. Lira University has 991, field positions are 265, the gap is 726, and 26 per cent. 9. Law Development Centre (LDC) 202, field positions 135, the gap is 67 and the percentage is 68. Mr Speaker, from what I have just read, it is only Makerere University that is staffed at over 50 per cent of the approved staff structure. What this means is that for the other universities, there is very little they can do to achieve the output. For example, Busitema and Soroti Universities as well as Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), which have 14, 18 and 22 per cent staffing levels respectively are depriving learners of the much-needed services. We are aware - the rest is history. That is the information that fills the staffing levels of all public universities drawn from a special audit done by the Auditor-General on the directive of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am not speaking as the Vice-Chairperson, Budget Committee. Before coming to the Budget Committee, I was the Chairperson of the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology. You sent us to all the public universities in the country and we found three key things: One, some of these universities collect more NTR and they budget for it, but when they - you know, you made a statement yesterday – finance minister - when they request for this money, that money is not forthcoming. We found dire situations in Kabale, Mountains of the Moon, Soroti, Gulu, Muni, and Busitema Universities. The report was presented by the current Chairperson of the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology, Hon. Alex Niyonsaba. There is a problem of the return of NTR and some of these universities have stagnated because they do not get their NTR in order to expand their facilities. Some of them are teaching students in tents. Two, because of the ban on recruitment, universities like Mbarara lost very senior PhD staff who had just qualified and had come back from Europe. However, because they did not have a wage, they could not recruit and we lost them to the neighbouring countries. It was painful. Others went to the United States of America. I think there are more issues that we could discuss with respect to these universities. There is the question of the responsiveness of the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development in returning NTR - even to expand the facilities that are there. Secondly, the question of ban on recruitment. We are losing the most senior cadre staff - and even the application of retirement to professors in universities is dangerous because you find some of the young professors who have just come from abroad, but just because they have reached 60 years, they are treated as civil servants. Most of them are forced to retire at a time when they should provide support to young academics in the universities. How do you retire a professor at 60 years, when he is still able to support this country? They are being treated as civil servants. Mr Speaker, I think we need a more comprehensive analysis of some of the issues facing the universities today.

14376 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Makerere University had a budget of Shs 377.35 billion. It got a warrant of Shs 368,910 billion. Unwarranted amount of money was Shs 8 billion. The warranted money was 98 per cent. The unwarranted one was two per cent. Gulu University had a budget of Shs 78.482 billion. It got the warrant of Shs 69.291 billion. The unwarranted amount was Shs 9.19 billion. The warrant performance was at 88 per cent. UMI had a budget of Shs 36.93 billion. The warranted amount was 36.718 billion and the unwarranted one was only Shs 182 million. In terms of percentage, it is 100 per cent. Kabale University had a budget of Shs 63.2 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 54 billion. Unwarranted amount was Shs 8.55 billion. The warrant percentage was 86 and the unwarranted was 13.5 per cent. Lira University had a budget of Shs 30.815 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 30.776 billion while the unwarranted was Shs 39 million. The warrant, in terms of percentage, is nearly 100 per cent. Muni University had a budget of Shs 25.940 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 24.733 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.207 billion – a warrant percentage of 95 per cent. Mbarara University of Science and Technology had a budget of Shs 59.4 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 57.547 billion and the unwarranted amount was Shs 1.85 billion. The warrant percentage was 73 per cent. Soroti University had a budget of Shs 24.758 billion. The warranted money was Shs 22 billion, while the unwarranted was 2.73 billion. The warrant was at 92 per cent. Busitema University had a budget of Shs 61.5 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 52.44 billion, while the unwarranted was Shs 9.1 billion. The warrant percentage was 85 per cent. Mountains of the Moon University had a budget of Shs 45.9 billion. It was warranted at Shs 44 billion. The unwarranted was Shs 1.8 billion. The warrant percentage was 96 per cent. LDC had a budget of Shs 29.663 billion. The warranted amount was Shs 29.651 billion and the unwarranted was just Shs 12 million. This was a 100 per cent warrant. Mr Speaker, the total amount of money budgeted for universities was Shs 1,058,000,000,000. What was warranted Shs 1,010,902,000,000. The unwarranted was Shs 47 billion. The percentage of the warranted amount was 96 per cent, while the unwarranted was 4.4 per cent. The accounting officers attributed the shortfall to non-release of funds by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. Committee’s observations The committee observed that the shortfalls in revenue imply that these public universities could not fully finance their programmes, which, in turn, affected service delivery. The committee further observed that a total of Shs 47.116 billion remained unwarranted across the universities. For example, Busitema, Kabale, Soroti and Gulu Universities had the biggest percentage of annually leased budgets of 14.8 per cent, 13.5 per cent, 8.4 per cent and 11.7 per cent respectively, as illustrated in the table above. The committee, however, commends the Government for the 100 per cent release to Kyambogo University and Lira University including Uganda Management Institute and the Law Development Centre. Recommendations The committee recommends as follows: The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide adequate funding to public universities as appropriated by Parliament to enable the implementation of planned activities.

Mr Speaker - The Unsupported Output Budgets The Auditor-General reported that all five outputs assessed for Lira University were not supported by individual activity costing. Muni University had all eight outputs not supported by individual activity costing while Soroti University had two outputs not supported by individual activity costing and budgets. Accounting officers explained that the universities prepare all the budget outputs in the programme budget system. However, by the structure of the system, all the details could not be captured. The committee, however, noted that, despite the above justification, the accounting officer could not provide source documents for the costed outputs. Because of the new system, universities were saying the reason they do not cost outputs is because the system cannot take all the characters. But during the auditing process, there are source documents which you can avail to the auditors. Observation The committee observed that Regulation 11(3) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2016, requires that a Vote prepares work plans that

14379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2024 indicate the outputs of a Vote for the financial year while Regulation 11(2) (d) of the Public Finance Management Regulation, 2016 states that the work plans for a Vote shall indicate the funding allocated to each activity. The committee observed that most of the entities failed and neglected to comply with these statutory provisions, which impacted the alignment of the activities to policy statements, thereby distorting the planning and implementation of Government programmes. The committee further observed that to assess the performance of outputs, all supporting activities must be costed and quantified. Thus, failure to provide detailed costing for activities implies that the costing at the output level cannot be justified, and as such, there is a risk that entities either over or under-budgeted for those outputs. Committee recommendations 1. The Minister of Finance should address the compatibility challenges of the programme budgeting system for purposes of capturing and imputing costed outputs and activities for entities; 2. Parliament should not approve budgets for entities without costed outputs and activities. The accounting officers of Soroti, Muni and Lira Universities should be held liable for not costing their respective budgets output and activities as required by Regulation 11(3) and Regulation 12 (2) (d) of the Public Finance Management Act; and 3. The Minister of Finance should continuously build the capacity of the users of the PBS dedicated to the quantification function. Implementation of Outputs Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General assessed the implementation of outputs that had been fully quantified and noted those activities had been partially implemented and those that had been completely unimplemented, as illustrated in the figure indicated in the table below. Mr Speaker, I will not go through this table, I will only highlight two universities and let the Members read the full text of this because it is the heart of the audit. Kabale University The Auditor-General sampled three outputs that had been fully quantified with a total of 17 activities worth Shs 2.511 billion, fully implemented. Only one output with five activities and expenditure worth Shs 1.375 billion was fully implemented. Two outputs with 12 activities worth Shs 1.36 billion were partially implemented. The entity fully implemented three activities. Two activities were partially implemented, while seven activities remained unimplemented. Mr Speaker, this means that this entity got money, fully warranted and paid to it, and they spent it, and some activities remained unimplemented. That means that money was either diverted or there was a sub - Later on, I am going to establish the figure from the account for each university that diverted and mischarged anywhere. That is an example. Mr Speaker, the Auditor-General, in my other report, which I have filed, needs to style up. I have provided the way this should be structured. For him to come to Parliament and tell us only Shs 2.5 billion was sampled out of the Kabale University budget of Shs 77 billion and then he goes on to say only Shs 1.3 billion was fully implemented then for the Shs 1.3 billion, he simply gives a narration of what activities were implemented, no amount of money placed - That turns a PAC committee into another audit bureau, which is out of our scope and makes our work extremely difficult. Mr Speaker, we will beg you, at the right time, to cause an interaction with the Office of the Auditor-General because if this continues, I would have recommended to Parliament to reject the Auditor-General’s report almost entirely. I was only persuaded by Members because, in our humble view, there is always room for improvement.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the two committees for bringing these important reports to the Floor of Parliament. Mr Speaker, I would like to interest this House that it is not our failure as leaders that Lira University and probably other universities are not taking in many students. I have realised that some of our universities in Northern Uganda do not have some courses. For example, the Universities of Muni, Lira, Gulu and Soroti do not have engineering courses. Mr Speaker, I have written a motion to that effect and I have submitted it to the Clerk to Parliament and I wish to be granted leave to present it here on the Floor of Parliament in form of a motion so that we urge the Government to interest themselves and introduce some of these courses to the public universities in Northern Uganda. This is a fact that we have to take. On the issue of money, first of all, according to the report that has been presented by Hon. Kivumbi, money is a very slippery thing. I have seen many universities diverting money. We want further investigations done on this money. Probably, there is what is called virement. What did they do with the money, anyway? Was it spent or was it in some people’s pockets? This is a very serious matter. Our universities must develop. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We passed money here for the recruiting of teachers in the grant-aided seed schools, but to date, despite the Education Service Commission conducting interviews, the teachers have not been deployed. May we know why that is so? Two, on the issue of universities, my belief is that when they talk about these regional universities, it is just by location. Any Ugandan should be able to go to any of them regardless of the location. That is how we shall be able to build nationalism in this country. However, people think that when a university is in Soroti, it is only meant for Iteso. No! It is only based in Soroti, but any person should be able to go and study from there. I think that mentality should change. The location of a university does not mean you must have a quota. You should be able to go anywhere in this world. Some of us who can crisscross and study across this country feel so comfortable and free because from Teso to Kabarole to Mbarara to Kampala, you feel all round; this mentality of taking universities as a local government should stop. Mr Speaker, on the issue of the Student Loan Scheme, I want you to give me time next week. I have a list here of students who have benefited from the loan scheme. How can Moroto District have only one student being given? Then you find a district like Tororo has been given 47. How? Karenga, one. Is that a quota? When you look at Butambala, six. Look at Serere, it has eight. But you find some districts have 75. Ntungamo has 65. How can this be a loan scheme that is based on a quota system? Mr Speaker, next week, give me time. I will read the list to the House, district by district, and you see whether this is really a quota system. This is unfair and these were the matters that were raised. You find a district like Busia has

Mr Speaker, first of all, I thank you for giving us an extensive debate on education and basically PAC. I also thank the chairperson of the committee and the Members. Let this be on record, Mr Speaker, there is no valid reason the First Lady will give for not coming to Parliament as a minister and attending committees of Parliament. Members of Parliament or chairpersons of committees cannot be summoned by a minister. It is null and void ab initio . At one time, we were invited to attend a meeting with the First Lady at Kololo as Members of Parliament of the Committee on Education and Sports, and we rejected this. As the Committee on Education and Sports, we agreed that we shall continue doing our work. The onus is on the Minister of Education and Sports failing to appear before the committee. Records will remain there. Mr Speaker, the issue we should address seriously, and is factual, is that these universities came politically. How do we make them survive? We shall continue lamenting and crying but the products will come out and affect each and every one of us. We know what is in Makerere and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). There are challenges. Some of these universities, like Soroti University, are diverting from the intention and course units that we had prepared for them, because they have to get students to study there. We have to go back and address these factors. Mr Speaker, and honourable minister, the issue of recommendations of the committees are very pertinent. Let us look at why we have accounting officers who have godfathers - committees of Parliament make recommendations that these people should be sacked or are incriminated but they continue serving. We should not protect those people. They should leave office and be arrested through our recommendations, the way the Kazindas were taken there and others. Virements and mischarge should not be even appearing any further. Honourable minister, you know how we handled that. We used to work together when I was in PAC. Now, I am back there. These are areas that have directive procedures that must be followed to be carried out by an accounting officer - if you want to make a mischarge, you seek authority from the Accountant-General and then you proceed. On page 25 of Hon. Muwanga’s report, the issue of land - I do not know how you are going to direct - it will be within your discretion, Mr Speaker, whether you want to put a select committee. All these recommendations on land; getting land titles or demarcating and saving land for these institutions should be given first-hand attention. It can be either in the Committee on Education and Sports where I belong, give us time to go and carry out a status report on the land issue of institutions. When it comes to municipalities and cities like Kampala, a lot of land is being taken over and the head teachers have nothing to say because they fear losing their jobs. I thank the honourable minister. You look at the report by the committee of education. For the three months we gave you, you utilise them further to give us a formidable report based on this so that we solve the issue of having dilapidated institutions. The chairperson of the Budget Committee is there. I went to that committee, as the Shadow Minister of Education – ( Member timed out.)

14414 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT hospitals is the charge being placed on basic medical services that could ideally be so critical in diagnosing diseases; the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), other equipment and the scanners. They now charge everything to be accessed. This increase in NTR is basically because basic accessible medical equipment in all hospitals, today, is charged and that is a key point. It is not a positive on that note. People should not cheer up that NTR is in hospitals where you are charged when you want an x-ray, MRI and whatever equipment; those who cannot afford it, know what happens. NTR transfers to the Treasury The Auditor-General noted that two entities, including Uganda Blood Transmission Services and Moroto Regional Referral, did not transfer their NTR to the Treasury. On the other hand, only six entities, including Mbale, Jinja, Gulu, Hoima, Kawempe, Soroti regional hospitals and the Uganda Cancer Institute transferred all their collected NTR to the Treasury. The committee observed that underperformance in NTR negatively affects the implementation of planned activities. The committee further noted that accounting officers who did not meet their budgeted NTR targets or budget for NTR at all contravened Instruction 4.10.2 of the Treasury Instructions, 207. Further, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development failed to provide proper revenue targets to some regional referral hospitals. In other instances, low NTR targets were set ignoring other revenue sources like hospital private wings. Committee recommendation 1. NTR targets should be set in consultation with both the accounting officers and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to enable realistic NTR budgeting; 2. The accounting officers should institute mechanisms to ensure that all billed NTR is fully collected during the period in which it relates; 3. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should always make prompt responses to requests for NTR revision by entities; and 4. The accounting officers should consider all their NTR sources at NTR budgeting to avoid cases of NTR under collection. Performance of Government Warrants The Auditor-General reported that the Government had allocated a total budget of Shs 558.107 billion to 19 regional referral hospitals and five specialised health institutions, out of which Shs 584.681 billion was warranted, which is 98.31 per cent, implying a shortfall of Shs 9.426 billion, which is only two per cent. The detailed breakdown of this figure per hospital is under Table 2 of the main report. The committee noted that 16 entities received less than their budget. These include Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital, Mulago National Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda Heart Institute, Kiruddu, Butabika, Masaka, Entebbe, Mbale, Naguru, Jinja, Mubende, Kabale, Mbarara, Gulu, Lira and Moroto Regional Referrals. The committee observed that revenue shortfalls inhibited the effective implementation of the entity’s planned activities and thus affecting service delivery. Revenue shortfalls further place spending pressures on entities, which promotes diversion and mischarge of funds. The committee recommends that the Government should always fully release funds as approved and in a timely manner to all referral hospitals. Utilisation of warrants Many accounting officers attributed their underutilisation of resources - where we put ACT - you go to the main report - to late releases of resources from the ministry for

14227 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 30 AUGUST 2024 In our recommendations, the key one is that due to the huge burden of sickle cell disease, Lira Regional Referral Hospital needs to be equipped with an electrophoresis sickle cell testing machine to avoid the transport – or having the samples sent to Kampala for testing. Karamoja subregion We noted that in terms of the burden of disease – there were also cases of mortality – there was a high malaria burden and, in addition, we also noticed that there were high cases of liver cirrhosis. This was mainly attributed to two factors: Hepatitis B infection; and alcoholism – as reported to us. On the specific findings on distribution of health facilities, Karamoja has a population of 1.4 million with three general hospitals that are Government’s, two private not-for-profit facilities and one private for-profit facility. Notably, we were informed that one of the private not-for-profit facilities, Matany Hospital in Napak district, was facing financial constraints due to an impending total withdrawal of funding from the Italian funders. We have recommended that the Government should consider taking over Matany Hospital as a Government facility, plus planning for other health centres IV and III. The status of infrastructure Mr Speaker, this is one of the areas where there were big challenges in Karamoja subregion. We noted several buildings within Moroto Regional Referral Hospital that were dilapidated, having been constructed in 1948. Also, they did not have a functional mortuary and, therefore, have to rely on Mbale and Soroti regional referral hospitals. They, also, did not have a functional ICU despite having the equipment, because they did not have the space. In addition, they had the highest rate of caesarean section. What is acceptable is that for every 100 mothers that come, a maximum of 15 should undergo a caesarean section for delivery. However, the figures were as high as 45 per cent, and this was attributed to non- functionality of some of the theatres in the health centres IV. We also noted that one of the big constraints in terms of infrastructure development is because they were not among the major beneficiaries of Uganda Government Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgIFT) programme because they had the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Plan, which delayed to commence and, as a result, many of the health centres II have not been upgraded to the level of health centres III. We also noted that Abim Hospital and Kotido General Hospital had not received the required funds for renovation. For example, Abim, since 1968, has never had any renovation. We also found out that the facility did not have any water supply available. So, we recommend the provision of the necessary funds. Notably, Abim Hospital did not have three-phase power, which was critical for running some of the equipment that they have within the lab and, also, in the imaging. Status of human resource On the status of human resource – these are the same observations that we made across the subregion. However, notable was that there were staff working in critical areas, majorly as volunteers without substantive appointment. As regards the status of diagnostic services, we noted that the digital X-ray in Abim Hospital has not been functional for the last seven years. This is a new digital X-ray machine, but because of lack of three-phase power, it has never been installed. The ICU is also not functional despite having 10 ICU beds that were delivered there two years ago. Therefore, there is need for intervention on the diagnostic services. As regards availability and utilisation of medicines and supplies, we noted that,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Good job to the chairperson and his team - the committee - for that report. I would like to draw my attention to the issue of the ICU. Mr Speaker, you have seen how far Northern Uganda is from the Central, where most of the functional Intensive Care Units are. If you look at Moroto, Lira, Gulu and Arua regional referral hospitals, these are very far places and we all know what an ICU does. What we have in place are not ICUs. The equipment is there, but we have high- dependency units. A few months ago, we lost a patient in Karamoja, and in my opinion, as a doctor, we should not have lost that lady. We had to transport her all the way from Moroto, Soroti, Mbale, and Jinja, regional hospitals, without functional ICUs until Mulago. She was still alive by God’s grace, but she eventually passed on. Therefore, these are the things we need to be addressing ourselves to. The other one is dialysis. The health committee two years ago set up dialysis in Mbarara, Mbale and Lira, and the plan was to eventually roll out, but I think because of funding this financial year, it was captured as an unfunded priority. As a matter of urgency, we need to have dialysis at regional level hospitals. Adjumani General Hospital, like the woman MP said, is operating in a very dilapidated structure, and it needs urgent attention, at least the maternity unit. Mr Speaker, as I conclude, I am happy that the Committee on Public Service will address the issues of recruitment, but some of these health centres IV, like Pajule, have medical officers who have not been formalised into service, and they want to leave. When you ask the district local government, there is local government politics involved. Honourable members, we need to also discern the fact that part of the health system, the biggest bulk, is in the local government. Therefore, recruitment is a function of the District Service Commission. The contractor of the seven-story building in Gulu is being taken to court because of Shs 3 billion that has not been paid out by the Government. As a matter of urgency, can we please find this money for both Arua Regional Hospital and Gulu Regional Referral Hospitals, for their staff complexes. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to present the addendum as per the Karamoja region; the discussions related to the infrastructure report of yesterday. Karamoja region identified key roads that need to be included in the report as follows: i) Moroto-Kotido Kaabong-Karenga Road; ii) Soroti–Amuria–Abim–Kotido Road; iii) Nakapiripirit–Amudat–Alakas Road that is joining to Kenya; iv) Lokitanyala-Loroo-Amudat-Karita Road; v) Napak–Kapelebyong Road, opening the region to Teso; vi) Rehabilitation of Moroto-Soroti Road; vii) Moroto-Nakiloro-Nakabaat Road, opening the region to Kenya; viii) Kotido-Loyoro–Kaabong Road; ix) Kaabong–Timu–Loitanit Road, again opening the region to Kenya; x) K a a b o n g – T i m u – L o k a l a p a t a – Nawountos; xi) Kalapata–Pire; xii) Karenga–Bira, opening the region to South Sudan; xiii) Abim-Napak via Turtuko is an internal road, but very important; and xiv) Kotido-Abim-Otuke-Alebtong-Lira. The region also considered the security and trade roads as very important, namely: i) Kotido–Agago; ii) Kotido–Karenga; iii) Kotido–Nakitongo, that is opening the eastern part of Kenya; iv) Morunyang-Majimoto, again the eastern part of Kenya; v) Nabilatuk-Katakwi which is the Magoro Road; vi) Kaabong–Karenga; vii) Kaabong–Kitgum via Lolelia; viii) Lopelpel-Lokwakipi-Narengnya, that is a ring road around the mountain; ix) Namalu–Nabilatuk–Lokapel; x) Lotome–Korisae Nabwal-Magoro, that is the Teso side; xi) Amudat–Komerimeri; xii) Lokwanamoru–Amuria; xiii) Alerek-Okemer Road; xiv) Alerek–Kacheri–Karenga; and xv) Iriir-Nabwal–Natirae; The key bridges that we propose to be included are: i) Lotome Bridge, that is between Napak and Nabilatuk; ii) Lolachat Bridge, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; iii) Lions Bridge, that is between Abim and Napak, which has been claiming many lives; iv) Nakonyen Bridge, between Moroto and Amudat; v) Okemer Bridge, between Abim and Kotido; vi) Nakirianget Bridge, between Mbale and Nakapiripirit; vii) Lodoket angisigiria, that is between Kaabong and Karenga; viii) Koberyo Bridge, that is between Kaabong and Karenga again; ix) Nataa bridges, that is between Nabilatuk and Moroto; x) Komatheniko Bridge, between Moroto and Kotido;

Your Excellency, as you guided in Cabinet, work on the Malaba-Soroti- Lira-Gulu Railway metre gauge is on. We have reached Kumi so far. There was a small technicality between us, the office, and the team working, which we have also resolved after consulting you and Mzee Matia Kasaija. So, they have resumed. The first phase will bring the metre gauge up to Gulu here. Then the second phase will be from Gulu to Pakwach.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise to support the motion to increase resources to northern Uganda. History has it that the Soroti Beef Factory at one point was proposed to be in Karamoja in the 1960s, and because of the number of livestock. At that time, the word poverty did not exist in Karamoja as it is today, but after a lot of conflicts, livestock diseases and counterfeit drugs for livestock in the market, the livestock population has come down. That, therefore, warrants additional resources to be given to the North. There is a Member who talked about the Aswa Ranch, and it tickled my mind a bit. It is important, as Ugandans, that this Parliament rises to the occasion to question the role of investors. I am not saying that investors have no role but if all money is going to be pumped into investors, how shall we fight poverty? It is assumed that investors already have their own money. If they come to Aswa Ranch to invest but the Government has to give them more money, as the population is watching them in poverty, then what exactly shall we be doing? So, I would like to appeal that the resources that will be added to the north to support livestock production should focus on the local people. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Thank you. Honourable member, just clarification: the meat factory in Soroti is private.

Madam Speaker, I beg to lay the minutes of the meetings of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation. From 1987 to 2005, the northern and eastern regions of the country were ravaged by several wars and insurgencies, which led to loss of lives, livestock and properties. In 2003, Cabinet placed a moratorium on ex- gratia payment for compensation claims by persons affected by wars and insurgencies. Consequently, claimants and beneficiaries from Acholi, Lango and Teso Sub-Regions filed numerous lawsuits against the Government in the high courts of Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Arua and Mbale. In 2008, His Excellency the President directed the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to amicably settle court cases and verify all claimants irrespective of whether they took Government to court or not. In 2016, the inter-ministerial committee conducted a verification exercise of war debit claimants/ beneficiaries in Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions. In 2020 the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. In 2021, the verification exercise was devolved to the district structures. On 29 July 2021, the Rt Hon. Prime Minister confirmed to the Parliament that Government was in the process of verifying livestock compensation claims for the areas of Acholi, Lango and Teso sub-regions including Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions that were affected by the insurgency. On 3 August 2021, the Attorney-General also assured Parliament that he would give a report, in a fortnight, on where the Government was going and in what direction it was taking so that Parliament could know what Government was thinking. On 18 August 2021, the Deputy Attorney- General reaffirmed before the Parliament that the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs was conducting verification of livestock compensation claims in the areas, which were affected by the insurgency. He also informed the Parliament that other sub-regions affected by the insurgencies were to be incorporated in the next phase. These included Karamoja, West Nile, Sebei, Bukedi and Busoga sub-regions. He also informed the Parliament that all livestock claims and compensations would be settled within the Financial Year 2021/2022. He informed the Parliament that livestock compensation rates would be harmonised across respective sub-regions. He informed the Parliament that a report with the final assessment was to be submitted to the Cabinet and Parliament for consideration. Madam Speaker, allow me to go to the committee findings, observations and recommendations. We looked at the registration and verification of the claimants/beneficiaries. In 2020, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs initiated a validation exercise in the three sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso and displayed the lists of the claimants at the district headquarters and subcounties. The verification exercise intended to confirm the genuine claimants/ beneficiaries. The following were the numbers of claimants/ beneficiaries recorded: Acholi Subregion – 16,946 verified claimants Lango Region – 42,024 Teso Subregion – 33,664 Giving a total of 92,634 claimants. The committee found out that the registration and verification exercise was marred by

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. Cosmas Elotu is my name, Member of Parliament representing the people of Dakabela County in Soroti. Thank you for this great initiative. While on the way to Gulu - and I think all Members may have realised the infringement on the road reserves. As you approach Gulu City - I do not know how we shall expand those roads because of the incoming pipeline. Thank you.

14038 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT heard an issue raised by Hon. Amos Okot from Agago County. He says, “When will the Acholi war debt claimants be compensated?” Our response, Madam Speaker, is that in the Financial Year 2020/2022, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs received Shs 50 billion - Please, let the records capture it as Shs 50 billion, not Shs 55 billion which was divided among the 29 districts of Acholi, Lango, and Teso subregions. Subsequently, the payment of war debt claimants in Acholi, Lango and Teso subregions was launched by His Excellency the President on 26 March 2022 in Soroti. In the Financial Year 2020/2022, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs paid out a total of Shs 11,919,586,927,000. To the claimants and beneficiaries of the Acholi Subregion, Shs 18,472,763,793 and Shs 18,931,380,848 to the claimants and beneficiaries in the Lango and Teso subregions, respectively. A total of Shs 676,268,432 bounced back due to various reasons and was swept back to the Consolidated Fund at the end of the Financial Year 2020/2022. We have here the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs as well as the Attorney-General; if there is need, they will explain why this money bounced back to the Consolidated Fund. Madam Speaker, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development released Shs 71.28 billion, which was to be divided among the 29 districts of Acholi, Lango and Teso subregions –

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 90 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and rules 159(c), (d), (e), (f) and 189 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, the Parliamentary Committee on Physical Infrastructure is mandated to exercise oversight and ensure effective utilisation of resources and implementation of policies related to physical infrastructure development. In fulfilment of this mandate, the committee embarked on a field visit to Northern Uganda from the 4 th to 10 th August 2024, to assess the status of roads, bridges, aerodromes and railways in the region. The visit aimed to evaluate the condition, usage and maintenance of transport infrastructure, with a focus on roads, bridges, aerodromes and the railway. The committee sought to gather fast-hand information on the progress of the ongoing projects, identify challenges and determine necessary interventions to improve the region’s infrastructure. This report presents the findings and recommendations of the committee aligning with its oversight role and contributing to informed decision making for the development of Northern Uganda transport infrastructure. The committee visited the following sites: a) Karuma Bridge; b) Pakwach Bridge; c) Masindi Port Bridge; d) Karuma-Olwiyo-Pakwach Road; e) Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga-Acholi Bur Road; f) Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Lira-Kamdini Road; g) Tororo-Gulu Railway Line; h) The Regional Mechanical Workshop and Logistics; and i) Moroto Road. Madam Speaker, this report presents a critical opportunity for lawmakers to address the transportation challenges in Northern Uganda. The committee’s field visit focused on evaluating the current state of integrated transport infrastructure and services, identifying key bottlenecks, and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their experiences and perspectives.

14046 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The committee noted with concern that the project had a design review which was undertaken by a new consultant. This resulted into significant changes in the scope and price of the project. UNRA informed the committee that initially, the road had been designed to go through the existing road with the approval of the then leaders. However, during implementation, there was new leadership in Kwania District and Town councils who decided to maintain the old roads due to many buildings in the town. Consequently, UNRA had to redesign the road to create a new section, which was less expensive to compensate compared to the buildings on the old road. In addition, the committee was informed that design of civil works depends on samples. However, during implementation, after opening the ground, there are variations in length and width which result in either savings or additional costs. The committee recommends as follows; i) UNRA should use a design consultant to supervise the contractors so that any design reviews do not result in additional expenditure by Government. ii) UNRA should make its design review process clearer and more transparent to ensure that any changes to the project scope and price is thoroughly justified and documented. Delays in granting full access to site The committee was informed by the contractors that one of the challenges they were facing during project implementation was the delay in granting full access to site or right of way. And that 19 kilometres had not been acquired on lot 1 and 20 kilometre on lot 2. UNRA reported that land acquisition on this project commenced in 2017 with preliminary processes including the stakeholder engagements at all levels. Survey and valuation data capture and the first valuation report was approved on 3 September 2018. The second and third reports were approved in August 2021 and then the fourth in September 2023 and the fifth report on (Lira-Ngetta section) in July 2024. All are currently under implementation with two supplementary reports arising from the regional reports. The project was divided into the following smaller sections: i. Apac-Lira handed over to the contractor 93 per cent-this one members can go through. Madam Speaker, Tororo-Mbale-Soroti- Lira- Kamdini Road. Government of Uganda received funding from World Bank for implementation of an output performance-based road contract along Tororo-Mbale-Soroti-Dokolo-Lira-Kamdini, that is about 340 kilometres. The project is being implemented in two lots. The project duration is 8.5 years and table 7 summarises the contract. The Delayed Project Implementation The committee observed, that the eight-and- a-half-year project is being implemented at a slow pace. Since it has 29 months remaining out of the 102 months for the project duration and yet rehabilitation works have not started on lot one and lot two is at 47 per cent physical progress on the rehabilitation works as at the end of July 2024. The committee was concerned that further delays could lead to project extension of time which could result into additional supervision costs even if there is no cost time extension for the contractor. UNRA informed the committee that delayed approvals to key installations and auxiliary sites by NEMA had hindered the progress as planned. [Mr Awany] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14050 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT In Gulu City, 162 lights had been replaced using local revenue from property tax. However, vandalism of the solar batteries was reported as a major challenge experienced by the USMID project during phase I. Gulu City alone had 15 criminals arrested and are being prosecuted The USMID project has no component for land acquisition and, so, the local government depends on the goodwill of the people. Where the people refuse, the carriageway is reduced since there is no provision for land compensation in the project. Further, the committee was informed that, often, road construction works involve relocation of utilities. However, during the process of implementation, the utility companies demand that local governments replace them with upgraded and more expensive installations. The committee recommends as follows; 1. Local governments should continue sensitising the population of the individual benefits of paved roads to increase on the goodwill of project-affected persons. 2. Utility companies that are upgrading their utilities should work hand in hand with the relevant stakeholders. 3. Concerned government ministries, departments and authorities should work together and come up with clear guidelines and engage with one another so as to address disagreements between local government entities and utility companies. Madam Speaker, allow me to take this opportunity to thank Gulu City for the good management of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Project. I thank Gulu City, because in other parts of the country where we went for oversight, there is a delay. For example, in Mbarara, Ntungamo and Kabale, there was a serious delay. We can say that Gulu City is a benchmarking point for successfully implementing the USMID Project. Madam Speaker, allow me to touch briefly on the regional mechanical workshop, then I will conclude. I will invite Members to go through the report because of time constraints. Gulu Regional Mechanical Workshop was established in 2001, as a regional workshop servicing 12 districts at the time, in the subregions of Acholi, Lango, Karamoja and West Nile. The beneficiary districts have since increased to 38. The workshop’s primary responsibility is major repairs on equipment since the districts have a percentage of road maintenance budget to cater for the minor repairs. The committee was informed that the workshop does not have sound supervision vehicles, making it difficult to supervise equipment. Like I noted earlier on, Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that at least each subregion should have its own mechanical maintenance workshop. Madam Speaker, the committee also interested itself in the rail lines. The rehabilitation of the Meter-Gauge Railway from Malaba- Soroti- Lira is ongoing. What is concerning is the pace at which the project is being undertaken. We visited the logistic hub in Gulu. We thank the Government for this beautiful facility, but this logistic hub can only function when it is well fed by a properly rehabilitated rail line. Madam Speaker, we visited Gulu Airport and we interfaced with officers from the Civil Aviation Authority. The committee recommended that this particular airport facility should be upgraded to an international airport. We also got information from Arua Airfield, which is being upgraded under a public-private partnership. Madam Speaker, the committee recommends that the Government expedite completion of Arua International Airport by fully compensating projects affected persons in addition to providing the necessary funds. Other aerodromes that the committee interested itself in are the Kitgum Airfield; the Kidepo Airfield which is being upgraded to an international standard; and also Pakuba. [Mr Awany] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

13914 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT project, adding 3,202.46km of medium voltage, and 6,827.82km of low voltage to the national grid as well as installation of 1,744 distribution transformers that were fully completed, commissioned and handed over to the various network operators like UMEME, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL), Kilembe Investments Ltd., and West Nile Rural Electrification Company (WENRECO), for operation and connection of customers; (ii) In addition, the project procured connection materials to connect 180,228 electricity customers in the entire country. Currently, pre-paid metres were supplied and connections are ongoing across the country. This was to support the Government’s Electricity Connections Policy (ECP) free connection policy. The contractor completed Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) studies across all regions, and the reports have been submitted to the Chief Government Valuer for review and approval. To date, the Chief Government Valuer has approved the Resettlement Action Plan reports – this is about compensation to project-affected persons – totalling Shs 38 billion for the compensation of project-affected persons. Furthermore, the project constructed a warehouse at Kakiri in Wakiso District and handed it over to the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. The ministry is now using this facility for the storage of connection materials and other power line equipment. Although construction works have been completed, as a contractual obligation, the contractor remains on the ground to rectify any defects that may occur until my ministry issues the Final Completion Certificate envisaged during the second quarter of the calendar year 2025. Challenges faced during the implementation of the project Mr Speaker, the project has faced a number of challenges that we continue to address as we implement the defects liability period. The challenges are highlighted below. The contract did not cover transformers needed for the construction of 11kV networks. However, some of the subcounty headquarters selected for electrification are situated in areas with existing 11kV networks. As a result, 11kV schemes, comprising 78.9km of medium voltage and 176.9km of low voltage lines, have been constructed but are pending the installation of 30 distribution transformers. These schemes are located in the districts of Manafwa, Kumi and Soroti. The necessary 11kV transformers are currently being procured by the ministry, with delivery anticipated by the end of next month – September. The responsibility of compensating Project- Affected Persons (PAPs) for the crops and trees damaged during construction works falls on the Government of Uganda. We are unable to compensate PAPs due to budget constraints, as I will be explaining further. Currently, the obligation for compensation on this project amounts to Shs 35.5 billion, but no funds have been provided in the Financial Year 2024/2025. The rampant vandalism of project materials, mainly wires from completed schemes, has severely compromised the functionality and reliability of constructed networks, leading to frequent power outages and increased repair costs. Theft and/or deliberate damage to essential components, such as power lines and transformers, disrupts service delivery and imposes a financial burden on the ministry. Addressing this issue requires enhanced security measures, community awareness and strict legal penalties to protect the infrastructure and ensure the continued benefits of these projects. Let me now embark on the Electricity Access Scale-up Project (EASP). Mr Speaker, the EASP builds upon the Government’s earlier interventions to directly support the expansion and strengthening of the electricity distribution network and scale up consumer connections by facilitating at least one million electricity connections, covering households, commercial

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Condolences to the affected families. After attending the National Youth Day celebrations in Soroti yesterday, I travelled to Iganga to join a family that lost one of their loved one in the Kiteezi incident. I have attentively listened to the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees on the support that was given. As I was in Soroti, I kept receiving calls from that family asking for support on how to see off the young man, Kayeyera Emmanuel, who died in Kiteezi and was buried yesterday. When I hear that our good President released Shs 5 million in support, it is perturbing. I want the minister to clarify who received this money because even now the family is still asking if there is any support; there was no message from the Government. We have Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) all over the country. If at all we are burying people who have died under such situations, can we dispatch teams or call RDCs in our respective districts asking them to relay the Government’s message such that you are seen to be touched and concerned about these lives? I specifically seek clarification on who received this Shs 5 million for Mr Kayeyera because they just asked for the particulars of that person before the body was taken; they were provided and that was the end of everything. Therefore, when they said that they gave the family Shs 5 million, the family is lamenting that no support was given. I need that record cleared on the Hansard . Thank you.

13800 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME MINISTERIAL STATEMENT The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, in collaboration with other line Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development parterres, and Civil Society Organisations, coordinate the activities to mark International Youth Day. As such, this statement details the key aspects of the national celebrations for the current year, 2024. The purpose of the statement i. To inform Parliament that Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Monday 12 August 2024; ii. To inform Parliament that the theme for this year’s celebrations is: “Skills Development for Enhancement of Opportunities for Youth”, aware that we must put a lot of emphasis on skilling the youth within the 21 st Century - hard, soft and digital skills among others; iii. To inform Parliament that Soroti District will host the celebrations at Soroti Core PTC, in Soroti District; iv. To inform Parliament that all local governments and cities have been informed and guided to observe the International Youth Day in accordance with the National Guidelines for the commemoration of national days; v. To inform Parliament that His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will preside over the celebrations; vi. To invite all Members of Parliament to participate in the national celebrations. Expected outcomes of the International Youth Day, 2024 The International Youth Day, 2024 has been preceded by International Youth Week, which started on Monday, 5, and will run until 11 August, 2024. During this busy and eventful week, various activities are taking place, including but not limited to the following: a) A symposium and dialogue guided by the theme “Skills Development for Enhancement of Opportunities for Youth”, games and sports, community engagement (including the cleaning of homesteads and workplaces. The other activities are: tree planting, blood donation, voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counselling, radio and television talk shows, exhibitions by young entrepreneurs (demonstrating value addition-related projects or enterprises), and the Annual National Youth Council meeting, which will take place on Sunday at Soroti University Main Hall. The celebration will also witness a cultural entertainment presentation of the Youth Leaders’ Memorandum and our ministry’s report on various government programs aimed at empowering young people to address unemployment and effectively contribute to the country’s socioeconomic transformation. Lessons learned from the previous celebrations In collaboration with the partners and the youth of Uganda, a transformative movement that connects youth empowerment, reproductive health, and environmental conservation beyond International Youth Day, enhances not only the lives of countless young individuals but also optimizes the power of collective action in steering toward a brighter and sustainable future. Celebrating International Youth Day allows the political and civil leaders to give accountability to both the youth and the whole country on what the Government has done and future plans for the youth. The young people are also able to state what they have done for themselves and commit to continue doing for their personal development as a contribution to sustainable national socioeconomic and political transformation. Key achievements since last year’s celebration on 12 August 1993 in Kabale

13803 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 8 AUGUST 2024 education and sports overall coordination by the UN agencies; vii. Finalised comprehensive consultations on life skills and health education for out- of-school adolescents and youth, and also initiated the development of a national strategy for skills development and for out-of-school vulnerable youth; viii. Developed and designed a National Action Plan on youth, peace and security; ix. Contributed to the review of the National Employment Policy and development of a National Employment Strategy, to incorporate strategies and intervention of youth employment; and x. Participated in the development of the National Development Plan (NDP) IV to ensure inclusive development that leveraged the demographic dividends from our country’s youth population. Conclusion In conclusion, I wish to conclude by reminding you that Uganda will join the rest of the world to commemorate International Youth Day on Monday, 12 August 2024 at Soroti Cora PTC, Soroti District, under the theme “Skills Development for Enhancement of Opportunities for the Youth.” Further to that, His Excellency the President –

Further to that, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Uganda is expected to preside over the celebration. I invite you all, colleagues, to attend the International Youth Day celebration in Soroti. I thank you for your kind attention. For God and my country. I remain Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, the minister of the “Majority”. (Laughter)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for being elaborate. I also thank the Government for organising celebrations to commemorate the International Youth Day on 12 August 2024 in Soroti. I would like to sincerely thank the President of the Republic of Uganda for initiating the skilling of the youth in all the subregions of this country. And in light of that, I implore the minister that it should not only be the skilling that is being done. This should be enhanced with a few things, for example, after the training for the six months when the youth are going home, those who have done tailoring should be given sewing machines. I am saying this because we have realised that most of these youth, after finishing, go home empty-handed. The minister might tell us that there are sewing machines at their ministry, but the procedure of getting them is not very easy and it is not enough for all those that have already acquired the skills at the industrial hub. So, honourable minister, please take note of that. Finally, Mr Speaker, we have seen youth livelihood programmes in this country, but in some districts, including Lamwo where I come from, the money that is allocated to the youth is always swindled by the technical staff at the district. Most of these technical officers who are the youth focal persons, do not even want to let the youth know how much the district has received for the youth livelihood programmes. I implore the Minister of State for Youth to start fast-tracking how much the youth are getting because severally some of these monies that go to the district are embezzled.

No, I will merge some. Hon. Betty Bakireke Nambooze raised the issue of the National Unity Platform for young people. I want to inform you that we shall start on Monday, 12 2024 in Soroti. I had a discussion with His Excellency the President yesterday, and reminded him of his kindness, he had allowed to stand surety for those young people – Most of those young people were given bail but they were denied bail due to the conditions that were put in place - (Interjection) - first hold on. So, the President has once again pledged that he is going to act on that and let it be on the record of Parliament that those young people will get freedom soon. Hon. Patrick Oshabe-

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

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

1 Kayunga Regional Referral RRH Ka5runga Hos ital t6 Lira Regional Referral Hospital RRH Lira City 17 Masaka Hospital Regional Referral RRH Masaka City 18 Mbale Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbale City 19 Mbarara Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mbarara ciw 20 Moroto Hospital Regional Referral RRH Moroto District 2t Mubende Hospital Regional Referral RRH Mubende District 22 Soroti Hospital Regional Referral RRH Soroti City 23 Entebbe Paediatric Specialized Hospital Surgery Specializ ed Hospital Wakiso District 24 Entebbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Wakiso District 25 Yumbe Hospital Regional Referral RRH Yumbe District 22

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I also rise to support the motion on the Floor. On behalf of UPDF Members of Parliament, I pass on heartfelt condolences to the family of Hon. Simon Peter. Now, to Simon Peter Aleper Junior, your guardian is no more. Now you are the father of that family. You need to be strong because you will live and take care of that family. I will be having an office in Moroto and Soroti. These people should not die hungry, come to my office, so long as I live – (Applause) - they will not die what - stomach. The stomach is number one - so long as I live, they will eat. Are you getting me? Come to my office. Somebody said, “Karamoja.” Karamoja will rise and take over this world. Let me tell you this, honourable members, Karamoja will rise, and do not just say, “We know where Karamoja started from and where Karamoja is.” I would like to assure you that Karamoja will rise, and people will wonder what happened. (Applause) Some people usually say that they will not wait for Karamoja to develop, but Karamoja will develop. The people of Karamoja will develop themselves. We have everything to develop. Everything is there. You only need to sort out your problems, including sorcery. Thirdly, when Samuel was old, the children of Israel told him that he was now old and they wanted somebody young. When Samuel was there, Israel was okay - Peace. Then they said, “Now you are old, you can get us somebody.” Samuel cried, but God told him, “Don’t cry, they have not rejected you, they have rejected me. You do what they want, but tell them this… ” (1Samuel 8:7) What happened? Israel from that day received a curse, and up to today, Israel is nowhere. Every time they are in war, fighting. Somebody should not bring us a curse. We respect our elders and wish them well. They have done their part and we give them respect. Please, keep our elders. You also have elders. Do not abuse our elders. Do not demonise them all the time. You make us very annoyed by the way. Do not demonise - you have your father and grandfather, and nobody demonises them. Please, leave us out. We do not abuse them. Leave our elders! To my brother, Hon. Simon Aleper, I do not know where you are now, and so, I can only pray to the Father in Heaven to forgive you of whatever you might have done wrong in this world. In this world, we are all sinners. There is no saint. Please, remember one thing only that he did. If you could remember only one thing that Hon. Simon Peter did and forgive him and give him rest. Rest forever. I submit. (Applause)

13610 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R The late Hon. Aleper was a very resourceful person and leader who was very vibrant and assertive. Whenever he took on an issue, he would never give up on it. He was very principled and results-oriented. That is why the little you hear has been done for the Karamoja was his work. The late championed the promises by the Government to tarmac some of the roads in Karamoja, for example, the road from Lira via Alebtong, Otuke, Abim to Kotido although it is not yet done, it was on his agenda. He also championed the issue of the road from Soroti to Amuria, Kapelebyong via Otuke, Abim, and Kotido. Although it is not accomplished, he talked for it. Mr Speaker, from 2010 to 2015, I was the NRM CEC Member for Karamoja. In 2015, when I sought to get a second term, that was when my brother came up and two others. At the intervention of our party Chairperson and for purposes of harmony - we are a marginalized region, and at times we do not want to struggle, we all had to step down and elected him unopposed. This is the person. We knew he was capable and he did not shame us. He could consult even when he was a CEC member whenever there were issues and posted on all the WhatsApp groups. Some of us were too shy to contribute on WhatsApp groups. However, considering that I was his elder sister, he would come to my inbox and ask - He did not even call me honourable, not even my name but he would say “ Maama, what is your view on this” and we would share with him. This is the gentleman we have lost today. As other colleagues have said, to the family, these things happen. We want you to be together and united as a family and see how to champion the legacy he has left. We have seen some families when such an occurrence happens, they go into disarray but we pray that you will be together and the rest of us will be there. We are aware that most of the children are in school and like other Members have said the Government and NRM Party need to do something for the children of the late Hon. “Rock’ Aleper. With those few remarks, colleagues we want to thank you for the love, and Mr Speaker, we want to thank you. I want to thank the President, for honouring our brother, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.

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

13454 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 of Excellence for Cardiovascular Care at the Uganda Heart Institute located in Naguru and fast-tracking the completion of the East African Centre of Excellence for Oncology in Kampala and associated regional centres in Gulu, Mbarara, Arua and Mbale . (Applause) Iyii, engalo ezo nga si z’amaanyi; they do not encourage me. (Laughter); ii) Under the Uganda Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers (UGIFT) Programme, 371 health centres II were planned for construction and upgrade to health centres III status. So far, 261 health centres II have been upgraded to health centres III and are fully operational. I hope the Minister of Health can certify this. An additional 110 are ongoing at different stages. Meanwhile, 11 hospitals were rehabilitated in Busolwe, Kapchorwa, Kambuga, Buwenge, Koboko, Amuria, Kotido, Kaberamaido, Kawolo and Kitgum Districts; iii) Three regional blood banks in Arua, Soroti and Hoima have been completed; iv) The Government distributed a total of 25 million long-lasting insecticide treated mosquito bed nets countrywide for the prevention of malaria; and v) The Government also provided 116 new ambulances to 100 constituencies, another 10 ambulances for the regional referral hospitals and six for the Command Centre at Naguru, among others. Madam Speaker, to further enhance the health of Ugandans, a total of Shs 2.946 trillion has been provided for the next Financial Year 2024/2025. The following interventions will be prioritised; i) Promotion and implementation of interventions for the disease prevention and health education initiatives against communicable, non-communicable and neglected tropical diseases and injuries. ii) Provision of essential medicines where an additional Shs 100 billion has been provided; iii) Improvement of the welfare of the health workers including medical interns and doctors designated as senior house officers. I have provided more wage allocations to facilitate the recruitment of staff for the upgraded health centres III; iv) Construction and rehabilitation of more health infrastructure and provision of medical equipment to improve quality of care and provision of specialised healthcare. These include, among others, the Uganda Cancer Institute and Regional Cancer Centres, the Uganda Heart Institute, Intensive Care Units and an imaging centre for referral hospitals; v) Digitisation of the national health system to facilitate service delivery and tracking of medical supplies and health workers’ performance; vi) Construction, rehabilitation and equipping of dilapidated hospitals across the country including the Kampala Metropolitan Area; vii) Strengthening of the network of medical reference laboratories including the establishment of the East African Community Regional Centre of Excellence for Virology at the Uganda Virus Research Institute and the National Public Health Institute in Uganda; and viii) Establishment of a pharmaceutical industrial park and strengthening the National Drug Authority Regulatory Framework. Education The Government considers education as a key opportunity equaliser for all Ugandans, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required for productive employment as well as enabling them to live longer, happier and affluent lives. For this reason, the following

13464 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii) Maintenance of 13 aerodromes, including Arua, Gulu, Pakuba, Masindi, Lira, Kidepo, Moroto, Soroti, Tororo, Jinja, Mbarara, Kasese and Kisoro. Madam Speaker, with regard to water transport, the following were accomplished during the financial we are talking about - we are winding up: i) Completed the construction of three strategic ferries, namely; Amuru-Rhino Camp Ferry and two ferries for Bukungu- Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) route on Lake Kyoga; ii) Completed the construction of the Maritime Training Institute in Namasagali, and commenced construction works for the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mwanza; iii) Completed 46 per cent construction works for search and rescue centres at Kaazi and 25 per cent at Kaiso, Panyimur and Zengebe landing sites; and iv) Continued with the development of new Kampala Port at Bukasa. With regard to railway transport, the following were accomplished during this financial: i) Acquired a 161-kilometre corridor for the standard gauge railway between Tororo and Mayuge; ii) Twenty eight per cent completion of rehabilitation of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway; and iii) Completed emergency refurbishment and rehabilitation of the Malaba-Kampala- Namanve Metre Gauge railway. Madam Speaker, during Financial Year 2024/2025, more focus will be put on maintenance of the roads we have built, building a few new strategic roads, accelerated rehabilitation of the metre gauge railway and commencement of construction of the Standard Gauge Railway. I have provided a total of Shs 4.989 trillion for that purpose. In particular, the following transport infrastructure will be undertaken: Roads and Bridges i. Tarmacking of an additional 306 kilometres of roads under the ongoing projects; ii. Completion of upgrading of 210 kilometres of the following roads: Muyembe- Nakapiripirit (92 kilometres) and 25 kilometres of service roads; Kira-Matugga Road and improvement of five junctions (21 kilometres); Tororo-Busia Road (26 kilometres) and Mayuge and Busia town roads (18 kilometres); Kawuku-Bwerenga Road (6.6 kilometres) and Namugonde- Bugiri Road (1.6 kilometres); selected town roads (7.5 kilometres), in Pallisa and Kumi (12.2 kilometres); and remedial works on Ntungamo-Kabale-Katuna Road (65 kilometres); iii. Commencing the upgrading/construction of 643 kilometres of the following road projects: Kisoro-Lake Bunyonyi Road Kisoro-Mgahinga National Park Headquarters Road; Koboko-Yumbe- Moyo Road; Yumbe-Ure Road; Kitgum- Kidepo; Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu Road; Katine-Ochero Road and 2.9 km of town roads in Kaberamaido and Kalaki towns; Kyenjojo-(Kihura)-Bwizi- Rwamwanja-Kahunge and Mpara- Bwizi; Iganga-Buloopa-Kamuli; and Jinja-Mbulamuti-Kamuli-Bukungu; and Jinja City roads; Kisubi-Nakawuka- Natete; Nakawuka-Kasanje-Mpigi; and Nakawuka-MawuguluNanziga-Maya- Kasanje-Buwaya roads; iv. Upgrading to bitumen standard (tarmac) 16.9 km of roads in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, and Gomba District; v. Completing the construction of 20.2 km of Kayunga-Nabuganyi Road; vi. Completing the construction of Kakiri- Masulita-Mawale Road (23 km);

13466 PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET SPEECH FY 2024/2025 iii. Improving the quality of power supply through the systematic operation and maintenance of existing power infrastructure; iv. Increasing access to clean energy by supporting clean cooking technologies; v. The development of five micro-grid power plants using wind and solar hybrids in Karamoja; and vi. Preparatory activities for the 8,400MW Nuclear Power Plant in Buyende District. Industrial development and manufacturing Madam Speaker, in our tenfold growth strategy, the Government is going to step up efforts to accelerate the diversification of the economy, add value to raw materials to boost exports and import substitution to continue reducing our import bill, and also build more basic industries to produce items that Ugandans use daily such as sugar, soap, cooking oil, clothes, medicines, construction materials, et cetera. Our industrialisation efforts are being undertaken mainly through the private sector, but with the State playing a de- risking role. The Government, through the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), is undertaking targeted investments to increase Uganda’s manufacturing capacity. During the financial year we are ending, the following investments have been undertaken by UDC to increase local manufacturing capacity: i. The Atiak Sugar Factory has acquired modern mechanised equipment for the sugarcane fields in Amuru and Lamwo districts and installed modern irrigation systems; ii. Four tea factories have been supported to expand and process tea for both domestic market and export. These are: Kayonza Growers Tea Factory; Kigezi Highland Tea Factory; Mabale Growers Tea Factory; and Mpanga Growers Tea Factory; iii. Continued support to Mutuma Commercial Agencies (Ltd) in Luuka District to produce intermediary and final products such as surgical cotton, cotton cake, soap stock, and cotton-seed oil; iv. Investment in Bukona Agro-processors Ltd in Nwoya District to process cassava and cereals into ethanol for cooking. It produces 40,000 litres of ethanol per day; v. Investment in Budadiri Arabica Coffee Mills (Ltd) in Sironko District to process coffee for export; vi. Additional investment in Soroti Fruits Factory (Ltd) that is processing six metric tons of fruit (mangoes and oranges) per hour into fruit concentrates and juice; and vii. UDC has also invested in East African Medical Vitals (Ltd), manufacturer of examination and surgical gloves, to increase the company’s production capacity to create jobs and also save the country foreign exchange through import substitution. Madam Speaker, the Government is also continuing to develop industrial parks to provide investors with the required infrastructure and utilities. Work is in progress in Namanve Park (with 190 companies operating); Liao Shen Park in Kapeeka (19 companies); Sino-Uganda Industrial Park in Mbale (18 companies); Luzira Park (11 companies); Bweyogerere Park (eight companies); and MMP in Buikwe (seven companies). Other operational industrial parks include Jinja, Soroti, Kasese, Mbarara, and Tian Tang-Mukono Industrial Park. So far, over $3.5 billion has been invested in these parks in the form of foreign direct investment. Over 266,812 direct and indirect jobs have so far been created. Security, good governance, and rule of law Madam Speaker, peace and security, as well as the rule of law, are the foundation for all other

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

Madam Speaker, there is an important thing that I want us to share, as Parliament: the issue of the former employees of EAC. The elders are crying; their tears have never dried. These elders are looking for their money. We went to Soroti –

ry.n'v &e o[l- ,tn \ "si ;NN .s t i t: i. t. I 8 (: t Amouat (OOO'f Vote Descrlptlon 63,620,755 160 Uganda Coffee Development Authority(ucDA) 4,831,755 161 Uganda Free Zones Authority Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW to,466,294 162 163 Uganda Retirements Benefits Regulatory Authority 15,381,657 t64 National Council for Higher Education t5,891,289 31,529,180 165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board National Council of Sports t78,684,L72 t66 t67 Science, TechnolF5/ and Innovation 3r7,742,939 301 Makerere UniversiW 340,375,803 302 Mbarara University 56,499,64t t2t,453,L76 303 Makerere University Business School ) so+ Kyambogo UniversiW 131,616,555 305 Busitema UniversiW 5t,495,729 31,269,650 306 Muni University 307 Kabale University 58,701,033 308 Soroti University 28,662,468 309 Gulu University 63,844,236 Lira University 34,420,tO4 310 311 Law Development Centre. 25,425,r45 35,504,266 3t2 Uganda Management Institute Mountains of the Moon UniversiW 38,842,2L9 313 i 401 Mulago National Referral Hospital 92,708,Ot9 402 ) Butabika Hospital 17,515,837 13,679,781,851 Sub total -Central Votes ( Errcl. Referrals and Missionsl Referral Hospitals Arua Hospital ro,592,846 403 404 Fort Portal Hospital tt,654,O7t Y. .--:\ - A It ,i'r f.Fft i. "l ',I\.

-+, ,L'{ r Anount (OOO') Description Vote L2,19t,793 405 Gulu Hospital tt,309,247 406 Hoima Hospital t8,467,606 Jinia Hospital 407 tt,o77,oto 408 Kabale Hospital 10,487,888 409 Masaka Hospital t7,694,t3t Mbale Hospital 410 9,79t,927 411 Soroti Hospital t5,682,495 4t2 Lira Hospital 16,559,583 4t3 Mbarara Regional Hospital 12,256,956 4L4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 10,943,300 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital LL,824,457 4t6 Naguru Referral Hospital 25,160,483 Kimddu Referral Hospital 4t7 22,589,r92 t 418 Kawempe Referral Hospital 13,062,585 419 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 27,646,183 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 12,368,354 Kayunga Referral Hospital 42r tr,429,3t7 422 Yumbe Referral Hospital 292,789,423 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Missions Abroad 20,806,699 Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 1t,840,947 502 5,955,050 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa 503 7,677,777 504 Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 5,341,493 505 Uganda High Commission in Kenya ,Nairobi 9,273,94t Uganda High Commission in Tanzania, Dar es Salaam s06 4,023,569 507 Uganda High Commission in Nigeria , Abuia i .i +.- . t,' :,' r Il-, ,I -4 M\L 9 I ,l \.. . .!: # i\r.i I I '11 .t --.ts----- \

-"* .l i'l tv" f. (-> 4l- * OAL t T ,,/i t:' ^"Hi-* .) \.. Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 9,877,949 531 Ankara Uganda Embassy in Tur 3,99t,682 532 Uganda Embassy in Somalia, Mo shu 8,682,632 533 Uganda Embassy in Malaysia, Kuala Lum ur 9,306,488 Uganda Consulate in Kenya, Mombasa 534 6,787,857 535 Uganda Embassy in Algeria, Algiers 6,t48,639 Uganda Embassy in Qatar, Doha 536 3,451,001 Uganda Mission in Havana, Cuba 537 3,475,000 538 Uganda Mission in Luanda, An 1a 264,336,145 Sub total -Mlssions Abroad ( Local Governments 40,679,88O 601 Arua city 2t,529,439 '\ 602 Fort-Portal city 28,O30,761 Gulu city \os 15,154,886 604 Hoima city 43,319,158 605 Jinja city 30,495,727 Lira city 606 30,239,526 607 Masaka city 39,177,649 608 Mbale city 36,031,699 Mbarara city 609 20,o6L,624 610 Soroti citv 8,879,420 70t Apac Municipal Council 6,476,93O 702 Bugiri Municipal Council 13,604,742 Bushenyi- Ishaka Municipal Council 703 8,671,010 704 Busia Municipal Council 15,990,314 705 al Council Entebbe Municip 16,424,644 Ibanda Municipal Council 706 7,638,634 707 Iganga Municipal Council 17,668,8r7 708 Kabale Municipal Council ,i, -\_:-- il^- 11 - --j!..ii,- "i+: 1j- \-i ' i''. --Ff" ( .\- . \

)frr f i lir ' e .30 Ii"' Y. \' Amount (OOO'I National Po Council Descriptlon 104,150 t49 5,530,148 150 National Environment Management E Au t,674,302 151 Uganda Blood Transfusion Service 152 National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) 639 064 1 295 400 Public Procurement & Disposal of Assets (PPDAI 153 Uganda National Bureau of 154 4 545 900 Standards NBS 270 oo0 155 tion Cotton Development 16,920,000 Ueanda Land Commission (ULC) 156 t57 National Forestry Authority(NFA) 53 203 692 10 680 ooo 158 Internal Security Organization (ISO) 32.OO2.960 External Security Organization (ESO) 159 3,32L,274 Uganda Coffee Development 160 Authori C 161 U Free Zones Authori 2,335,606 215,900 \ 162 Uganda Microfinance Regulatory AuthoriW 2,867,169 t--165 Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board 103,850,000 2,99A,LOO National Council of S Science, Technologr and Innovation 166 r67 rts 13,835,429 Makerere University 301 3,862,443 302 1,9L2,977 303 Mbarara Universi Makerere University Busrness School 3,320,992 304 Kyambogo University 5,383,896 -305 Busitema UniversiW 4,276,400 Muni University 306 2,327,gLt 307 Kaba-le U 10,128,600 308 Soroti UniversiW 7 043 350 309 Gulu Universi Lira Universi 4 553 t23 310 311 Law t Centre. 4 050 ooo ,xt'k- \(.. i --Y q

ait r [.' ,, .K .m- lir 2 I { ,&- .2 4l=# . '.t t. li ,',) .\ ,Lt Amount (OOO'I Descrlption Vote 2,006,435 313 Mountains of the Moon Universi 12,339,276 Mulago National Referral Hospital 401 2,262,036 402 Butabika Hospital 14,973,335,870 Sub total -Central Votes ( Drcl. Referrals and Mlsslonsf Referral Hospltals 108,000 Arua Hospital 403 109,81 1 404 Fort Portal Hospital 108,0o0 405 Gulu Hospital 108,000 Hoima Hospital 406 tt6,276 407 Jinja Hospital 108,000 Kabale Hospital 408 108,000 409 Masaka Hospital 5,109,39s 4LO Mbale Hospital 108,000 Soroti Hospital 4tl 108,000 4t2 Lira Hospital I 108,000 Mbarara Regional Hospital 4t3 L42,LO2 4t4 Mubende Regional Referral Hospital 108,000 415 Moroto Regional Referral Hospital 216,OOO \ 416 Naguru Referral Hospital l,377,OOO \+rz Kiruddu Referral Hospital 810,000 Kawempe Referral Hospital 418 810,000 4t9 Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital 2,O4t,200 420 Mulago Specialized Women and Neonatal Hospital 11,7o3,784 Sub total -Referral Hospltds Mlssions Abroad Uganda Mission at the United Nations, New York 501 2,90t,9r8 502 Uganda High Commission in the United Kingdom 9,700,000 503 Uganda High Commission in Canada , Ottawa Uganda High Commission in India, New Delhi 504 I , li , '.'; I i l, --l-l t ./' \1,. \: Ii \ ,,- H 4:-

'Bi -fu* {4+-. ll Y \**--= -X +.- #, w i i- t,'l'-- i 1' 23 #-- =--(.\, K Amount (OOO'I Descrlptlon Vote 10 790 oo0 Uganda EmbassY in United Ara b Emirates Abudhabi s28 490 o00 Uganda Embassy in Burun di, Bu umbura 529 t4 043 680 Uganda Consulate in China, Guan u 530 Uganda Embassy in TurkeY, Ankara 531 2 771 r64 Uganda EmbassY in Somalia, Mo shu 532 Uganda Embassy in MalaYsia, Kuala Lum 533 4 390 000 534 Uganda Consulate in KenYa, Mombasa Uganda EmbassY in Algeria, 535 390 000 da Embas 1n U tar Doha 536 537 U da Mission in Havana Cuba 1a U Mission in Luanda An 538 63 389 068 Sub total -Misslons Abroad l.ocal Governmclta 4 257 839 601 Arua ci 6 334 764 Fort-Portal ci 602 6 o22 534 Gulu ci 603 4 472 429 Hoima ci 604 7 884 358 Jin acl 60s 4 615 413 Lira ci 606 10 038 947 Masaka ci 607 6 140 296 608 Mbale ci t4 436 983 Mbarara ci 609 2 971 183 Soroti ci 610 5 371 776 A Munici al Council 701 673 734 702 Munici Council B 847 966 703 Bushenyi- Ishaka MuniciPal Council 2 360 688 Council Busia Munici 704 11 360 922 705 Council Entebbe Munici 1 o47 7tr Ibanda Munici al Council 706 \: . !.1 f;- l\ lr I r

I put the question that a total sum of Shs 319,149, O72 be provided for Arua Regional Referral Hospital under Vote 403 as a supplementary recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 411: Soroti Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that a total sum of Shs 262,232,939 be provided to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital under Vote 411, as the supplementary recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 417: Kiruddu Referral Hospital

Just one last thing, Madam Speaker. The minister said that they are going to put up offices in Kikuubo to educate the public on EFRIS- I want to remind you that even in Masaka City, Mbale City, Soroti and the entire nation, we need these offices, traders are not only in Kikuubo, the strike is countrywide; ensure that you put offices everywhere.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am requesting to bring an example of where I represent. I think the tax base is already good enough, but the collection of these taxes is where we have a challenge. I landed on three different people from where I come from. For the last three years, these people have been paying taxes every month. When I looked into the revenue portal and I tried to get the details, I realised that in the system, one of these people had only paid for four months in the last three years and the other had paid for three months in the last three years. They have the receipts of payment for all the three years. When I asked them where they have been paying, they told me, “We have been paying to so and so in the city council.” I think corruption as a disease is what we need to wipe first. Let many of these individuals be brought to book. Let, at least, one act as an example in the country to ensure that the money we collect gets into our system. Soroti alone is capable of collecting more than Shs 15 billion in a year. However, as we speak, we are only collecting Shs 1 billion as a city. We were collecting more when we were a municipal council than now when we are a city council. Thank you.

Honourable members, whoever is out, come in. We need you here. ME EBWALU: Madam Speaker, this country collects a lot of money. We would even survive without donor funding and loans. We collect a lot of money. However, what pains me in most cases, is that the poor people collect money, and then we give money to rich companies or people in terms of bailouts. Not long ago, we collected money from the poor people in Kikuubo, in Soroti, in Kagadi, and bailed out Roofings Limited with Shs 200 billion. The poor people collect money and we pay ROKO Construction Limited Shs 200 billion. (Applause) The poor people collect money from Nakasero and we pay Isimba Hydropower Station Shs 200 billion. Madam Speaker, not long ago, this Government paid Shs 26 billion to give Abubaker Technical Services and General Supplies Limited. Not long ago, this Government gave money to a private pharmacy in Ntungamo and the poor people are suffering in Kikuubo, yet the ministers cannot help them. I would like to ask this question –(Interjection)- No, let me ask this question before I allow information. What criteria does finance ministry or Government use to bail out particular companies or people in Uganda, yet the poor people are suffering? I request this Parliament to task finance minister to bring a list here of the people that we have paid money with our taxpayers’ money in terms of grants and loans. I am aware that Basajjabalaba has not paid money to the Government up to now. He took money and has not paid. I am aware that there are a number of companies –

Madam Speaker, Hon. Oguzu Lee has ably persuaded me. (Applause) Given the current scheme as it is, it benefits only the children of the rich, as opposed to those of the poor. Because they ask you to apply, you have to apply on the Internet. Also, the children who pass very well in primary schools go to the best schools in the country. Those are the ones who are considered to get this loan. Very few of the children from Arapa and Agora in Soroti benefit from this scheme. Therefore, Madam Speaker, if we are talking about equity, I would rather request that we give more funding to this scheme and then take it back to the quota system, so that all the children benefit from wherever they are in the villages. Finally, I would like to request the committee that you lay on the Table here in Parliament the children who have benefited from this, district by district. (Applause) Tell me how many have benefited in Soroti District. How many have benefited from Maracha District? Otherwise, the current system only benefits the children of the rich. I am here to support the minority report. Thank you very much. (Applause)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When we allow our forest to go into the hands of the ministry, given the current situation, it is like we are pushing the goat to go to where the hyena is. Madam Speaker, the people who are giving out our land in the forest are the local governments, not the NFA. When you look at what is happening in Soroti, Soroti has a forest. There is a place in a 10 block. The city went and gave out that place to a number of people. It was only saved by the NFA. That means if we did not have the NFA, by now that land would not be there. I therefore say that I am here to support the NFA to remain where it is and then we give more support to them. As I conclude, a few days ago, NFA was giving trees to us. I have planted 6,000 trees in my constituency. Government, where were you at the ministry to give us trees? You go back, we are for NFA. Thank you.

12603 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 Vote 151: Uganda Blood Transfusion Services The committee recommends that Shs 2.6 billion be provided to Uganda Blood Transfusion Services for purchase of eight centrifuge machines and Shs 600 million for assorted blood collection and IT equipment to equip the regional blood banks in Arua, Gulu, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, and Mbarara. Three regional blood banks are more than 90 per cent complete. That is Soroti, Arua and Hoima. They were built with funds from the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Emergency Preparedness Project (UCREPP), meaning there will be a need for money for wage and operationalisation. The committee recommends that Shs 12.276 billion required by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to recruit 164 staff be provided. This will raise the staffing levels to 41 per cent and solve the challenge of heavy reliance on voluntary services. Vote 418: Kawempe National Refinery Hospital Kawempe National Referral Hospital, the issues are self-explanatory, but the major challenge is: 1. Inadequate staffing levels This hospital delivers 60 to 100 mothers daily and 27 Caesarean sections with a staffing of 37.4 per cent. The committee recommends that Shs 6.1 billion be provided for the recruitment of additional staff to enable Kawempe National Refinery Hospital to reach the 68 per cent staffing level. 2. Overhaul and remodelling of the hospital plumbing system This is an issue the committee has noted in the hospitals of Kawempe, Kiruddu, Naguru and Entebbe. These hospitals are as old as 10 years but the plumbing has given way. We need to take an interest in value for money because plumbing giving way after 10 years is very unacceptable. Vote 417: Kiruddu National Referral Hospital 1) Inadequate wage for recruitment of health workers which is the same as Kawempe. 2) Inadequate funding for the burns and surgery unit. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to mitigate the shortfall because patients under plastic surgery and burns require a lot of specialised attention and treatment. 3) Purchase of land The committee reiterates its recommendation that Shs 5 billion be provided to Kiruddu National Referral Hospital for the purchase of 5 acres of land to enable expansion services, namely wards for burns and plastic surgery, ophthalmology, general dialysis and ward expansion. To underscore that point, Naguru, Kiruddu and Kawempe were health centre IV on a one-acre piece of land. The Government built upwards of seven stories. There is a need for land for the expansion of these hospitals. Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital 1) Staffing in Mulago National Referral Hospital can be underscored by the intensive care unit. The hospital was expanded and increased to 44 ICU beds, but 21 are working. In the adult ICU of the 27 beds, only 14 are working. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 529 million be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital for priority recruitment of 10 ICU critical staff. That is the annual cost. 7) Incomplete renovation of Lower Mulago Hospital The committee recommends that Shs 15.5 billion be provided to Mulago National Referral Hospital to complete civil, electrical, plumbing and IT works to ensure full functionalising of the hospital.

Madam Speaker, I would now like to move to regional referral hospitals – that is on page 51. Observations and recommendations Understaffing Table 17 is self-explanatory. Bullet (2) is on unspent wage of regional referral hospitals, as of Mid-Term Financial Year 2023/2024. On page 53, there is a table showing unspent wage. The committee had a challenge, that much as they have now been cleared to recruit, by the time workers are deployed, it will be June. So, of that Shs 17.23 billion in table 18, around 80 per cent is going to go to the Consolidated Fund. The committee was thinking: can this money be re-voted? I am not a custodian of the Public Finance Management Act, but I will let the House guide on whether the money that has not been spent on wage can be re-voted to other areas of the health sector that need a one-off expenditure. On page 53, there is the upgrade of Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital. The committee recommends that Shs 8.1 billion and non-wage recurrent of Shs 6 billion be provided to enable the complete transfer of Entebbe Hospital to a regional referral hospital. Madam Speaker, remember that Entebbe was a district hospital for Wakiso, but it is now a regional referral hospital. So, we need that money to enable it to operate fully. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to page 54 on dilapidated infrastructure in regional referral hospitals. The committee recommends that: 1. The Ministry of Health should assess all regional referral hospitals and quantify the amount required for rehabilitation; 2. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development reinstates Shs 20.3 billion withdrawn from regional referral hospitals for development. This money was cut last year and hospitals such as Soroti Regional Referral Hospital are in a very dilapidated state; 3. The assessment be done in regional referral hospitals about the status of mortuaries in Financial Year 2024/2025. For Financial Year 2024/2025, Moroto and Arua regional referral hospitals should be prioritised for the construction of modern mortuaries, due to the very dilapidated state of the existing ones. Therefore, Shs 1.5 billion should be provided for the two mortuaries; 4. Shs 11.8 billion be provided to the Ministry of Health to enable it carry out the much- needed expansion and rehabilitation of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, phase one. For those of you who have been there, it is in a very dilapidated state and remember, they separated conjoined twins. So, there is a lot of work being done there; and 5. The Government should look into the possibility of acquiring a grant or loan for the rehabilitation of dilapidated hospitals.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the chairperson and the committee for identifying these pertinent issues in their report. However, I want to speak about Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. The state of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is very alarming, as the committee has alluded to. There is an issue of Soroti Regional Referral Hospital having land for the construction of a new regional referral hospital. That hospital no longer suits the status of a regional referral hospital.

And that is the only hospital that I have, which is a unit, not even a Health Centre II . (Laughter) On the issue of Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, in the entire Karamoja, we do not have a refrigerator in the mortuary. For example, if a person dies, you have to take the body to Mbale, Busitema for preservation. All nine districts in Karamoja, even Soroti does not have. So you have to travel across to access the-

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I would like to thank the committee for the report. However, I challenge the Minister of Health that in Kapelebyong, literally every health facility needs to be refurbished. Some of them need to be condemned because they are collapsing, they have broken walls and leaking roofs. The one ambulance we have is busy every day, transporting mothers either to Soroti or Amuria. Four subcounties in Kapelebyong do not have a health facility. We need them included in your budget. I thank you.

12686 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Inspectorate of Government (IG) (i) Digitisation and digital transformation of the Inspectorate of Government. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 1.7 billion be provided to kick start the digital transformation of the institution. (ii) Insufficient wage allocation. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 0.27 billion be provided to restore the IG’s budget to the current operating level. (iii) Completion of the IG head office building project The committee recommends an additional Shs 27.718 billion be provided to the development budget of the IG to complete the construction of the head office by June 2025. (iv) Replacement of the old and damaged fleet of vehicles The committee recommends that an additional: (a) Shs 1.260 billion be provided to replace the six damaged vehicles during the bomb blast which occurred on 16 November 2021 (b) Shs 2.940 billion be provided to procure 14 double cabin vehicles. (v) Additional wage recruitment of critical staff The committee recommends an additional Shs 4,804,756,400 be provided to cater for recruitment of critical staff and additional operational costs. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (i) This talks about completion of the first phase of the JLOS House. The committee recommends that Shs 30 billion be provided during Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to cater for the completion of the first phase of the JLOS House as this will go a long way to save the Government from spending Shs 30 billion on rent annually. (ii) Recruitment of state attorneys The committee recommends that Shs 11.407 billion be provided during the Financial Year 2024/2025 to cater for the recruitment of state attorneys to increase the capacity of the ministry in handling numerous cases before them. (iii) Payment of outstanding court awards and court award arrears The committee recommends that the Government prioritises payments of court awards and court arrears to reduce the principal amounts that attract interest by providing Shs 232.875 billion to cater for settlement of the outstanding areas. (iv) Cattle compensation to war-debt claimants The Government had agreed to compensate the war date claimants in Teso, Acholi and Lango subregions for loss of livestock and other properties during the insurgency in the north. The committee recommends that the entire outstanding bill of Shs 463.211 billion be settled across three financial years of 2024/2025, 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. (v) Representation of Government in the East African Court of Justice and community meetings The committee recommends that the ministry’s travel abroad budget line be unfrozen and a provision of Shs 1 billion to facilitate Government’s representation in the East African Court of Justice and East African Community meetings be made. (vi) Operationalisation of 13 regional offices The ministry currently operates regional offices in Gulu, Moroto, Arua, Mbale, Fort Portal, Soroti, and Mbarara against the Judiciary’s 23 high court circuits.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports. Investment in sports infrastructure is one of the things that we need. You can see the amount of money Mr Hamis Kiggundu spent on that stadium in Nakivubo. It was amazing and we should thank and commend him. In the same spirit, at least we can galvanise something and invest it here in Lugogo. The more multiple pitches that we have, the more the chances for us to host international events, which in return, bring more revenue. We can start with that and then move regionally to have one in Soroti or Bukedea – (Laughter)- the Speaker has started a very good - and I would like to thank and commend you for taking individual initiative for sports. You will see the reward.

12722 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS Vote 111: National Curriculum Development Centre The committee recommends that the National Curriculum Development Centre is funded with an additional Shs 5 billion to train more teachers in the implementation of the new lower secondary curriculum. The NCDC should be supported with Shs 5 billion to fast-track and conclude with the revised A-Level curriculum so that the students currently in senior three experience a smooth transition and for the current senior four students, they design an abridged curriculum to help them transit into A-Level curriculum without much trouble. The Ministry of Finance should grant NCDC permission to spend a proportion of NRT at source to avoid delays in book evaluations. Madam Speaker, on this, there is a very big challenge and it is happening in universities. What happens is that when the money is collected, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development does not provide that money when it is appropriated by Parliament. It is a very big problem and we shall discuss it further maybe when you have the time or when we are considering the Budget. Public Universities Understaffing These are general issues, Madam Speaker. We have the recommendations on general staffing so allow me to go through them very quickly. The committee recommend that Government commits to addressing the persistent issue of understaffing and salary harmonisation of public universities so as to at least operate at an average of 50 per cent. There are universities, which are operating at 10 per cent of teaching staff, like Busitema while others are at 15 per cent. Soroti, I think is at around 17 per cent. It is a terrible situation. Some universities have one professor. Let me proceed with the report. Inadequate funding for Government-sponsored university students The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits enough funds commensurate with the number of Government sponsored students to avoid incidences where the university has to use its operational funds to give students allowances and apply for supplementary budgets each financial year. What is happening is that if a university started, say in 2020, the first quarter of students that the university funds at the time of that intake is the same money that continues coming those 100 students continuously up to four or five years of existence. The committee further recommended that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development re-categorises the items, living out allowance and NSSF payment as statutory payments under wage component and further allocates funds to the public universities to clear the arrears got as a result of non-paid NSSF. What happens is that money has been lumped into non-wage. When they just cut across the board, then NSSF money is cut. When it comes to remitting that money to NSSF, the universities do not have anything to pay. Inadequate research funds to universities The committee recommends that additional funding grant for each public university to support their research and innovation function given that research is a priority. Madam Speaker, let us now look at the independent votes. Vote 301: Makerere University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 12 billion for implementation of salary harmonisation as directed by the Minister of Public Service. Another Shs

12723 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 16 billion, for renovation of the College of Health Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Shs 3.4 billion for the restoration of funding for the Infectious Disease Institute and Shs 2.4 billion for restoration of Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre. Then Shs 12.3 billion for reinstatement of the budget for scholarships, education materials, research outstanding, in- house retirement benefits arrears and contracts gratuity, and Shs 14 billion for increase in Government-sponsored students’ food and living-out allowances. Vote 304: Kyambogo University The committee recommends that Minister of Finance, planning and Economic Development commits additional Shs 6.39 billion for wages, Shs 0.5 billion for research and innovation, Shs 9 billion for renovation of student`s halls of residence, Shs 2 billion for removal of asbestos sheets from buildings, renovation of 20 accommodation facilities. You cannot believe that this still exists in our universities, Madam Speaker and some schools in Kampala Capital City Authority. The committee also recommends that the finance ministry provides Shs 9 billion for construction of a boundary/perimeter wall. Madam Speaker, there are threats already of land grabbing at that university and people have started building houses. The university always fights with those squatters day and night. Vote 309: Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits a total additional Shs 5.6 billion for salary harmonisation, Shs 2 billion for the gazettement of the Gulu Central Reserve Forest and degazettement of Gulu University Land in Nwoya. Then, Shs 17 billion for construction of a business and development centre and teaching facility in a phased manner, Shs 3.36 billion for repurposing of Kotido Primary Teacher`s College (PTC) as a learning centre. Shs 2 billion for procurement of five new transport equipment, Shs 4.7 billion for construction of a multipurpose building and Shs 2 billion for preparation of architectural and engineering designs and production of bills of quantities for the proposed Jacob Oulanyah L’Okori Memorial Law Studies Block. Vote 306: Muni University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits additional Shs 2 billion for the construction of the University Administration Block, Shs 4.8 billion for salary shortfalls, Shs 5 billion for renovation and expansion of Madikola farm. Vote 308: Soroti University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits Shs 25 billion for completion of the anatomy block, which has stalled for quite a long time. Commit Shs 8.8 billion for shortfalls in living out allowances for Government sponsored students, outreach services and clinical placement for students in the school of health sciences and Shs 7.2 billion to address the wage shortfalls. Vote 321: Uganda Management Institute (UMI) The committee observed that the institute struggles with a number of challenges and it recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Social Development commits a total of Shs 10 billion for construction of a new multipurpose building at Kampala branch, Shs 4 billion be provided to construct a new classroom block at Mbale branch, Shs 1.32 to address salary shortfalls, and Shs 2 billion for research and innovations. Vote 310: Lira University The committee recommends that the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits an additional Shs 11.5 billion to address the recruitment of critical staff.

If a hospital is housing students from another medical school, does that hospital become a hospital of that place? I have a teaching hospital, but my students go for practicals in Soroti Hospital. So does Soroti Hospital become mine?

12493 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 APRIL 2024 ventures generated return on investments. However, the committee noted that despite recurring investments in businesses such as Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, Soroti Fruit Factory, Mutuma Tea Factory, Mpanga Tea Factory, Atiak Sugar Factory, among others, UDC has continued to post losses. The committee further notes that there was no guarantee that allocations to UDC would transform or generate return on investments. This is evident because at the request of the committee for UDC to share any success stories/profit-making ventures since their inception, none was provided. We, therefore, recommend, as a committee, that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate a Vote to UDC as a semi-autonomous Government entity. This will enhance accountability, transparency and effectiveness in management of public resources in all operations of UDC as an investment arm of the Government of Uganda. Page 66, Management, Training and Advisory Centre (MTAC) The following are key outputs and activities that MTAC intends to carry out during the Financial Year 2024/2025. Members can read- Observations of the committee The committee observed that in addition to spending money at source, which is contrary to Section 29 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015, MTAC made substantial transactions on the revenue account that were suspicious, irregular and illegal. Further, the committee was alive to the second Budget Call Circular of 2022 authored by the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST) to all accounting officers, reminding them of their obligations under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 2015 to desist from spending at source. MTAC decided to ignore such guidance. Section 45 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 requires that an accounting officer shall control the regularity and proper use of money appropriated to the Vote, be responsible for authorising any commitment made by a Vote, and control the resources received, held or disposed of by or on account of a Vote. Mr Speaker, I proceed to page 67; General Observations and Recommendations 1. Expenditure at source outside Parliamentary approval The committee observed that several entities under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities spend their Non-Tax Revenue at source in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. These entities include MTAC, UNBS and UHTTI. The committee noted with concern that easy accessibility to these funds has led to financial irregularities in these institutions. For instance, UNBS has collected Shs 64.7 billion in Non-Tax Revenue, out of which only Shs 52.53 billion was transferred to the Consolidated Fund, and the balance of Shs 12.14 billion was spent at source. 2. Procurement of private consultancy services for civil works The committee observed that the deliberate disregard of the mandate of the Ministry of Works and Transport by MDAs and prefer private consultants was a debilitating marvel and raised concerns as to reasons MDAs choose consultants as opposed to the Ministry of Works and Transport for civil works. It is costly, irregular, dubious, suspicious and encumbers service delivery. Mr Speaker, under the Uganda Public Service Standing Order, the procurement, utilisation and disposal of goods and services in the Public Sector Standing Orders is on the works ministry. It instructs the responsible officer to consult the ministry responsible for works

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me start with the issue of water per village. I thank the committee for all the outstanding areas they provided on the report. However, there are still very large villages that even require two or three water sources. I appreciate the recommendation of the committee that we provide funding. The other is that there are traditional water sources that came from the Ministry of National Water. For instance, in Soroti, the water that was provided for Soroti from Awoja supplies all the way up to Kaberamaido. It is the same source now supplying the city that has grown, Kalaki and Kaberamaido and several town councils. This was done many years ago. The ministry should be thinking of pulling water from Lake Kyoga where the population has grown; like in Kaberamaido now, when the pipes work, that is when we have water, but when they break down anywhere along that road, there will be no water in the town council. The other is the issue of compensation for land, so that, we can have energy running, especially for those projects that we are funding over loans and we have already received the money on a loan. If we do not prioritise compensating the land, it means that we delay the projects and then our interest goes high, but also the projects get delayed. I have a project right now in Kaberamaido that was done by the World Bank, 8 kilometres, but because of just one compensation-

(2) Popularizing of PDM Marketing strategr and branding and packaging strategies.in the country includes Karamoja and west Nile. (3) Acquiring and scaring up of the use of international recognised bar GIS bar code for promotion of Ugandan products in the market and support L2O MSMEs to formalise their business in south western, Rwenzori, West Nile, and Sebei sub region. (4) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 100 MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (5) Conduct awareness creation in Credit rating mechanisms in Mbale, Soroti, Lira and Gulu to 1oo MSMEs in manufacturing sector. (6) Facilitate, support, Sensitization 120 MSMEs, Youths, women, pLWHA and PWD to formalise their businesses. in West Nile, Rwemzori and Busoga Region. (71 Conduct 3 stakeholder (Academia, SMEs, Policy makers and tegislators) workshop on Circularity and Circular economy (Resource efficiency, cleaner production and industrial in symbiosis in central region. (8) Facilitating, the preparations, Mobilization, training, vetting of 250 MSMEs including women and youth, through and guiding them in packaging branding, and requirements to participate in the regional, international and domestic trade fairs and expos. (9) Training of 100 processors in Leather-and agro processors Mukono and Jinja, Greater Bushenyi, Mbarara, and formation of clusters in each district I tr- 1-. ft h 51 &

6.15 Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) The Committee observed that UDC operates as a subvention under Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Under the subvention, funds are released to MTIC which in turn transfers the funds to UDC for its operations and investment. The Committee noted. that UDC accounts for over 600/o of the budget appropriated to the MTIC. Under the current arrangement UDC is not able to monitor how much is released by Ministry of Finance, planning and Economic Development for its operations and monitor and control the fund.s. The Committee is cognizant of the fact that in some instances, UDC has to operate under the market situation and this may be affected by the lengthy financial release procedures and especially while operating as a subvention. The Committee further observed that as Government of Uganda's investment arm, UDC being was supposed to ensure that Government's shareholding portfolios in business ventures generated return on investments. However, the Committee noted that despite recurring investments in businesses such as Commonwealth Resort, Munyonyo, Soroti Frrrit Factory, Mutuma Tea Factory, Mpanga Tea Factory, Atiak Sugar Factory, among others, UDC has continued to post losses. The Committee further notes that there was no guarantee that allocations to UDC would transform or generate return of investments. This is evident, because at the request of the Committee for UDC to share any success stories/profrt-making ventures since their inception, none was provided. Recommendation of the Committee The Committee recommends that Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate a vote to UDC as a semi-autonomous government entity. This will enhance accountability, transparency and effectiveness in management of public resources in all operation of UDC as an lnvestment government. fu, ( :It.| 6{'v 9 /$ .W ,Lk^ 65 ,

for; the 345km Karuma Lira-Soroti-Mbale-Tororo 400kv Transmission line and Ntinda substation to Namanve underground cable infrastructure project, residual compensation works for Karuma and Isimba HPPs, Itanda and Kalagala Special conservation area, and other projects in mining, energ/ and oil and gas. Development of these projects requires the right of way or project sites to be cleared from any encumbrances for continuity of works as per the law. Failure to secure this funding will lead to delays in implementing the above projects/initiatives, loans penalties, cost overruns of construction as well as increase in the compensation costs as some of these lines pass through developed and or fast- growing towns and cities. Therefore, Government should provide additional resources for land acquisition so that projects are implemented in a timely manner. Recommendation o The Committee recommends that Government provides UGX 18O billion to MEMD for land compensation. (f) Underfunding of Rural Electrification Projects The Committee was informed that although rural electrification is intended to increase electricity access across the entire country, the ongoing rural electrification programs require UGX 498 billion but only UGX 133 billion has been provided in the MTEF leaving a funding gap of UGX 365 billion. These funds are required to meet already committed contracts and as such must be paid. These include; Grid extension of 29lots under GOU-UGX 258.5lBN Counterpart financing obligations for donor projects UREAP, TBEA, ERTTTI, GETFIT-UGX72. O6BN Obligations that survived donor funding -ERTIII, TBEA - UGX 158.95bn Various lasf mile s UGX 8.97BN l. ii. 111. iv. cK;-- ,u_ & J 18

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate the committee. Madam Chairperson, on page 23, you recommended that Shs 1.742 billion be allocated for the verification exercise of the former workers of East Africa. I thought the committee was recommending that this money should be allocated for the payment of former workers of East Africa. Mr Speaker, I recall when I was sitting on this committee that verification was done. The committee travelled with staff from East Africa. I remember we went to Soroti and Mbale. We called all those people who were working with the East African Community. Verification was already done, but the committee is still recommending that Shs 1.74 billion be allocated for verification exercise. Let the chairperson clarify on this money. Secondly, Government is in the process of teaching Kiswahili in all schools in this country, but we are lacking teachers for Kiswahili. I pray to the minister in charge of East Africa, the Rt Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, that we should allocate money and train teachers to handle Kiswahili relations in all the schools across the board. Otherwise, thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, I confirm that the meeting indeed took place. When I raised this matter yesterday, it was in respect of the three court cases that we had disposed of in Soroti High Court, where the court ordered the Government to compensate the three different groups. We have over 40,000 verified claimants. Mr Speaker, the Attorney-General – Attorney- General, do not distract the Speaker. He has to listen to this. The Attorney-General was very clear in that meeting. He said that his office is not concerned with those who went to court or those with court judgements. He said that our lawyers should proceed and seek execution in court. However, remember that all these cases came because we went to court. The Attorney- General is the custodian of our laws. Now, if the Attorney-General is the one declining to implement court orders, who is going to help us in this country? Mr Speaker, when we explained that to the Attorney-General, he got up and even told the meeting that even if they did not pay us, what would we do?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am here to present a report of the Committee on Education and Sports on the matter of phasing out the comprehensive nursing certificate and diploma courses by the Ministry of Education and Sports. During the House sitting of Wednesday, 2 March 2022, Hon. Dr Musa Noah, Member of Parliament representing Koboko County North, raised an urgent matter regarding a decision taken by the Government of Uganda to phase out the certificate and diploma courses in comprehensive nursing that were obtained at various comprehensive nursing training schools in the country. This, he said, followed a pronouncement made on 15 January 2022 by the Minister of State for Education in charge of Higher Education, Hon. Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo while presiding over a ceremony during which the Uganda Nurses and Midwifery Examination Board (UNMEB) released results of Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examinations that had been conducted in September 2021. The Hon. Dr Musa made the following prayers: 1. That the Ministry of Education and Sports should provide concrete justification for allowing nursing training schools to train students in comprehensive nursing, contrary to the pronouncement made by the same ministry on phasing out the courses; 2. That the Ministry of Education and Sports should direct all nursing training schools to allow the affected students to pursue alternative courses that match their scores at advanced level and courses that are relevant to the world of work; and 3. That the Ministry of Education and Sports, together with the Ministry of Health ought to develop an abridged course for all students who trained and graduated from comprehensive nursing since they will be required to retrain. With those prayers, the Rt Hon. Speaker acknowledged receipt of this and forwarded the case to the Committee of Education and Sports for proper scrutiny. I request to go to the specific observations and recommendations as time does not allow. Observations and recommendations The first prayer was that the Ministry of Education and Sports should provide a concrete justification for allowing nursing training schools to train students in comprehensive nursing contrary to the pronouncement made by the same ministry. The committee was informed that contrary to the 15 January 2022 pronouncement that phased out the comprehensive nursing course was to take immediate effect, some nursing training schools, like Soroti School of Comprehensive Nursing and Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing were reported to have issued admission letters to 60 and 80 students respectively to pursue courses in comprehensive nursing. The committee observed that some admission letters were dated 12 January 2022 – see admission letter dated 12 January 2022, issued to Mr Ayimana Ahad Salim to pursue a Diploma in Comprehensive Nursing at Soroti School of Registered Comprehensive Nursing, before the pronouncement that was made by

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. I beg to lay on the Table the Ministerial Policy Statement for the Ministry of Education and Sports for the Financial Year 2024/2025 for: 1. Vote 013 – Ministry of Education and Sports; 2. Vote 111 – National Curriculum Development Centre; 3. Vote 128 – Uganda National Examinations Board; 4. Vote 132 – Education Service Commission; 5. Vote 164 – National Council for Higher Education; 6. Vote 165 – Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board; 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local Governments. I beg to lay.

And Soroti.

Exactly, places like Gulu, Soroti, Arua and nearby places; we need to invest and prepare those places. Therefore, it would be procedurally correct for the ministry to pull resources -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I was following up on a matter that my brother, Hon. Martin Ojara Mapenduzi raised. The Minister of Transport and Works gave us a very good response as far as Gulu, in terms of the airport and the road are concerned. However, Madam Speaker, Soroti Flying School, which is the East African School of Aviation, is probably one of the oldest aviation facilities, other than Entebbe, that we have. I seek clarification from the minister that as we plan for these additional ones in other places in the country, what is the plan of the ministry, as far as ensuring that we harness the best possible use of Soroti Flying School, which has the second longest tarmac runway other than Entebbe, in the country – which probably has some of the biggest aviation facilities and equipment in the country after Entebbe? I do not hear this. Secondly, Mr Minister, I know that you are looking at the visitors flying into Gulu, but as you know, Soroti is only one hour away from Lira. We would be glad for you to also tell us what you are thinking in terms of road infrastructure around this sub-region. I thank you.

You mean the Government of Uganda does not own Soroti?

The legal status of Soroti Flying School is still a matter to be decided between East Africa and the Government.

Madam Speaker, I seek clarification from the honourable minister. We have been investing in Soroti Flying School. We even bought an aircraft. President Museveni is the one promoting the East African Community. Can you clarify to this Parliament, how your discussion to own stops you from investing money to allow the guest to use the facility, or make it better, so that when President Museveni or the Speaker of Parliament with the Members of Parliament go to other countries, they can say this facility is for East Africa, but Uganda is investing money and is a model that we desire for the East African cooperation?

And honourable minister, one thing you need to note, is that the land for Soroti Flying School is being encroached on. The land has been taken away. Yes - I see the whole of Soroti standing up.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I beg to present the report of the Committee on Information, Com - munication Technology and National Guid - ance on the operations and performance of the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC). Mr Speaker, I would like to lay on the Table a copy of the report and the minutes the committee meetings while we processed the report. Mr Speaker, over the years, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation has experienced challenges in sustaining operations and in the face of competition, it has almost lost its status as the leading broadcaster in Uganda. This has occasioned the realisation of low revenue insufficient to support its operations. It continues to face challenges of unproductive sources of funding, deficit on wages, lack of funding for local content production and programming, un-automated business processes and high satellite charges. Findings, observations and recommendations Challenges The committee observed that the positioning of UBC sites in far-flung locations attracts attendant challenges like inadequate monitoring, slow emergency response to breakdown and inadequate security of those sites, which affects safety, quality of the equipment and programming. The committee recommends as follows: (i) The Government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport and its agencies, should support the routine maintenance of all roads leading to UBC sites across the country; (ii) The UBC staff at the regional centres and sites be provided with requisite facilitation including transport means to access the sites; and (iii) UBC should procure the necessary software like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition(SCADA) and surveillance cameras for all sites. Encroachment on UBC land across the country Allegations of encroachment on UBC land were also made on upcountry sites like Nyaburiza Mbarara (Mwizi) and Soroti (Dakabela).

12126 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT The committee makes the following observations: (i) UBC lacks proper ownership documentation for some of the pieces of land, including the ones at Buwalasi, Kololo, Wanyange and Namataala. The roads to most of the sites are not cleared; the land is idle and not fenced off. All these issues expose the land to threats of grabbing; (ii) There was giving out of some portions of UBC land under unclear circumstances like the one at Dakabela in Soroti and Namataala; (iii) The inadequate funding has affected the security and recovery of the encroached land; (iv) Most of the encroachment claims have not been reported to the Uganda Police Force for investigations and redress; (v) The operations of the corporation at Kololo National Operating Centre since the certificate of title for the land is in the possession of Uganda Telecommunication Corporation Limited, which is also in business with another private company, are at stake; (vi) The ownership of the land at Buwalasi offered by a resident has been affected by the lack of transfer of this land to UBC since this has never been formalised; the corporation’s occupancy is under threat; and (vii) There is a need to open up boundaries for all UBC land to confirm the alleged encroachment and a need for an audit to all corporation’s land. Mr Speaker, the committee recommends that there should be urgent opening of boundaries of all UBC land with efforts geared towards surveying and securing ownership. Attention should be placed at the regulation of ownership of Buwalasi land. The Government should secure and reclaim all UBC land at all sites that has been grabbed. The committee also recommends that Auditor- General audits all the land attached to UBC to ascertain its ownership and report the finding back to this House within six months –(Interruption)

Thank you. Member for Kumi followed by Members from Soroti and Wakiso.

Member for Soroti, then Wakiso. There are no supplementary questions under Rule 41, on Prime Minister’s Time.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My issue is about the Soroti Blood Bank. Madam Prime Minister, the Government started construction of a blood bank in Soroti, but it has been abandoned. This has left at least six people dying every week at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital because of no blood. People have also abandoned donating because our blood is taken to other places for screening and it comes back when it is less. My question is; what – (Interjections) - yes; leaving people without blood in the hospital. My question is, when are you finishing construction of the blood bank so that blood distribution is equated to all the other districts so that we become the main supplier and do not lose people in the hospital? Thank you.

11885 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 manufacturers and increase the competitiveness of locally manufactured products within the region and beyond. The National industrial policy 2020 also seeks to build a fully integrated, competitive, high value and productive industrial sector through increased: 1. value addition of the local materials and products with comparative advantage for social economic transformation; 2. export of manufactured products by facilitating industries to increase production and match market demands in terms of both quality and quantity; 3. employment in the industrial sector through establishment and promotion of industries that create large-scale employment opportunities, ensuring inclusive growth and sustainable development; and 4. adoption of environmentally sustainable technologies by manufacturing subsectors. Currently, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) operates eight public industrial and business parks namely; Kampala, (Namanve), Luzira, Bweyogerere, Jinja, Soroti, Mbale, Kasese, and Mbarara Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Park. The authority also supports three operational private industrial parks namely; Liao Shen Kapeeka, MMP Industrial Park Buikwe and Tian Tang Mukono, thereby making it eleven industrial and business parks across the country. Accordingly, on 4 June 2021, His Excellency the President while addressing Parliament on the State-of-the-Nation promised to supply electricity to industrial parks directly from some of the Government dams in a bid to reduce the end-user cost of electricity for manufacturers and increase competitiveness of locally manufactured products. In particular, His Excellency the President stated, and I quote, “The cost of electricity is distorted by mistakes committed by some of the actors without my knowledge… We shall see how to get out of this mistake. One solution that I have already ordered for the industrial parks is to supply power directly from some of the Government dams to them. I will not be deflected from that…” It is on this basis, and in line with the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, 2021, that the committee scrutinised the level of implementation of the aforementioned assurance and now presents this report to the august House. Mr Speaker, I am not going to read everything. The content of the report is uploaded so Members can read. I want to go direct to the scope. This report focuses on the following key areas: 1. implementation of the presidential directive; and 2. the state of power supply to the industrial parks. Methodology Documents were reviewed and they are stipulated in the report. There were meetings with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development and there were field visits to selected industrial parks namely; 1. Mbale Industrial and Business Park; 2. Soroti Industrial and Business Park; and 3. Jinja Industrial and Business Park. Committee findings Implementation of the presidential directives In June 2021, His Excellency the President directed the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development that the cost of electricity manufactured had been reduced to $0.05 per unit and the industrial parks should get power directly from the Government operating hydro power stations of Karuma, Isimba, Nalubaale, Kira, without going through Umeme distribution network where it is technologically possible.

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

11891 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 FEBRUARY 2024 Question No.5 From Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Youth Representative, Central Region. That Mulago National Referral Hospital has started a kidney transplant. However, free services have been given to a few people. The rest of the patients have to pay over Shs 46 million, which is too expensive for an ordinary Ugandan. Prayer What is the Government’s plan to ensure this service is available for all? Response Mr Speaker, in December 2023, Mulago National Referral Hospital conducted Uganda’s first kidney transplant successfully, by a team of medical experts from Uganda with counterparts from Yashoda Hospital in India. Mr Speaker, the Government has allowed at least five patients with End-Stage Renal Failure who are on dialysis to have kidney transplants at Mulago National Referral Hospital, free of charge before the fee for the lifesaving procedure is determined for all patients to start paying. The costing of this procedure can then be deduced more accurately rather than estimating from a single or maiden renal transplant. Mr Speaker, Shs 46 million for a kidney transplant is a media-generated figure and not a Government position. The Government has not yet set the cost and our plan through, the Mulago team, is to determine the price after more transplants have been made to get the right picture of the cost implication. The cost of running specialised services is extremely expensive and such services have Ugandans over $18,000 on average, excluding costs of ticket and maintenance abroad. This cost does not include post-operative follow- up treatment which is also very expensive, especially in the first months. All investigations to prepare the patient for transplant were done in Uganda, except for Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) typing where samples were sent to South Africa through Lancet Laboratories. This was more cost effective to do for now until we scale up organ transplant services. Mr Speaker, the success story of Mulago National Referral Hospital in correcting this health condition, will save Ugandans from travelling to India and other developed countries for kidney transplant. The Government of Uganda is committed to saving the lives of Ugandans through such innovations and lessons learned from Mulago. Therefore, after thorough assessment of all that entails the entire process of kidney transplant and full recovery of a patient, a reasonable figure shall be derived and Ugandans shall be informed accordingly. Question No.6 From Hon. Dr. Abed Bwanika, Member of Parliament, Kimaanya- Kabonera Division, Masaka City. He says that on 28 April 2020, the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda approved the creation of 15 news cities and 10 became operational on 1 July 2020, including Jinja, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Soroti, Hoima, Fort portal, Mbarara, Masaka and Mbale. Section 188 of the Local Government Act, instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the minister shall assure the equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments. It is now three years since the operationalisation of the 10 cities without clear guidance on asset sharing. The Ministry of Local Government continues to handle ad hoc by engaging case by case, which has caused a lot of confusion and not desirable. This has negatively affected service delivery in the affected local governments. Some district leadership continue to insist on compensation out of the transfer of assets despite that these are public properties held in trust.

11892 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Prayers: 1. When is the Minister of Local Government concluding on the guidelines for asset sharing and laying the same on the Table in the Parliament of Uganda? 2. How much provision has the Government provided to support establishment of new headquarters for districts that were affected by the creation of new cities? Mr Speaker, my response is that funding to finance the settlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Fort portal, Soroti and Jinja that gave birth to cities was requested for by the Ministry of Local Government during the budgeting period for the current Financial Year 2023/2024. However, funds were not allocated and this remained as an unfunded priority. The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next Financial year 2024/2025 Budget Call Circular. Prayer 2: When are the subcounties that host new district headquarters going to be gazetted as town councils as part of the Local Governments Act? The Ministry of Local Governments has compiled the necessary data from the eight district local governments which have already determined their new locations. We are still waiting for submission from two district local governments. Town councils will be gazetted once the Ministry of Local Governments has received all the information from the two remaining local governments. Prayer 3 That since there are lacunas in the Local Governments Act about the governance of new cities, when is government coming up with a Bill on governance of new cities? My response is that the proposed Amendment Bill for Local Governments Act, Cap 243 has been prepared and will soon be submitted to Cabinet for consideration and approval, and then be brought here for approval. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My matter of national importance refers to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, on Monday, I was honoured to be a guest of honour receiving a donation that came from the United States (US) to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. For the record, Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is the only regional hospital; the rest, Mbale, Lira, Gulu, and Mbarara, among others, that has never got a facelift. It has buildings from 1944, a lot of congestion, and a lot of limited infrastructure in terms of even medical equipment. However, the problem was land. I would like to inform the Rt Hon. Prime Minister and

11912 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT the House that Soroti University - during the handover of this equipment, I was able to see not just an allocation but a process of title of land given to Soroti Regional Referral Hospital; 65 acres of land at Soroti University. My prayer is that – I have already prepared to give these documents to you – now as you advise the Cabinet, we can construct a new fully-fledged hospital. We could let Soroti Regional Referral Hospital become a city hospital. 65 acres is quite an amount of land which means that we could even have a national referral hospital in that area which can accommodate the regions of Lango, Karamoja, Bugisu and everywhere. This land is available. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I always meet people, and especially Members of Parliament. Unfortunately, we never got to connect. I did not know that we were supposed to meet on Tuesday. On Tuesday, I was in Soroti, and I told Parliament. We can connect and meet, no problem – (Interjection) - I will give you the date and we can follow it up after here – (Interruption).

Thank you. You did not understand? I see some of you –(Laughter) - honourable colleagues, it is a training for you. We send you on many international trips, so you must learn to listen to Americans. In the public gallery, honourable colleagues, this afternoon we have students of the Guild of Soroti University from Soroti East, Soroti District. They are represented by Hon. Herbert Ariko and Hon. Anna Adeke. They have come to observe the proceedings of this House. Please join me in welcoming them. (Applause)

Thank you. Honourable colleagues, I would like to correct the record. I was reading what was sent to me here, but Soroti University is in Soroti City and it is represented by the ever-present Hon. Joan Alobo. (Applause) That is our “Kiprotich”. (Laughter) Whenever we have our athletics, she always wins all kinds of medals.

So, it is redeployment, in short, to other areas. (Members rose_) The problem under Prime Minister’s time, we do not have that chance. Honourable colleagues, sub rule 41(8) which provides for Prime Minister’s time says that we cannot exceed one hour, but rule 26 requires me again to appoint a time for Members’ issues on Thursday. I started today with Members’ issues but I want to appoint another hour. However, I would like to beg for your indulgence, we have items to lay and then we continue with the issues. I will give you enough time. The Prime Minister has said that she is here and that she must answer your issues before she goes. LAYING OF PAPERS (I) REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION ON OVERSIGHT FIELD VISIT TO SOROTI UNIVERSITY, LIRA UNIVERSITY, GULU UNIVERSITY, KABALE UNIVERSITY AND MBARARA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wish to lay a report of the Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation on oversight field visit to Soroti University, Lira University, Gulu University, Kabale University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology; under Rule 34 of our Rules of Procedure, I wish to lay.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to raise matters of nation - al importance concerning Serere County. We have issues of power in that area. In 2017, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) launched the construction of a power line from Ochapa Town Council to Kateta Subcounty in Serere District. Around 2020, Mzee George William Okago, in Ochapa Town Council, together with 43 other people, took REA to Soroti Court under Civil Case No. 20 of 2020. The reason for the dispute was that REA planted the pole in their land without their consent. The matter is still pending in Soroti Court. In 2021, the power line from Ochapa Town Council to Katete Subcounty was commissioned by REA and Umeme, and the beneficiaries started using power. In February 2023, Umeme turned off power because of the pending case in the High Court. It is now about 12 months without power. The matter is already in court; it has been moving back and forth, but this is affecting our people. Access to electricity is at the heart of socio-economic development and impacts a wide range of development indicators, including health, education, gender, equality, livelihoods and poverty eradication. As a result of unresolved dispute, the following institutions have been affected –

11582 THE CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023 Kamwenge, Katakwi, Kasese, Kibaale, Kiboga, Kyenjojo, Mbale, Masindi, Mayuge, Mukono, Namalemba, Nakapiripirit – I am trying to remember Namalemba; my apologies – Pallisa, Rukungiri, Sironko, Wakiso and Soroti. Policy and control measures in place Our policy on FMD is for the Government to avail vaccines to farmers as a public good for reasons explained earlier. For many years, I think since during colonial times, the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries has been providing a budget item for procuring vaccines. This, however, has been insufficient and only covers 1.1 Per cent of the susceptible domestic animal population, contrary to the recommended at-least 80 per cent coverage, leaving the rest of the herd vulnerable. This explains why the country experiences repeated outbreaks. Although the Animal Diseases Act, CAP. 38, empowers the Commissioner of Animal Health to order for the destruction of affected animals under the “test and slaughter” approach, the country cannot afford to implement this provision of the law due to high compensation budget requirements. Mr Speaker, with the budget limitations alluded to above, our ministry adopted the ring vaccination methodology, targeting the locations with animals at high risk. When we buy a few vaccines annually, the budget we get gives us, on average, half a million doses. We distribute them to district veterinary officers of the most prone districts and those with outbreaks to carry out ring vaccination around the infected herds or kraals. We also institute quarantine and other measures in the affected and susceptible districts to prevent spread or disrupt transmission. Mr Speaker, our total susceptible animal herd that requires FMD vaccination, as per current estimates, is 44 million cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. This, therefore, requires an annual vaccine stock of 88 million doses for the bi- annual vaccination requirement at a cost of $2 per dose. The financial implication for this translates into $ 176 million. The Government has been studying this financial implication and notes the financial stress it would impose on the national Budget, if the requirement for the bi-annual mass vaccination is to be achieved. Accordingly, and with the guidance of the President, a Cabinet Paper is scheduled for discussion at the next Cabinet sitting on Monday, 5 February 2024 to consider a number of policy options, including cost-sharing by the farmer, since the cost per dose is affordable by most livestock farmers. I will revert to this House and the country on the final position adopted by Cabinet. In the meantime, my ministry has repurposed some of the budget you gave us, under the development budget, and managed to avail 2.56 million doses to the country through the district veterinary officers of 94 districts last year. The list is attached to this brief. It shows which district veterinary officers took what. Under the same arrangement, we have ordered for 2.3 million doses, expected in a few months to come. Mr Speaker, another challenge associated with procuring FMD vaccines is that they cannot be bought off-shelf, since they are biological; live organisms with a short shelf life. You order and they manufacture for you. This explains the delay in their supply chain. In the circumstances, it becomes inevitable for the Commissioner of Animal Health, who is the commander of the animal disease control chain in the country, to order or impose animal movement restrictions or what you know as quarantine in affected districts. Quarantines are unpopular and an inconvenience to people’s livelihoods yet again, inevitable as temporary measures to control further spread to alarming and uncontrollable epidemic levels. We can lose the whole herd, if we do not become strict. If the stakeholders can be disciplined and comply with the quarantine protocols, the MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS [Mr Tumwebaze]

Mr Speaker, I beg that I report on Thursday because on Tuesday I will be in Soroti. Thank you.

Is the motion seconded? Okay, it is seconded by Hon. Mushemeza, Hon Obigah, Hon. Alomu, Hon. Nyeko, Member for Nakawa, Jinja, Kiboga, the Leader of the Opposition, Member for Soroti, Dean of the Independents, Gen. Katumba, Hon. Bahati, Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Muwuma, the whole House has really seconded this. Honourable minister, would you like to speak to your motion, briefly?

11500 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 together with the Ministry of Education and Sports said that they did not have the money. They said they would do it the following year. In 2023/2024, we again appropriated the money. However, to-date – we should be thinking about those students and pupils, because the parents, once the list was published in the New Vision , they pulled back saying that the Government had taken over. What is the fate of these children today, after hearing what the Minister of Education and the Minister of Finance said? We appropriated money. Can the Minister of Finance together with the Minister of Education and Sports confirm to the parents who come from those areas, where those schools are, that this year, there will not be any money, they should just continue paying for the services of the teachers? Otherwise, without that, the schools will close. I appeal to the minister to follow up on that matter. The Equal Opportunities Commission published a damning report, a strong indictment to Government about the distribution of services and jobs in this country. Honourable minister, as you work on the National Budget Framework Paper, please, can you take that into consideration such that we do not see that reoccur in this country? We all belong to this country and we all pay taxes. Please, take note of that and incorporate it when you are doing the National Budget Framework Paper in the allocation of resources. Finally, on the issue of the infrastructure, I cannot conclude without saying, please, Kumi- Serere-Kasilo-Kagwara Road; the President promised us in 2011, 2016, 2021 and we do not want him to say the same thing in 2026 campaigns. We even got a letter in 2022, the blue letters, putting that road. They even wrote a letter in 2022 indicating the roads to be worked on: Soroti, Serere , Pingire, Bugondo, Garama and the one of Ochero. I am happy with the one of Kaberamaido- Ochero, we passed the loan here but those are the two. Those are the few roads on the eastern part of the Greater North road, if you started from Jinja up to Soroti. How many roads on the left-hand side of the road are tarmac? It is only one, the one of Tirinyi. Please, help us to sort that matter such that we can – (Member timed out.)

11454 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY s 2024/2025 - 2028/2029 The committee retreats its earlier recommendation that an additional Shs 4 billion be provided to NMS for procurement of a kit of glucometers, BP machines and thermometers for 3000 health workers across the country. Uganda Virus Research Institute - money has been provided to a tune of Shs 2.6 billion. Health Service Commission for recruitment – Shs 500 million, Uganda Blood Transfusion Shs 2.4 billion - we need blood in this country. Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital requested an additional Shs 6.1 billion for the recruitment of additional staff and also a funding gap of 0.87 be provided to Kawempe for maintenance of equipment. Kiruddu Hospital funds have been provided and the details are in the report. Mulago National Referral Hospital money was provided. Mr Speaker, generally, all the hospitals’ money was provided for including all the regional referral hospitals of Soroti, Jinja, Masaka, Fort Portal, Hoima, Mubende, Lira, Entebbe, Naguru, Kawempe, Yumbe, Kiruddu and Moroto. All these have been provided for, Mr Speaker. Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, page 180 The committee recommends that the Government should expedite the appointment of the Uganda Export Promotion Board (UEPB) and allocate an additional budget of Shs 9.4 billion to develop exports and discover new markets for Uganda in view of the worsening trading imbalances recently noticed after AGOA. Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) should be supported to support our export sector with an additional resource. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, we have Annex 2, which provides a summary of the funding requirements to cater for critical Government programmes. Therefore, in accordance with Section 9(8) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 145 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the committee recommends that the proposed National Budget Framework Paper of the Financial Year 2024/2025 to the Financial Year 2028/2029 be approved by this Parliament with amendments as per the committee’s recommendations. I beg to report, Mr Speaker. (Applause)

Madam Speaker, on the Committee on Human Rights, I designate the following colleagues: 1. Hon. Shamim Malende- Woman Representative, Kampala; 2. Hon. Francis Zaake - Mityana Municipality; 3. Hon. Muhammad Ssegirinya - Kawempe Division North; 4. Hon. Flavia Nabagabe - Woman Rep. Kassanda; and 5. Hon. Allan Mayanja - Nakaseke Central County; 6. Hon. Anna Adeke - Soroti; 7. Hon. Tom Ekudo - Geri County; 8. Hon Geofrey Okello - Nwoya East County, Nwoya; 9. Hon. Jonathan Odur - Erute South, Lira; and 10. Hon. Eunice Atuko Apio - Oyam North. I beg to designate, Madam Speaker.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I have heard the Leader of the Opposition talking about no coffee road for generations. One thing you do not know is that cotton was the first crop registered. (Applause) It is an international crop that we have grown. I was educated on its basis. However, up to now we are struggling to get the Ministry of Works and Transport extend some roads there. Madam Speaker, let it be on record that the Minister of Works and Transport assured the people of the north that there will be security shortcuts to connect the North to the South through Amodo Swamp. It is now 10 years since; nothing has been seen. Madam Speaker, you know that the highway that connects the North to the East has remained miserable, apart from that spot between Dokolo and Soroti. That is the only thing we can be proud of. While they wanted to make me feel good, the entire North is in bad shape. Therefore, it is important that the Minister of Works and Transport should know that coffee goes through Lira-Kamdini, Soroti and the highway. We need cotton roads.

11282 SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2023/2024 Public Debt Portfolio Analysis The committee observed that the preliminary country’s total nominal public debt stock stood at Shs 86.779 trillion as at the end of June 2023. This is equivalent to 46.9 per cent of GDP compared to 48.4 per cent as at June 2022. Of the total public debt stock as at June 2023, external debt constituted 60.2 per cent, which is US$ 14.24 billion while domestic debt constituted 39.8 per cent, which is US$ 9.4 billion. Preliminary findings from the annual debt statistical bulletin indicated that a total of approximately US$ 3.29 billion external debt was committed and remained undisbursed as at 30 June 2023. This debt would increase Uganda’s stock in the medium-term, even without signing any new loans. With the growing level of public debt due to its significance in meeting the country’s huge financing development needs, there is need to pay close attention to the cost of debt and the economic rate of return of projects financed through debt. The committee recommends as follows; (i) Given the existing global uncertainties (lower global growth, persistent high inflation in advanced economies, tight global financial conditions, slow growth in domestic revenue and climate change disruptions), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should prudently project and manage the funding mix as well as review its priorities to avoid escalation of debt beyond a sustainable level. (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should fast- track implementation of strategies to enhance domestic revenue generation for the country and reducing or rationalising government expenditure. (iii) Acquisition of additional debt should be targeted towards those sectors that trigger export growth and contribute to domestic revenue mobilisation. Criteria for selection of beneficiary districts The committee was informed that the selection of the beneficiary districts was based on the following; climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation. The committee, however, notes that some of the districts which met the criteria were omitted. For example; Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma. The committee, therefore, recommends that the districts of Namayingo, Busia, Masaka, Soroti, Kwania, Lira, Gulu, Rwampara, Ntungamo, Pakwach, Kapchorwa, Mukono, Nabilatuk, Luwero, Kalungu, Kalangala and Buvuma should be absorbed on the climate smart project due to the climate change vulnerability of the watersheds, poverty levels of sub-regional level and watershed degradation concerns in these districts. The inclusion of these districts will not alter the value chain in their respective subregions. Conclusion The committee, therefore, recommends that the request by Government to borrow up to US$ 325 million and receive a grant of up to SDR 19.5 million (equivalent to US$ 25 million) from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to finance the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project be approved subject to these recommendations. I beg to report.

Thank you for that information from the minister. 3.9 Vote 015: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives The committee recommends that we approve Shs 51.733 billion to Vote 015 to cater for; (a) Shs 9.467 billion, as a shortfall to Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) for Soroti Fruit Factory. Hon. Ebwalu, Hon. Ebaju, Hon. Aogon, all Teso, Eastern Region and Uganda Members of Parliament, the factory is there for production. (b) Shs 37 billion as the funding required to complete the construction of the Speke Resort Convention Centre at Munyonyo.

11236 THE OPPOSITION RESPONSE TO MINISTERIAL STATEMENT she had taken a record of the security vehicle, she would be unable to live to tell the story as a witness. I refer the House to the 25 July 2023 Daily Monitor report which I have attached entitled, “Army stray bullet kills woman going to her garden.” Besides, security is fond of switching registration number plates upon accomplishing their missions. This was evident in the tenure of Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeyi, as the Deputy Inspector General of Police, when his vehicle number plate was switched to a Toyota Hiace drone for an operation; this is a deputy IGP switching number plates. The police spokesperson, Fred Enanga, came out in defence of the saga and stated that it is their tendency, as security, to switch number plates, depending on the magnitude of the operation they intend to conduct. I also reflect on the various by-elections like Omoro, Soroti, Bukedea, among others, where security forces concealed their vehicle number plates with cow dung to evade detection. (Laughter)

Honourable Prime Minister, I think what you need to do is to liaise with the Ministry of Works and Transport. Indeed, it is first-class tarmac and there are no humps at all even in the town centres. One can cruise from Tirinyi up to Soroti non-stop – actually up to Moroto. There are no humps anywhere. That is a little dangerous.

Honourable Government Chief Whip, you had different instructions - I think because we saw him. The honourable minister was given a report to present and I was insisting that it must be presented by the Minister of Lands so that she can be able to respond. However, let us receive the report, upload it and then she comes to present it on Thursday, So that you study the report, get all those areas that have been mentioned, then you can be able to discuss. I hope it has the Golf Course of Soroti. Please, lay the report. You can actually read the report and then, leave the debate to the minister.

11138 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT viii) There is poor coordination during implementation, shoddy and incomplete work in most of the facilities. Madam Speaker, like I said, the committee visited the two sub-regions of Karamoja and Teso based on the background information that is highlighted below. Karamoja’s prevailing pastoral and agro- pastoral production systems are characterised by long dry spells and cyclical droughts that are exacerbated by climate change. The scarcity of water associated with the drought is considered the greatest risk to agricultural development. In addition, a considerable number of valley tanks - up to 20,000 cubic metres and wells - have been constructed across the sub-region, but most have dried up due to the long dry season. Much of the existing water storage infrastructure suffered from consequences of years of utilisation without proper operation and maintenance. Furthermore, water catchment areas supplying water to the water storage sites are under threat due to overgrazing, forest destruction, bushfires and increasing charcoal production. Like in other regions, Teso sub-region depends on agriculture as a key economic activity. However, the area has been experiencing erratic and unpredictable rainfall, which has resulted into frequent floods, water logging and severe prolonged drought, contributing to food insecurity. The Government has established a number of water-for-production facilities, but the demand is still high. It is against this background that the committee conducted a field visit to Karamoja and Teso, to assess the selected water-for-production facilities. The objectives of the field trip are captured under 3.0, the methodology is under 4.0. After the field trip, the committee had an engagement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Ministry of Water and Environment and; Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. The sites that were visited are in 4.2 that is; in Moroto, Nakonyen Valley Dam; Amudat District, Katotin Small Scale Irrigation Scheme and Kosike Valley Dam. In Kaabong, the committee visited Longoromit Valley Dam and Usake Valley Dam. In Kotido, the committee visited Kaoyangorok Valley Dam and Kailong Valley Dam. In Abim, the committee visited Kawomeri Valley Dam and Kanu Valley Dam; in Soroti, the committee visited Alere Small-Scale Irrigation scheme; in Bukedea, Acomai Irrigation Scheme and Akero Valley tank. In Kumi, Amosingo Small-Scale Irrigation Scheme and Agurut Valley tank; while in Serere, the committee visited Opapa Small- Scale Irrigation Scheme. Findings in Nakonyen, Moroto District. The committee was informed that work commenced in January 2023. The facility, after completion, would have a capacity of 1,580,000 cubic metres and would serve the people of Tapac and the neighbouring communities. The committee was informed that a cost of Shs 9.1 billion was to be spent. Committee observations The cost of the project has been increasing over time. The original cost was Shs 8.1 billion, but at the time of the committee visit, it had increased to Shs 9.1 billion. As of October 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries had revised the cost to Shs 10.9 billion. After nine months, the project is behind schedule and may not be completed within the planned activities.

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.

11100 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT i. Ibra Kalista ii. Charles Bala iii. Denis Akoro iv. Desani Sonko v. Abudu Wandawa Odeke vi. Francis Odongo vii. John Ojalet viii. Daniel Dowan ix. Ismail Walusimbi These suspects were found in possession of six cut pieces of rails. A case file of being in possession of stolen rail materials has been opened up vide URC Soroti SD: 19/17/08/23 and subsequently CRB: 13/2023, which was later on submitted to the Resident State Attorney (RSA) for his legal opinion. Exhibited railway materials were found in their possession. The case file was withdrawn from RSA’s office before it could be acted upon by the office of the regional CIID East Kyoga, on grounds that the OC Railway, Soroti neither had the jurisdiction to investigate cases, nor submit them to the Resident State Attorney. The Regional CIID, however, had not taken over the file, but instead handed it over to the OC Railway without divulging the concerns that led to its withdrawal from the RSA. The matter has been put to the relevant docket heads to sort without allowing the culprits to go scot-free on the mere excuse of procedural flaws in the case management. Madam Speaker, regarding the concern of extortion by the police, investigations are still ongoing so that the necessary disciplinary action can be taken against implicated officers once culpability is established. Hon. Etuka Isaac, Member of Parliament, Upper Madi County He raised a matter concerning the delayed construction of a technical institute in Upper Madi County. His prayer is, can I update this House on the matter? My response is that it is indeed true that Madi-Okollo is among the districts without a technical institute. This is a challenge which we acknowledge and remain committed to addressing. However, it is important for Members to note the state of disrepair, which many of our institutes are currently in. This is as a result of lack of maintenance over time. The ministry would, therefore, like to focus resources on rehabilitation of these institutes and fulfilment of the presidential pledges on the same. Madam Speaker, we are also encouraging Members from districts without institutes to make use of the existing ones. This will help us to curb the prevalent challenge of low student enrolment, in order to make the continued operation of these institutes viable. In future, we shall work to ensure that each district has a technical institute and a skills development centre is operational in every constituency. Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi, Chief Opposition Whip, FDC and a Member of Parliament for Mawokota South stated that on 27 July 2023, Parliament resolved that the addition of Shs 1 billion to 135 districts, 10 cities and 31 municipalities be used for road maintenance, as opposed to road rehabilitation. However, we have received information alleging that Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) who constitute part of the District Roads Committees are raising great resistance regarding the use of this additional maintenance grant. It is further alleged that the money is sitting idle on accounts, yet roads in districts, cities and municipalities are impassable and in dire state. This is his question is, why has it taken the Government too long to implement the resolution of Parliament to this effect, so that the road works can go on smoothly in these local governments, cities and municipal councils? My response is that the parliamentary resolution of 27 July 2023 on the allocation of Shs 1 billion to district, cities and municipalities for maintenance of roads is in line with a Cabinet [Ms Nabbanja] PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

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

Can I play devil’s advocate? There was a report that was presented here - Hon. Ebwalu raised an issue that Soroti Fruit Factory had been given out. Do we still have the Soroti Fruit Factory? I want information from the Prime Minister – (Member rose_) No, you do not have information. It is the Prime Minister who has information.

Madam Speaker, Soroti Fruit Factory has not been given out. You are aware that the President has been struggling to make sure that the oranges - because he is the one who advocated for the people of Soroti and Teso subregion to engage in fruit farming. The current factory we have has got limitations but they can easily be done away with. We have one of the investors, Mrs Zenawi, who is the former First Lady of Ethiopia. According to the President, she has the capacity to help us revamp this factory because UDC has mismanaged this factory in partnership with the Government of Uganda. We are in the process of making sure that UDC together with the former First Lady of Ethiopia, Mrs Zenawi, can come up with regulations and a way to have that partnership. The issues are now with the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General is already taking the necessary audits. We are still on the way. For the spraying of the fruits, I request the Member to write so that I can get technical answers to his question.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Your question to the Prime Minister was very clear. As she was closing, it was as if she was going to the question. I seek clarification from the Prime Minister whether she understood the question from the Speaker, and if she got it, has the Soroti Fruit Factory been given away or not?

Thank you, Madam Speaker, and happy birthday. The Committee on Trade and Industry brought a report to this House with recommendations in regard to the mismanagement of that factory. The Prime Minister is here as the Leader of Government Business. Would she explain to us what has been done on the recommendations and resolutions of this House? What have you done with the UDC staff because so many of them were named, including the Managing Director of Soroti Fruit Factory? What have you done as the Leader of Government Business? Should we continue trusting these people? Before I sit down, there has been a plane moving around the swampy areas of Teso, demarcating and dropping mark stones.

That is done by the Ministry of Energy. They are doing a geophysical survey of the area. I think what we need to do on the issue of the report of Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry is to get the action-taken report. You may not ambush the Prime Minister now because she may not know; she gets so many reports. She may not know what is happening, but she will come with the action-taken report on the Soroti Fruit Factory.

Most obliged. First of all, I would to take exception to a certain kind of character, which is not me, but my particular contribution as Teso Subregion, we did make a presentation. What is very fundamental is that there are cross-cutting issues. Yes, I cannot lie to you that we picked each and every district, but we used the districts that we presented as the classical cases that would be used to demonstrate a similar experience because the implementation of PDM in Teso was the same like in most of these districts. We highlighted very exceptional issues, which were distinct to certain areas, which we submitted. The biggest challenge we faced as a region is that at the further north of Teso, in the districts of Amuria, Katakwi and Kapelebyong, the implementation of PDM was hampered by the fact that we did not have a financial institution such as a bank within the vicinity of the people. People had to trek to the neighbouring district, which is Soroti, in order to access some of this, which we highlighted, Madam Speaker. Teso was fully, adequately and effectively represented in the report presented by the Chairperson.

What is on that document is what made us win the bid. I want us to differentiate the local games that we have in Uganda; in Bukedea, Soroti with the international games. Honourable minister, can you respond?

10911 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U G ANDA WEDNESDAY, 15 N O V EMBER 2 023 patching only where they think visitors are going to pass. The biggest visitors in this country are us. (Applause) First start with us because all of us come from outside Kampala. We are visitors in this city. Patch up everywhere since we have given you money - not only for a road going to Munyonyo. We know that there are a lot of inconveniences that happen when a road is being worked on; there is a diversion and you cannot pass. We also currently have too much rain. I request KCCA to consider all Ugandans as visitors as we wait for the others who are coming. We want a beautiful city; we do not have to segregate. We do not work on our house only when we know that there are visitors coming. We gave out money and it is for the whole city. Honourable members, this morning - and I am saying this painfully. I should not have said it, especially when the chairperson of Lango Parliamentary Group is my very good friend. I saw a press conference where the Lango Parliamentary Group was addressing the nation. I have also seen T-shirts and a number of posts on social media saying “No Akii-Bua, no AFCON; no Akii-Bua, no vote.” I would like us to distinguish between presidential pledges and what was put in the AFCON bid. The bid had requirements that have to be fulfilled whereas a presidential pledge also has to be fulfilled. There is Akii-Bua and Buhinga, which must be fulfilled. Let us not jeopardise our bid for AFCON. This is an international bid; let us not localise it. (Applause) I also come from a different subregion; do you want us also on Sunday to say, “No Soroti/ Bukedea Stadium, no vote”? There was a decision by Parliament that – Dr Chris, do you remember the decision of Parliament on putting up stadia all over the country? You will give it to us. We are not going to tolerate this. Why didn’t you make that noise when we were bidding? Because we were on tension when we were bidding for AFCON. Please love your country. The fact is that Akii- Bua must get its stadium at whatever cost. Buhinga will get it. It was a presidential pledge. That is why I am not asking for it in Bukedea because it was not pledged there. I want us to desist from that and look at what is good for our country. That kind of cheap politics will not take us anywhere. Let us love this country. I will only need to hear from the minister on the position of the Cabinet on that issue. For you to have the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), you needed to have an airfield in your area; that is when they would use your stadium, and the only places that qualified were Hoima and Kampala. Therefore, for us who do not have – (Laughter) - honourable members, let us accept that we do not have them. It is not until they are put there that we can have it. Let us first host this one and not attach politics to it – no vote! Vote for who? I hope you have votes for yourself, first. Honourable members, let us desist from such because if these people of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) hear that, it is bad publicity for this country. I believe the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Cabinet and the Government are going to do the right thing, following what was in the bid and the presidential pledge. Let us differentiate between presidential pledges and what is in the bid. The checklist is in the bid – what was put there. That is why places like Nakivubo and Namboole are going to host matches. There is going to be a stadium put up in Arua, but not for AFCON. I would like to thank you very much and request that as you enter and later exit, please, clock in and out. Today is the second day – I started counting yesterday. I am checking the list every day, of people who attend the House.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also welcome you back, but also on behalf of the Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association, I congratulate you for this double joy of our little twins. I wish you and the babies good health. This country is blessed with very good doctors, some of the best doctors in the region. However, the doctors lack that enabling environment for them to perform the tasks that they need to perform. For example, in the Neurosurgery Department in Mulago, they are very few. I do not think they are currently even more than 10 qualified neurosurgeons who are at Mulago Hospital, but the space is not there. When you move to the regional referral hospitals - I know we were doing some work; you may ask what I did when we were in the Ministry of Health. However, with support from the Government, we have tried to expand and build some new structures, but still, there are not enough resources. The construction is very slow. When you reach Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, finding four or five babies on a single bed - it is terrible with mothers standing beside these babies. They just needed Shs 8 billion to complete the new structure, but the money is phased over different financial years. Soroti Regional Referral Hospital is one of those hospitals that have not received funding for expansion and yet, we have very good doctors. You remember the separation of the twins that was done by those doctors and we think the doctors cannot do their work? It is the environment. Honourable colleagues, we are in the budgeting process - let us prioritise healthcare because the majority of our people cannot fly out of this country. You and I may go, but they cannot. Let us have the facilities so that they are able to get-

10873 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2023 If it takes someone from Karamoja or Teso – let us say from Soroti – to move to Kampala just to have a CT scan conducted as a result of the malfunction of the regional referral hospital CT scan in that area, then you can look at the cost that someone in the rural area bears just to access these services that deal with diagnostics. So, what is your pledge as well in order to make those services available, reliable and accessible to all the people nationwide?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As per Article 163(4), the Parliament received these reports and the scope of this report covers the education sector. This is in respect of the public universities which include, among others, under the Ministry of Education and Sports: Muni, Gulu, Lira, Soroti and Makerere University Business School, Nakawa and Makerere, Busitema, Kabale and Mbarara Universities. Mr Speaker, let me go straight to the Government of Uganda (GOU). The committee notes that a shortfall in the Government of Uganda’s revenue affects the implementation of planned activities at the Vote level and subsequently nationwide. The shortfall in releases was due to the finance ministry’s failure to fully fund the entities’ budgets citing poor economic performance. This observation should be made on the finance ministry because these entities have no powers over budget release, cuts, among others. In some entities like Kyambogo University, critical activities were affected by budget cuts and these activities had to be rolled over to the next work plan of the Financial Year 2022/2023. During this Financial Year 2022/2023, the finance ministry improved releases to Lira University and Makerere University, among others. The committee recommends that the accounting officers should always engage the finance ministry on releases and pursue the balances so as not to curtail the implementation of activities or events depriving their budget lines. Honourable members, since these reports are already uploaded and I know you have already gone through them, let me interest you to look at issues that the committee observed. The committee further observed that non- implementation of planned activities implies that expected services to the beneficiary communities were not attained. The committee notes that while COVID-19 and its effects were factual, the finance ministry be held liable for late releases and going forward, desist from making late releases to entities as it curtails efficient and effective achievement of planned activities. To further explain this, many times, as we heard yesterday, warrants are issued and the finance ministry releases funds to these entities late. You are aware that some of these funds are supposed to be for recruitment and procurement and the time available for them to absorb those funds, when released late, is not possible. In summary, it leads to non-implementation of these activities. Honourable colleagues, aware that the report is big and that you have also gone through it, as raised by the Speaker, in conclusion, it is my prayer and that of the committee that this august House adopts the recommendations contained in this report on the education sector. I hereby move. [Ms Obigah] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report. The education sector is very important. If you look at the universities, especially the public universities in this country, many of them are beautiful. However, in some of the new universities like Muni and Soroti, there are structures, but with a few faculties. Students would want to apply to faculties like medicine, but they do not exist in some universities. The universities cannot create these faculties because they do not have funds. I am happy that the Government created a system where all students pay directly through Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to the Consolidated Fund. This means that these universities are not in control of these funds. Why don’t we pay back to the universities so that those faculties are put in place? Management in most of the universities becomes a problem, especially, the new ones. Once a university is established, why don’t we fully operationalise it before creating new ones? Thank you.

Mr Speaker, I have a few issues to raise to the Minister. In my constituency, we have lines that are passing over everywhere, but it is non-functional. There is no power. You have not switched on power for the last five years. So why do you have those lines there, yet there is no power? The second point regards the intermittent power supply. We have a very big town council, Dokolo Town Council. We have power twice a week. Maybe in two weeks, we can have power for only two days. I do not know why it is being done like that. We need to connect from the Lira line, not the Soroti line. Connect us directly from Lira up to Dokolo because that line is more stable. The third point concerns the high cost of electricity; the tariffs are too high. My people cannot afford it. You run your factory for one week; you pay Shs 20 million for power alone if you are running a factory. If it is a big factory, you pay over Shs 100 million and it is also affecting our businesses. In addition, the small wooden poles, especially in Adeknino Subcounty, are very tiny. I do not think they will even last five years. I would prefer that you replace them with concrete poles because they are more stable. We also have many trading centres in my district where the wire-line is only passing through. There is no step-down transformer in those trading centres. I would like to request the minister to procure more transformers so that -(Member timed out.)

Yes, Hon. Awany. I want to appreciate him. He worked with our elder, Hon. Lokeris and he is the one leading us on negotiations. In Tororo, I worked with Hon. Ekanya and my committee chairperson. We also had an issue with PAPs. Mr Speaker, I am a student of conflict management. I always involve people and end up solving the conflicts. However, there are those stubborn ones who will push me to go into compulsory acquisition – I am going to summarise. The issue of intermittent power or power outages has come up. Sometimes, there are different factors that cause power outages, but, like Hon. Kateshumbwa mentioned, some of the lines need refurbishing – and we have started. We have changed some old poles, for example, on the Soroti line from Opuyo up to Tororo. That line is now metallic. I am just remaining with Tororo-Mbale. It is a small stretch, which we are also going to upgrade. We are doing the upgrading to reduce intermittent power. On the tariff, what can I say? I am under instruction by the President to make sure that the tariff goes down, especially for industries. However, you know the factors that contribute to the high tariff. If you do not invest money, especially in generation, you will raise the tariff by 60 per cent. That is why we keep on saying that when we finally commission Karuma, the 600 megawatts will be sold at 4.7 kilowatt hours per unit. For Nalubaale and Kiira, where the Eskom concession ended and it is UEGL now managing it, 380 megawatts will be sold at 1.2. When you take the generation mix, those two sources will reduce the tariff. That is why we are yearning to commission Karuma. However, generation contributes 60 per cent. If you use borrowed money, power will be expensive. The other thing that we will reduce on the tariff is to improve the conductors that we use so that we reduce power losses. When you lose power, then, you pay for nothing and the tariff will remain high because we have to sustain the sector. Many of you are concerned about the tariffs. I am equally concerned and hope that one day, we shall see the tariff getting managed.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your indulgence. On the first loan proposal, the minister has laid on the Table here for upgrading national roads. For purposes of equity, we have had issues here. Whenever the finance ministry brings loans here, in order for Members to understand this properly, they bring them with him specific roads mentioned. This time, I do not know why he has changed to generalise that the loan is for upgrading national roads, without going into specifics. We have had outstanding issues on some roads that needed upgrading, which the President has kept missing like Kumi, for example, Kumi - Serere, – Kasilo - Kagwara Road, and Serere- Soroti Road. It was in the programme but it was moved out. Apart from that, there are others in other regions. So, it is very important for other areas to equally benefit. I remember at one point, they shifted money –

Thank you. Members from Kumi, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Bundibugyo and Soroti.

Mr Speaker, in April 2019, President Museveni came to Soroti and commissioned the Soroti Fruit Factory, with the main aim of improving the social and economic well-being of people from that region and beyond. However, last week, the Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister (Teso Affairs) called the local governments and told them the President has directed that the factory be privatised and given to the former First Lady of Ethiopia, Azeb Mesfin Haile, which position we protest as a region. Mr Speaker, the reasons being advanced are that the factory is making losses. However, in February 2022, I raised a matter on the Floor of Parliament regarding the challenges facing the Soroti Fruit Factory. The Speaker, in her wisdom, at that time directed the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry to investigate and report to this Parliament. Subsequently, on 2 March 2022, the committee made 21 recommendations to this Parliament, among which included; That Parliament gives money to the Soroti Fruit Factory to buy a weighbridge. The committee also recommended: 1. That money be given to the fruit factory to build a warehouse for storage. 2. We need to expand the water treatment plant at the factory. 3. A fully automated packaging line be bought for the food factory. All that has never been done. Mr Speaker, among the 21 recommendations only two have been implemented; that is, to interdict the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and to set up the board. My humble view is that the Prime Minister should tell us why we have not implemented the recommendations of Parliament before we go ahead to privatize this company and give it to a foreign investor. Finally, as I conclude -

Mr Speaker, during the campaign of 2021, His Excellency, the President was overwhelmed by the demands from the people. He advised and mobilised the people of the Teso Subregion to choose the enterprise of fruits. Therefore, he is the one who initiated the setting up of the fruit factory in Soroti with a view that it would help the farmers to increase their household income. However, it is absurd that even up to now, that fruit factory is not helping our farmers and so, he came up with the idea that we look for an investor who will help us to put in place what he has come up with because Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) has naturally failed to manage that factory. We have had several meetings and the answer to this is for us - the machines these people bought cannot handle the number and tonnage of fruits produced by the factory.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. My colleague Hon. Amero has been talking about the fruit factory in Soroti. The same factory for mangos has been established in West Nile in Yumbe District for mango fruit processing. This factory was ready to take off by 2021. A test run was done, but up to date, it has not yet taken off because of a group of people who claim to be part of the directors.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am a representative of the people and I received complaints that my people’s crops are being cut down in Soroti. Even if you were to harvest your crops tomorrow, they come with a mower, slash all the trees down and even burn the sugarcane because they are in the wetland. Is it not right for us to ask them to remove their crops from the wetlands and next year, they do not cultivate on it?

Mr Speaker, mine is about the trailers or vehicles that are parked along the highways. On the 28 th of September, a vehicle carrying our students of Kaberamaido Midland High School rammed into a stationery trailer along the Mbale-Soroti Highway. Very many students were injured. Two died on the spot, 38 were badly injured, and about two or four had multiple fractures. Mr Speaker, we are suffering high burden of medical calls from the hospitals. My prayer is that the Ministry of Works and Transport or Uganda National Roads Authority take serious actions on such vehicles. Mr Speaker, Members have time and again raised this issue, but no action has been taken.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Let me also thank the Leader of Government Business for the ability to sustain both the physical and mental effort in answering these questions, and also for blowing your own trumpet. (Laughter) Mr Speaker, I have a few comments; I will begin with question two - I know the listening span has gone down – by Hon. Fortunate Nantongo and there was a supplementary one from Hon. Mpindi, on the National Special Disability Grant. Madam Prime Minister, what is at hand, is the recommendation in the reports of Equal Opportunities Committee. I had an opportunity to go through – mentions, actually the dictates of Section 10 of the Persons with Disability Act, about buildings being PWD friendly, but what about buildings, now like Parliament, hospitals, banks and even courts of law that have already been constructed? There is no provision in that law. It, therefore, requires an amendment to remodel these buildings so that they are - even if the design, or rather the structural and architectural designs never captured the PWD- friendly aspects, this time around, you ought to think of re-modelling such buildings. For instance, it does not have handrails that ease the movement of persons with disabilities. We may have designated parking yards, and ramps in some places, but not all over the place. The second question, which is correlated to this was raised by Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu on the Soroti Fruit Factory. There is a report, and for all the time I have been here, I have been going through the raft of 21 recommendations, which are very good recommendations. One of them, particularly number 16, adversely mentions Uganda Development Corporation and even makes a proposal that the UDC Act, 2016 should be amended because issues within UDC are responsible for the failure of this fruit factory.

Or in Busiro that there is a need for a market. What Hon. Sseggona is raising is important for you. You need to do it across the whole country and assess where we need a good market, like the one we have in Soroti. Make that assessment and see what you can do in different areas; it will help you. It will also help us in the next budgeting process.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Close to two months ago, I was on this Floor raising a matter regarding the constant power blackout affecting Soroti City and the surrounding areas. We all know that His Excellency the President issued a letter to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development that the Umeme concession is, probably, one that we are not going to renew. The challenges of Umeme are escalating by the day. In the constituency where I come from, Umeme no longer replaces transformers, services the power lines or invests in infrastructure yet, according to the concession agreement, the Government and Ugandans continue to meet their obligations. The people that I represent, who comprise those that live in the central business district (CBD) of Soroti and most of whom are involved in manufacturing, industrial work and other artisanal kinds of engagements, cannot operate anymore because they do not have power. I know the Rt Hon. Prime Minister promised that she would call a meeting in which the Umeme people and I would be in attendance. Madam Speaker, I wish to report that, that meeting has not happened. I therefore pray that this House takes up the matter of Umeme failing to supply electricity to Ugandans thereby affecting their economic productivity. We have a committee that can delve into this matter in detail – [Mr Sseggona: “Information.”] - I grant you the opportunity. (Interruption)

Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Ariko for raising that issue. First of all, the current outage that Hon. Ariko is pointing out is actually true. We have a challenge in north-eastern and eastern Uganda; there was vandalism that happened on the line which takes power to the eastern and north- eastern regions. Just after Kakira, four pylons were brought down and that caused what Hon. Ariko is talking about. We are putting up those pylons, temporarily, to enable power to flow. We were forced to bring power from Karuma, but the wooden line between Lira and Soroti- Opuyo could not accommodate stable power to enable manufacturing and all the processes in eastern and northern-eastern Uganda. We are only able to take 75 megawatts from Karuma through that transmission line and that power has to be shared by the whole region. 75 megawatts are not adequate to run all the industries in eastern Uganda. That explains the rationing of electricity. What is the ministry doing about it? There are a number of measures that the ministry has put in place: 1. To remedy the vandalised transmission lines. We are putting temporary structures to enable that line to continue taking power to eastern and north-eastern Uganda. 2. On the transmission of power from Karuma, one of our agencies, Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) is working on the interconnectors to improve the power flow and increase the power that can be transmitted from Karuma, which is now producing about 300 megawatts. If the line is improved, that would enable us to have a double-circuit which would enable us to provide power from Karuma to the eastern and north-eastern region. The areas which are affected are Tororo, Mbale, Soroti and Moroto and we are working to improve the power supply in those areas. The question on Umeme -

Can we have a response for the whole country, not specifically Soroti? At least the Soroti representative has raised it. Honourable minister, I know you are an engineer but tell us in a way that our voters will understand, that you are going to restore power and load-shedding is going to reduce. Clarification?

Honourable minister, I need an answer to what has been asked. What we have got is not what our people understand. You may give a response through action. How do you work on the issue of load shedding? It is not only in Soroti or whichever place. Even here in Parliament, I can tell you that now we are on a generator. We get load-shedding in this building over three times a day and we do not know what is happening. What about Soroti which is far away or Kabale, which is like out of this country? (Laughter) We need a response to that through action.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On 14 December 2021, I raised a matter of land grabbing in Soroti District concerning Soroti Golf Club that has been grabbed from the owners yet this is public land measuring up to 40 acres. Madam Speaker, the land has been grabbed by a company called Pilgrim and they have subdivided it into two: Pilgrim and Shinda Holding Limited -

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the protection. The same Pilgrim Company, with Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) in a kaveera, duped the President and they are now planting trees on that land. Madam Speaker, Soroti Golf Club is now being guarded by soldiers all over that place. You cannot reach there and they have started construction of a hotel. Anybody who passes on that land is arrested. Madam Speaker, on 14 August, I laid on the Floor of Parliament documents and you ably referred this matter to the Attorney-General to follow up and report to this Parliament. Just like my Leader of the Opposition said, there is a lot of backlog; the Attorney-General has never reported back to this Parliament. Madam Speaker, my prayer is that you refer this matter to the relevant committee of Parliament so that it can be investigated and they report back to this House. Thank you.

Honourable member, I do not want you to bring your Soroti issues here. On this issue, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, there was an aspect of the golf course land that was raised in this House and the Attorney-General was supposed to handle.

Honourable minister, can you make a phone call to Soroti and give me feedback? That is Government land.

I am going to allow you time after this report has been presented. As I have said before, we will continue with the matters of national importance after PAC Central has presented their report. So, the minister can go and confirm the issues about Soroti Golf Course and Apaa because we need security in Apaa.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you, for the opportunity and also invite you to ask Hon. Kabanda from Kasambya to keep quiet. On behalf of the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government), permit me to present the reports after scrutinising the report of the Auditor-General in respect of the health sector and particularly the following institutions - there are quite a number, but as you guided me, I have prepared an executive summary and the reports have been uploaded onto the Members’ iPads. But before I proceed, permit me to lay, on the Table, the minutes as required by the rules in respect of all the proceedings of the committee. I humbly do so. Permit me also to lay, on the Table, as a matter of procedure and constitutional requirement, one of the annexures to the committee report. It is a report of the CID as tasked by the committee in respect to the existence of coffee shops established by the Office of the Prime Minister and a private partner, Inspire Africa Limited, in selected districts; which the committee established to be non-existent despite the expenditure of Shs 20 billion. I lay the report of the CID on the Table. With respect to the regional referral hospitals and other specialised health votes. I now proceed with the summary as guided. Article 163(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda mandates the Auditor- General to submit to Parliament an annual report on all accounts audited by him for the financial year immediately preceding. The Constitution further, under Article 163(5), requires Parliament to debate and consider the report and take appropriate action within six months after the submission of the report by the Auditor-General. The report of the Auditor-General on regional and national referral hospitals for the F iscal Y ear 2021/2022 was presented to the House on the 19th of February and referred to the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) for consideration. In accordance with Rule 174 of the Rules of Procedure of the House, the Committee considered these reports and proceeded to satisfy itself, among others, that – (a) the monies appropriated by Parliament and disbursed were legally available for, and applicable to, the service or purpose for which they have been applied and charged; (b) the expenditure conforms to the authority, which governs it; and (c) re-appropriation has been made in accordance with the provisions of the rules of a competent authority; and (d) the intended value of the expended monies was attained. Scope The report covers audit queries contained in the report of the Auditor-General for the period ended 30th June 2022, in respect of the national and regional referral hospitals, namely: 1) Mulago National Referral Hospital; 2) Mulago National Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital; 3) Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital; and 4) Kawempe, Kiruddu, and China-Uganda Friendship Hospitals. Others include; Entebbe Hospital, Mubende, Kabale, Jinja, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua and Hoima Regional Referral Hospitals. In addition, the report further covers findings on other specialised health-related institutions and votes, as well as programs such as the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

Thank you. Can we first adopt the one on the hospitals before we move to the reports on the ministries? Thank you, honourable committee chairperson, for the good and exhaustive report presented. When you look at what the honourable committee chairperson has presented, you notice that the issues raised are that the hospitals are acting against Section 22 of the Public Finance Management Act; that is mischarge of expenditure. You can only do a mischarge after getting an approval from the Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ ST). The unauthorised loan deductions from the staff emoluments is criminal. Imagine if it is you whose money is being deducted without your authorisation. Then there is the issue of late releases, which we talked about the other day. It is because of so many factors. Either you submit your supplementary budgets very late, and we release money late, which is not correct, or you start the procurement late. That late release of funds is really dangerous. There is understaffing in hospitals. I am happy that the interns have been deployed because that should help us. The accumulation of domestic arrears, largely attributed to inadequate budget releases is dangerous. Why don’t you accumulate receivables? You put the people who have supplied you at a disadvantage. They accrue interest and go as far as litigation. We need to make sure we spend within what we have. If the institution has made a commitment, release the money. This is because it affects the economy, the supplier and everybody. The lapse in management of land has been talked about a lot. I am glad we made a resolution that there will be no transfer of Government land without the authorisation of this House. The stock-outs and non-delivery of medical supplies – you go to a hospital and cannot even get Panadol. When you go to a referral hospital, you find nothing; not even a scanner. When you go to Soroti Hospital, you find it smelling from the gate. Why? It is terrible! There are issues in these hospitals. Can we hear from the minister? We are not going to debate a lot on these reports because they are straightforward.

It is in the report. He was reading an executive summary. If you are talking about Soroti or Lira, they have their own reports. What he read was generic.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. When I was growing up, my mother and dad could cool tea for me to take. I do not know whether that is what Inspire Africa was doing. When it came to porridge, my mother could tell me: “Down there, it is hot. You need to first cool it down.” I could get tea from the shop, mix and take it and I have not got any disease. I do not know how special this programme was. We have problems in Gweri. We have problems at Soroti Hospital. I do not have a technical school in Gweri. I do not have secondary schools in Gweri – and we are playing around with these things! How I wish we could appropriate for bigger things that could benefit our people. I thank you.

Maybe, to be specific, that is Soroti Flying School.

Yes. At the moment, I think it is called Soroti Flying School. Madam Speaker, I see a recommendation which is as simple as this, “…the Government should avail more funds for the operation and maintenance of infrastructure and the flying school.” The Government should make this school more vibrant to give us more pilots to develop our aviation industry so that it goes in tandem with the aviation industry of Uganda. As we increase planes, our schools should also be advanced. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

10238 STANDIN G C O M M I T T E E R E PORT During our interaction with the Ministry of Local Government, the committee was informed that the budget provision for ex- gratia and honoraria for local government leaders has fallen short over the last five years and that is from Financial Year 2018/2019 to FY 2022/2023 leading to an outstanding amount of Shs 9,074,258,232. These are the monies that should be paid and these leaders are struggling but they are not receiving that money. (ii) The committee also noted that in the current Financial Year 2023/2024, no provision or IPF was sent to the local governments on ex-gratia and honoraria, amounting to Uganda Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and on honoraria amounting to Shs 48.19 billion as required for the ex-gratia and honoraria. We have given a breakdown, you can look through page six where you will find we have 70,500 LCI and 10,585 LCII - they need this financial year Shs 9.7 billion for their payment and it is not catered for. You will look through and it gives you a total of Shs 48 billion we have provided the details in the table. The committee also looked at the arrears; we have given a breakdown on page seven and the breakdown we have provided covers only the cities and the districts that we visited, but when you look at the annex, you will find a detailed breakdown of how much money was not sent to which entity, giving the total of the Shs 9 billion I talked about. Madam Speaker, we made observations on page 8 that you will look through, and the observations, if I may just run through very quickly: (i) There were figures that were not correlating with the figures provided by the minutes of local government and what we found in the field. (ii) We also received a list of the arrears from the Ministry of Local Government that were submitted. The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development received this list and committed that they would include this in the 3 per cent supplementary since they had not included it in the budget which is a big mistake. (iii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development also acknowledged the omission of ex-gratia and honoraria in the budget for 2023- 2024. Recommendation (i) The Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the affected local government entities should harmonise the arrears for ex-gratia and honoraria; and (ii) The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to expedite the verification process of the ex-gratia arrears and honoraria to ensure that the requisite funds are provided for in the supplementary budget in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act. Terms of reference two and three, I will just give a summary. Here, our intention as a committee was to establish the availability of land in the different districts from where the cities were created and also to look at their level of preparedness as far as the relocation is concerned. We went to Soroti District where we found they prepared a council resolution; it is important to inform Members that Soroti had gone a step ahead and started construction after they received Shs 1 billion from the Ministry of Finance and this financial year they expected to receive an additional Shs 800 million. However, the other nine districts of Gulu, Arua, Masaka, Mbarara, Hoima, Jinja, Mbale, and Kabarole: all these are the cities which were created apart from Soroti. All the others have [Mr Mapenduzi] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

10239 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 not received a cent despite the appeal from the Ministry of Local Government that each is given Shs 1 billion. So, I have given a summary that includes how much land is available from every entity, and council resolution and we have also attached the necessary documents and proof of land ownership to show that these entities are ready to receive the money to start construction to relocate but the resources have not been provided. I have given a summary of all these other entities. However, I would like to take us - without going through each entity, because every entity has land, but it is important to mention two other entities, that is Kabarole and Jinja, these are entities that have gone ahead using their locally generated revenue to put structures for the new districts. However, all these projects have stalled because their local revenue is continuously dwindling because most of the cities took over most of the viable local revenue sources. Much as Jinja and Kabarole started construction, they cannot continue now because they do not have the resources. They need to have the money given to them. Now, permit me to proceed to general observations and recommendations to conclude on that so I do not need to repeat those other different entities. The committee made the following general observations: (i) The MoFPED noted the funds for the relocation of the districts displaced by the new cities were being disbursed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the availability of land and readiness to utilise the funds asked for. I mentioned only Soroti received this money. (ii) MoLG has not yet issued clear guidelines for the sharing of assets between the new cities and the affected entities. This is particularly because the conflicts in those local governments are unbearable. The cities and the districts are not working harmoniously because they are struggling to prove who is more powerful. (iii) Whereas the districts and the cities were coexisting, there were cases of conflicts arising from the distribution and sharing of assets as well as the location of the district headquarters. (iv) Following delays by the Government to provide start-up funds, local government through the respective council made efforts to establish new headquarters, find resources, and set up structures. However, construction works for most of the new headquarters have stalled, just as I said, due to a lack of funds; (v) Councils of the different local governments had resolved on the new locations for the district headquarters. However, there are petitions challenging some of them. (vi) Some of the districts are clinging, and this is important, Madam Speaker, Some of the districts are clinging on to assets located within the cities, especially those that were constructed using, I would call it purportedly, local revenue. (vii) Many districts are disposing of property within the cities as they prepare to relocate to frustrate the handover of these properties to the new cities. Some districts even plan to sell off or let out district headquarters. For example, the districts of Masaka and Lira are threatening to dispose of district council halls or administration blocks in the city and use the money for the construction of their new headquarters. (viii) There are disagreements between the district and the city land boards whereby some district land boards refuse to hand over files and are still carrying out transactions on land outside their areas of jurisdiction. For example, in

10240 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT Lira, there is already a functional Lira city land board, but the district land board is still receiving applications and processing titles for lands in the city when it is actually not within their areas of jurisdiction. So we gave the example of Lira and Arua and the other entities. (ix) The Ministry of Public Service ban on recruitment as strained service delivery on the cities and the districts from where the cities were carved. (x) Cities and districts are constrained with office space since the two entities are sharing the same premises. For example, Arua City, for instance, recruited 406 staff but lacked space to accommodate them. So some of these staff are sitting under trees. (xi) Lack of adequate laws or guidelines for the operationalisation of the cities. Whereas a city is the equivalent of a district as outlined under Section 4 of the Local Government Act CAP 243 as amended, there are several gaps that affect the operation of the cities. For instance, a city division should be treated at the level of a municipality, but currently, in line with Local Government Act CAP 243, Section 4(b), they are still treated at the level of subcounties. (xii) Local Governments have continuously been faced with the issue of late releases and returns. This is important, Madam Speaker. Late releases and return of funds to the consolidated fund. For example, in the Financial Year 2022/2023, Arua City, Gulu City, Mbale City, Mbale District, and others received over Shs 3 billion far above what they had planned for by 19 of June. All this money went back within two weeks. To throw more light when we asked them, they said this was money they had not planned for. They had not budgeted for it, so they could not explain how the monies came. But these are monies considered returned back to Treasury; (xiii) New subcounties have continued depending on the mother subcounties in as far as road funds are concerned since 2021 without having their own allocation as required by law. (xiv) Continuous recentralisation of decentralised services such as decision concerning collection and remittance of local revenue and procurement. General committee recommendations The committee recommends the following: (1) In addition to the supplementary for ex-gratia and honoraria, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide funds in line with Section 25 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 to cater for the following as indicated below - these are areas we consider very important, as a committee. a. Vehicles for city mayors and district chairpersons. These are political heads of the districts and some of them have ended up grabbing vehicles for school inspections and for health centres, including ambulances, because they lack means of transport. The committee recommends that Shs 35.2 billion be provided so that they can have means of transport. b. Relocation of the 10 cities. In addition to what has been given to Soroti, all the other nine entities should also be given Shs 1 billion each as a start-up for putting structures. They would relocate in phases. c. The committee recommends that Shs 2 billion be provided to review the decentralisation policy because there are a lot of gaps. We need to make sure that we strengthen and deepen decentralisation and the best way is to have a review. The ministry requires the Shs 2 billion to undertake this process. [The Speaker] SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT

That will be discrimination. How can Soroti get Shs 1.8 billion when Gulu has not got even one?

Honourable members for Soroti, leave my minister.

10101 Thursday, 31 August 2023 Members, kindly attend plenary. If you are unable to, let us be informed of the other obligations that you have. We are all human. So, I expect you to follow that up. I am happy that the Government Chief Whip, as instructed yesterday, did what we told him to do. I thank you, Government Chief Whip. I am still waiting for a copy from the Chief Opposition Whip on the actions he has taken as per yesterday’s instruction. We will continue to monitor attendance. As we have said before, when you are coming in, please log in and when going out, please log out. That way, we will be able to know whether you attended or not. If you are not in the House – you know, attendance is always displayed. I heard on a certain radio – I think in Soroti or somewhere - where they said: “But these Members always say they are busy. When the list came from Parliament, they were also not in Parliament. So, where are they?” (Laughter) The voters see what we are doing. When you see Hon. Alobo seated there, it is because the voters always want to see that she is there. Honourable members, as has always been our tradition in sports, I would like to inform you that this year the East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games will be hosted in Rwanda. I am happy with the participants in all the disciplines because they are training. The only discipline where participants are not training is football yet when it comes to facilitation, the way they want to be facilitated! IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament THIRD SESSION - 24TH SITTING - FIRST MEETING Parliament met at 2.00 p.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My attention has been drawn to the operation by the Ministry of Works and Transport. They are arresting people all over the country who allegedly have materials from the Uganda Railways. The Uganda Railways never reached Karamoja but the tools that might look like items of the Uganda Railways reached Karamoja in the form of ox ploughs, and farm tools. Last week, a team from the Ministry of Works and Transport arrested people from Napak and many other neighbouring districts and took them to Soroti with their tools and ox ploughs. Mr Speaker, I appreciate the work the Ministry of Works is doing in following up on vandalism of government property. However, the extortion happening in the cells in Soroti is alarming. The people who were arrested in Napak reported to me that they were charged a million to Shs 3 million to be released. Those who did not have the money remained in the cells to date. If this operation is happening in the whole country in that manner, then we are encouraging corruption. My prayer is that the Ministry of Works and Transport issues a mechanism on which the proceeds from this operation are managed. The proceeds include cash and those metals. Secondly, the Ministry of Internal Affairs should decentralise this operation. Why would you bring our people to Soroti and when you release them, they lack transport to go back home? How would their people reach them? Those are my prayers.

Thank you. Today, I read in the press the issue of Soroti Golf Club land where the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) wrote to the Government Valuer to value it because they are planning to sell it yet people are protesting. I saw Capt. Mukula on Twitter saying, “Come for help” and all that. I am assigning the Attorney-General to handle that issue and give an update tomorrow. We

9958 THE NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES (CONTROL) BILL, 2023 need to protect this public land. Otherwise, it looks as if it is a deal between a few people and there is a lot of protest in Soroti.

9865 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 17 AUGUST 2023 The committee we run focuses on the promises made by the Government on the Floor of Parliament. I wonder why! We might be rendered a weak committee, yet our performance is fruitful. I think this is the third time I am raising the same matter; why are our reports not given a chance on the Order Paper? Mr Speaker, I still have a challenge in the committee. There is an investigation we are making on the compensation of war victims in Acholi, Teso subregion where we visited - you gave us funds to go for fieldwork because ours is evidence-based, after interfacing. When we went to Lango, Acholi, and Soroti, we saw a number of people that were compensated, but the records were not clear. We are seeking your permission-

9699 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2023 think this is something to worry about and as a country, we need to think of a way forward. Madam Speaker, in the constituency where I come from, you find a number of children moving to school but end on the way. Then we have a number of children who are selling oranges on the Lira Soroti Highway, from morning up to around 10.00 in the night. Some people even at around midnight, you can find them on the way with those trailer guys. I think that there is a need for the ministry to work hand in hand with the local governments and come up with an ordinance or bylaws that will help us to work on this issue of child marriage. There is a need for an ordinance and bylaws. That is the point I wanted to make and thank you.

Thank you once more, Madam Speaker, for this golden opportunity. Yesterday, you tasked me to bring to this House information concerning the Aswa Ranch where a prison officer is dealing in charcoal and no one can access the place. I beg to report to this august House that Aswa Ranch is a Government ranch. In August 2022, about 30,000 acres of land were given to Uganda Prisons Service as an intervention for food security. So far, the Uganda Prisons, under the leadership of Superintendent Gerard Kiwanuka, have cleared about 4,000 hectares, which is under cultivation for maize. Madam Speaker, in the process of clearing such land for cultivation, the trees and bushes, which were there, were equally cleared. Some of the trees and shrubs were taken as firewood to the prisons in the country to help in the cooking for prisoners, and some were used for charcoal. I got in touch with the Commissioner- General, who said that they are not engaged in commercial charcoal burning for sale. Madam Speaker, it should also be noted that this Government intervention, through the Uganda Prisons Service for food security, is not only taking place in Aswa Ranch. We have Odina in Soroti - 900 hectares under cultivation; Bingire in Serere - 700 acres under cultivation; Kumi, 59 acres, Aweyi in Alebtong, 1,700 hectares; Aloi, Ogom, Alebtong, 700 hectares and in total with other areas - about 38,709 hectares are under cultivation for food security of this country by the Uganda Prisons. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much. When we talk about removing the trucks on the roadside, it also includes those trucks that have parked for more than 30 minutes. That is as per Section 58 of the Road Act. You have vehicles that are parked on the roadside like in Kumi, Soroti, Bukedea, Lukaya and everywhere vehicles are parked on the roadside. Let us first adopt today’s resolution so that it becomes a parliamentary document. Leader of the Opposition, do you want to amend the resolution?

9552 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT [The Speaker] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR solution on what should be done. The meeting will be at 8.00 a.m. in my boardroom. The honourable Minister of Local Government communicated to me on the issues of the Local Council system and he wants to be given time to make a presentation. I am happy the minister is here. I also contacted the same minister over a petition from Soroti and he has told me he wants to come with concrete evidence. Before we have the petition presented, he is going to Soroti. We have agreed that on the 20 th , he should be in Soroti and come with all the information before we have that handled. Once again, I would like to thank you. Yes, Anthony?

Madam Speaker, I concur but the statement of the minister could easily be misinterpreted to mean that somebody, probably, could pick a stamp with a stick and stamp on a document and validate it. So, we need to inform all and sundry that nobody has the force of law to use a stamp of an LC I chairperson anywhere. That should be on record, Madam Speaker. Secondly, Madam Speaker, on the Order Paper, you guided on Item No. 3, which is the Soroti Market Vendors’ petition, which you had gladly allowed the honourable member to present. Madam Speaker, you are dealing with politicians-

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest of the Members in thanking the President, for the precise exposition of the State-of-the-Nation Address. I most sincerely thank the President for noting that he is working with people who are not doing the right things and who are giving him wrong figures and wrong advice. I thank him very much although even after noting that, we have not seen him take steps to discipline these human beings who have been giving wrong figures to him – because he came up with very good figures that show that our country is going ahead, yet the technocrats who are occupying some offices under his leadership, are giving him wrong figures and nothing has been done by the leadership. Mr Speaker, I also thank the President, above all, for that tarmac that we have seen on the road from Soroti to Karamoja - I am proud because it passes through my place. It has helped us. We have been hearing about the Government, but we had never seen a tarmac road. We would see it after getting out of those areas of Amuria and Karamoja. While the issue of education is a good point that the President noted, I was disappointed to hear that the students’ loan scheme was scrapped, yet we took a lot of time in this House to work on the law. We spent a lot of money doing benchmarking and we were assured that due diligence was done on this project. We thought it was going to help our poor children because they do not - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Ten months ago, I raised the issue of the Soroti General Referral Hospital Maternity Ward, where there were no delivery beds and the beds that are there are in a dire state, and in the operating theatre, there are no extra lights that are used during operation. Doctors are actually using torches to supplement the lighting there. Even the beds, out of four members that can be operated at the same time, we can only operate two. There are even no curtains to divide the rooms for the two patients. Can I hear from the Rt Hon Prime Minister again, today, about what move you will give to us? Patients are delivering on the floor because of a lack of delivery beds. Thank you.

Mr Speaker and colleagues, before becoming Prime Minister, I was a minister of health in charge of general duties and I went to that hospital four times. So, I know what is in Soroti. I know that the structures need to be revamped. In fact, we want to give you affirmative action for that hospital. However, I was in the theatre; Soroti Hospital can operate four mothers at the same time. The theatre is big enough to do that work. However, if the rate of delivery in Soroti has gone up, we can look for a way of adding more.

Honourable colleagues, we have a programme under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development called Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID). Under USMID, they have constructed roads, which also have street lights and walkways, in Masaka, Mbarara and other areas. So, committee chairman, you will clarify whether you tried to compare with those. They say we cannot compare with UNRA, which is on highways, but we can compare with roads in Masaka, Jinja or Soroti because the roads are the same; same design and by the same Government. The trick is simple – and I know some of you know. On roads, all these contractors you see around have brokers. So, when the entity is developing bill of quantities (BoQs), it makes the BoQs very high and then leaks the estimated cost to the companies. Now, companies start costing, based on the BoQs. So, when they advertise, you find that the companies, which have participated, are costing very highly. It is because they know the BoQs within the entity. Why would a road in KCCA, with the same design, same lights and the same walkways cost three or four times more than a road in Masaka, Soroti or Mbarara? There is a very big problem somewhere and we have to tackle it head-on, whether it means first holding on to some loans or urging the minister to go and even talk to these donors. By the way, they are not donors, but lenders; they like to be called funders, but they give us loans. We have to look into it deeply. I am telling you, it is a shame. There is no way you will defend this before people.

9339 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY , 4 J ULY 2023 years, as large part of the population joins the money economy. The industrialisation drives across the country have brought about positive results. There are eight Government-owned industrial parks, which are operational in Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara and Kasese. The industrial parks in Karamoja and Koboko will soon commence. In addition, there are three industrial parks operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The total number of factories is now 4,008, employing 150,685 Ugandans, largely the youth, who form part of the biggest percentage of our population. This is a reflection of socio-economic transformation. The President emphasised the Parish Development Model that will accelerate socio- economic growth, where 39 per cent of the households in the non-money economy will be moved to the money economy. This approach will organise and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation. His Excellency the President launched a wealth and jobs creation initiative for those who found it difficult to access financing through banks called “ Emyooga .” This initiative has been successful in mobilising, especially the youths and women in the informal sector into productive self-employment by increasing their skills, acquiring equipment and accessing affordable capital. As at the end of December 2022, seed capital amounting to Shs 258 billion had been disbursed to 6,714 Emyooga SACCOs and Shs 1,000,000 to individual beneficiaries. His Excellency the President indicated that tourism has had a significant potential for the economy. The sector has registered key achievements. For example, it employs 1.5 million Ugandans along the entire tourism value chain and contributes 6.7 per cent of the GDP. In the year 2022, Uganda’s national parks hosted 367,869 visitors; leisure and holiday visitors stayed longer and the wildlife populations have increased. These numbers have grown and increased Uganda’s Government’s focus on infrastructure and marketing. The President stressed that social metamorphosis takes place when societies undergo modernisation. In modernised countries, a small percentage of people are involved in agriculture. A country must be supported to move to value addition and manufacturing. Thus, in order to build a knowledge-based economy using advanced scientific knowledge, the President called upon Members of Parliament support to Kiira Motors to get moving so that the production of automobiles becomes part of the economy. The President commented on the Anti- Homosexuality Bill and commended the Parliament of Uganda for passing it. He raised the substantive points that should be used to explain Uganda’s position. His Excellency the President outlined the economic priorities of the Government in the next financial year, which include peace and security of persons and property, effective implementation of PDM and Emyooga , acquisition of right-of-way for Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), investing in small-scale solar- powered irrigation to address climate change and food security, constructing transmission lines and power substations, maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads, development of industrial parks, support medical schools and scientific-based research, expediting the infrastructure of oil and gas, capitalising UDB and UDC and supporting ICT. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for steering the NRM government to expand the economic base of the country and a strong foundation that has been built for rapid economic growth and socio-economic transformation. I beg to move.

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

9339 THE ELEVENTH P ARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY , 4 J ULY 2023 years, as large part of the population joins the money economy. The industrialisation drives across the country have brought about positive results. There are eight Government-owned industrial parks, which are operational in Namanve, Luzira, Bweyogerere, Soroti, Mbale, Jinja, Mbarara and Kasese. The industrial parks in Karamoja and Koboko will soon commence. In addition, there are three industrial parks operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The total number of factories is now 4,008, employing 150,685 Ugandans, largely the youth, who form part of the biggest percentage of our population. This is a reflection of socio-economic transformation. The President emphasised the Parish Development Model that will accelerate socio- economic growth, where 39 per cent of the households in the non-money economy will be moved to the money economy. This approach will organise and deliver public and private sector interventions for wealth creation and employment generation. His Excellency the President launched a wealth and jobs creation initiative for those who found it difficult to access financing through banks called “ Emyooga .” This initiative has been successful in mobilising, especially the youths and women in the informal sector into productive self-employment by increasing their skills, acquiring equipment and accessing affordable capital. As at the end of December 2022, seed capital amounting to Shs 258 billion had been disbursed to 6,714 Emyooga SACCOs and Shs 1,000,000 to individual beneficiaries. His Excellency the President indicated that tourism has had a significant potential for the economy. The sector has registered key achievements. For example, it employs 1.5 million Ugandans along the entire tourism value chain and contributes 6.7 per cent of the GDP. In the year 2022, Uganda’s national parks hosted 367,869 visitors; leisure and holiday visitors stayed longer and the wildlife populations have increased. These numbers have grown and increased Uganda’s Government’s focus on infrastructure and marketing. The President stressed that social metamorphosis takes place when societies undergo modernisation. In modernised countries, a small percentage of people are involved in agriculture. A country must be supported to move to value addition and manufacturing. Thus, in order to build a knowledge-based economy using advanced scientific knowledge, the President called upon Members of Parliament support to Kiira Motors to get moving so that the production of automobiles becomes part of the economy. The President commented on the Anti- Homosexuality Bill and commended the Parliament of Uganda for passing it. He raised the substantive points that should be used to explain Uganda’s position. His Excellency the President outlined the economic priorities of the Government in the next financial year, which include peace and security of persons and property, effective implementation of PDM and Emyooga , acquisition of right-of-way for Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), investing in small-scale solar- powered irrigation to address climate change and food security, constructing transmission lines and power substations, maintenance of both tarmac and murram roads, development of industrial parks, support medical schools and scientific-based research, expediting the infrastructure of oil and gas, capitalising UDB and UDC and supporting ICT. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to thank His Excellency the President, Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for steering the NRM government to expand the economic base of the country and a strong foundation that has been built for rapid economic growth and socio-economic transformation. I beg to move.

9348 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION The second issue is innovation. As a deputy chairperson of science, technology and innovation, I wish to thank His Excellency for his emphasis on science and innovation. We have just been visiting the universities in Gulu, Lira and Soroti and the scientists are doing great work and these need to be supported. They are producing a lot of prototypes. What we need is to involve the private sector to commercialise some of these prototypes. We are looking at a pathogenic economy. We looked at a number of plants - we went to Gulu University and found out that they are producing a number of medicines, where Dr Ogwang was involved. So sooner or later, if we support - luckily enough - (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you very much. Indeed her spirit will live on. Woman Representative, Soroti?

9119 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 Madam Speaker, Shs 2.24 trillion has been allocated for food security, irrigation, climate change mitigation, value chain development, agricultural research and disease/pest control, among others. Supporting private sector growth Madam Speaker, the private sector has been directly supported through industrial parks’ development, promoting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating tourism. Industrial development and investment Madam Speaker, eight Government-owned industrial parks are currently operational at Namanve, Jinja, Bweyogerere, Mbale, Soroti, Mbarara and Kasese and Luzira. In addition, there are three industrial parks developed under a public-private partnership arrangement at Kapeeka, Mukono and Buikwe. The Uganda Investment Authority has acquired 12 square miles for industrial development, provided by various local governments in 18 zones across the country. Uganda’s global reputation as an investment destination has been boosted significantly in the recent past. Uganda has been named the No. 1 investment destination in East Africa by AIM Global 2023 at Dubai. In addition, our country has been ranked among the top 10 African countries for the best investment destinations in Africa by the African Development Bank. It is now also ranked the first in East Africa for capital market growth by Absa Bank. SME development Madam Speaker, SMEs in the manufacturing and export sectors will be supported with US$ 20 million under the Investment for Industrial Transformation and Employment Trust (INVITE Trust), which will provide grants and concessional credit to qualifying SMEs. These SMEs will access new and innovative financing products with long-term financing of up to 15 years. This intervention aims at increasing Ugandan manufactured export products, generating direct and indirect jobs for more than 200,000 workers and safeguarding existing jobs for 530,000 workers. Madam Speaker, an allocation of Shs 209.28 billion has been provided through the INVITE project next year. Tourism Uganda has increasingly been recognised as a tourism destination and is ranked by CNN as one of the top 10 tourist destinations in the World. We will, therefore, promote domestic and inbound tourism, including the use of digital platforms. Uganda will also be marketed as a global and regional centre for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE). Hospitality standards will be enforced through the licensing, grading and classification of tourism facilities. Shs 249 billion has been allocated for the promotion of tourism. Madam Speaker, all the private sector interventions I have detailed above have been allocated Shs 2.37 trillion. Building human capital Madam Speaker, Uganda has registered visible improvements in healthcare outcomes, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. On average, a Ugandan now lives longer – at 64 years, up from 53 years just as recently as 2015 – attains more years of schooling and enjoys a higher income per capita than ever before. Let me repeat this because it is interesting, especially to me who is working day and night to make sure that the youth and the sick are helped to recover: Uganda has registered visible improvements in healthcare outcomes, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. On average, a Ugandan now lives longer

9124 BUDGET SPEECH, 2023 In order to enhance good governance, Parliament’s legislative and oversight role will be strengthened to ensure the proper use of public funds, among others. Madam Speaker, you faulted me on something; our not attending parliamentary committees, but I will comment on it in the conclusion. Furthermore, we will ensure compliance with rules and regulations in public financial management, and also implement Parliament’s recommendations on the use of public funds. To improve efficiency and effectiveness in Government, we will further automate financial management systems. These include: the Programme Budgeting System for budget preparation, monitoring and reporting; the Integrated Financial Management System for budget execution, the Human Capital Management for personnel and payroll management, e-Government Procurement, e-Passport and the one border posting, among others. The Integrated Bank of Projects has recently been re-launched to improve Public Investment Management, including the tracking of project performance. Projects whose implementation has been unduly delayed without sound reason will be removed from the Public Investment Plan. The rationalisation of Government agencies will commence in the Financial Year 2024/2025. In addition, the Government has stopped the creation of additional administrative units and agencies. To enhance access to justice, the target is to reduce court case backlog by about 6,000 cases by the end of June 2024 from the 50,000 outstanding cases. A total of 115 districts already have complete frontline criminal and civil justice service delivery points comprising a police station, court, prison, prosecution services and legal aid services, among others. The target is to have 119 districts with justice service delivery points by the end of June 2024. The construction of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal buildings in Kampala and the Soroti and Rukungiri High Court buildings will be completed. In addition, the High Court buildings in Alebtong, Budaka, Lyantonde and the Magistrate Court buildings in Karenga, Patongo and Abim will also be completed. Madam Speaker, the functions, which include enactment of legislation, oversight and accountability role, will further be strengthened and in this regard, the construction of the Parliamentary Chambers is on-going. Security, governance, the Legislature and the administration of justice have been allocated Shs 9.1 trillion next financial year, up from Shs 8.1 trillion this financial year. Fiscal Strategy for Financial Year 2023/2024 and the medium term The fiscal strategy for the next financial year prioritises enhancing revenue collection, rationalisation of public expenditure and ensuring long-term debt sustainability. This will reduce reliance on external financing for socio-economic transformation. Therefore, the fiscal strategy will focus on the following: 1. Continued effective implementation of the Domestic Revenue Mobilisation Strategy; 2. Repurposing the national budget to achieve a high multiplier effect of Government interventions on the economy, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Government programmes and projects; 3. Mobilising external concessional loans and utilising non-concessional loans for projects with high economic and financial returns; 4. Limiting domestic borrowing to an average of 2.2 per cent of GDP in the short to medium term, to avoid crowding out the private sector through rising interest rates; 5. Reducing the budget deficit to within a maximum limit of 5 per cent of GDP, and

9088 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION When the NRM took over in 1986, the economy depended on a few cash crops, namely, coffee, cotton, tea and tobacco. Since then, the economy has become bigger and more diversified. Some of the agricultural products, which were only for consumption at home such as maize, beans, matooke (bananas), fish, milk, etcetera, have become commercial, contributing to household incomes. Other crops that have joined the traditional cash crops include sunflower, from which we now make edible oil, palm oil trees, vanilla, avocado, oranges and mangoes, which are raw materials for the agro-processing factories. We now produce enough sugar - in fact, now, we have got surplus which is being exported to our neighbours – steel products, cement, other building materials such as tiles at Kapeeka Industrial Park, mineral extraction and beneficiation, etcetera. We shall soon produce oil and gas and the infrastructure development to enable - this is currently under construction, including the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, power and water infrastructure, and Kabale International Airport. Uganda has a vibrant economy and workforce that is transforming our economy into a digital one. There are many businesses and financial transactions taking place within the country, using the Internet and other online avenues. This is not only improving efficiency but also creating many jobs for the youth. The Fiscal Performance Domestic revenue, in Financial Year 2022/2023, is estimated at Shs 25.55 trillion. This is about 13.7 per cent of GDP. Next Financial Year 2023/2024, we plan to collect Shs 29.67 trillion as domestic revenue. Through our strategy to raise revenue, the Government is planning to raise at least 18 per cent of GDP in the next five years. When we achieve this target, we shall be able to reduce our reliance on borrowing to finance a larger share of our budget. We must avoid this problem of not being able to pay our debts, by increasing what we collect from taxes and other sources of domestic revenue such as the loyalties from our mineral development. Some countries are paying more than 50 per cent of their collection, in taxes, to service debts. We should avoid falling into this debt trap. Therefore, in addition to collecting more revenue domestically, we should also not spend what we do not have. To achieve this, the Government decided to rationalise Government departments to reduce duplication and wastage of taxpayers’ money. The Ministry of Public Service is finalising the implementation plan for this decision. Industrialisation Our industrialisation drive is bearing fruit with many factories being set up. We have got eight Government-owned industrial parks that are currently operational. These include: 1. Kampala Industrial Park and the Business Park at Namanve with 125 companies operational; 144 companies under the construction stage, and 106 companies at the planning stage, giving a total of 375 factories or companies; 2. Luzira Industrial Park with 11 companies operational; 3. Bweyogerere Industrial Park with eight companies; 4. Soroti Industrial Park with two companies operational and five companies at the construction stage; 5. Tian Shan Mobile Park with 16 companies that are operational while four are under construction stage; 6. Jinja Industrial and Business Park with one company for assembling electric buses is operational;

9093 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 My people have mixed up my papers but I will manage them. They have put page 21 before 20. Let me read it the way it is. They will sort it out. Here, they are saying districts of Buhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kamwengye, and Kanungu. They are talking about irrigation and saying, as a result, 2,373 acres have been added to the area under irrigation enabling 14,961 farmers to produce cabbages, tomatoes, apples, onions, pineapples, watermelons, green pepper, etc. They are still talking about irrigation. The following medium-scale irrigation schemes have been completed: Ngenge 808 hectares - Honourable Members of Parliament, get to know these things. These people may say “completed” when it is not. So, this is an opportunity for you to help them. We have: 1. Ngenge in Sebei - 808 hectares irrigated; 2. Rwengaju - 116 hectares; 3. Tochi - 500 hectares; 4. Mubuku II - 480 hectares; 5. Doho II - 1,000 hectares; 6. Olweny - 600 hectares and so on. Communal Valley Tanks The Government has constructed 44 communal valley tanks in Nabilatuk, Kotido, Amudat, Kaabong, Karenga, Soroti, Butebo etc. This has created a storage capacity of 6.6 billion litres serving 89,000 livestock. This is where they have mixed up. They put page 20 after page 21 but this is not the end of the world. (Laughter) Ekitatta muyima- ffe abaganda, tulina eddagala ly’ebizibu bino. Awo wengambila nti kasita obeera n’obulamu, ensobi zingenda kutelera. These people put page 21 before page 20. Somehow you can combine them. There has been a major disruption to transportation arising from the damage of Katonga Bridge which was washed away by floods. The floods also led to the eroding of wetland vegetation and gardens in the upstream parts of the catchment. This flooding was caused by a dam breach along the four- kilometer stretch of the Kalungu- Gomba Road in Bugomola Village, Lwabenge Subcounty in Kalungu District. The water had progressively built up on one side of the road due to blocked culverts, creating a damming effect. This created a massive force beyond the capacity of the road, creating a dam breach, which led to a sudden release of a large volume of water that moved downstream the Katonga River. As the flood wave moved downstream with a lot of papyrus and gardens causing significant damage to infrastructure. The interventions to address the problem of floods involve the protection of water catchments and the general environment so that they perform their function of storing and releasing water safely, even when there is increased rainfall. Regular maintenance of water bodies and rivers so that they perform their water storage and conveyance function. Demarcation and protection of lake shores, riverbanks and wetlands. To limit encroachment by settlements, construction of water storage facilities, agricultural activities and other developments. Strengthening of the early warning systems and enforcement of the water and environmental laws at all levels. People who damage the environment, do so at their own risk. Have we not seen enough examples? Nantabulirwa yasabala bwa bbumba . That is what we say in our language here. “The one who does not listen to advice insisted on using a clay boat on the lake and drowned in the lake”. Somebody made a boat from clay and people told him that clay cannot make a boat, do not do it but he could not listen. He made a clay boat, put it in the lake and drowned there. And that is how our people here in Buganda got a proverb, Nantabulirwa yasabala bwa bbumba . We tell people that please - in the book of Genesis- Ate bino bya Katonda - this is now

Thank you, Mr Speaker. On 3 May, the Rt Hon. Speaker directed that the Minister for the Presidency brings a statement and reports on the behaviour of RDCs and RCCs in this country. That statement was supposed to be brought here on 17 May, which was last Wednesday. Given that Soroti is at it again and the RCC, together with notable men, are organising a second Women’s Day celebration, are we proceeding well if the matters raised in this august House are not followed up and

Mr Speaker, reading from where I had stopped, the staff of State House provide the necessary logistical and technical support for efficient and effective operations of the Presidency. State House, in turn, provides the necessary facilitation for the staff to carry out their responsibilities effectively. This is the mandate which informs the budgetary allocations across the various items. For instance, to explain what has been in the media as to whether the President, in State House, consumes Shs 500 million, we want to clarify that the expenditure on this electricity consumption is addressed to Entebbe State House, Nakasero State Lodge, the Vice- President’s residence and 23 upcountry state lodges distributed in the various parts of the country including Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Bardege in Gulu, Arua, Masindi, Luwero, Kyankwanzi, Mubende, Fort Portal, Kisozi, Masaka, Bushenyi, Mbarara, Kabale, Kisoro, Kapchorwa, Ngoma, Kawumu, Mayuge, and Buvuma and five administrative office blocks that support State House and many other forms of infrastructure. In the media, there has also been a discussion as to whether the President spends Shs 350 million per year to buy clothing. Our President is one of the smartest presidents according to us who see him regularly. I just want to clarify that the item that appears under the State House Budget on beddings, clothing and footwear is meant to cover the protective gear for support staff, beddings for the state lodges, which I have read, the curtains, the various linens for furniture and State House functions as well as uniforms for staff as need arises. The categories of staff include drivers, housekeepers, caterers, kitchen staff, cleaners and the regular office staff. The State House also supports skilling programmes where you have seen young people who are skilled in various vocational skills and it usually provides uniforms. Therefore, this is to dispel the misinformation that the budget caters for clothing the President. Rather, it facilitates all these functions that I have explained. I could go on and on but that is the point I wanted to make, Mr Speaker. I hope this information clarifies the issues to do with budgeting for State House and states proper the record on the Hansard of this House. I want to appeal to all of us that we should always desist from raising sensational and unsubstantiated information, which misleads the public. I beg to move, Mr Speaker, and I thank you. (Mr Ssemujju rose_)

I put the question that Shs 56,011,281,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 307: Kabale University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 308: Soroti University

I put the question that Shs 25,125,972,000 be provided for as recurrent expenditure for Vote 308: Soroti University for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 309: Gulu University

I put the question that Shs 15,648,364,000 be provided for under Vote 410: Mbale Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 411: Soroti Regional Referral Hospital

I put the question that Shs 9,890,170,000 be provided for under Vote 411: Soroti Regional Referral Hospital as recurrent expenditure for Financial Year 2023/2024.

8764 BUDGETARY PROPOSALS & ESTIMATES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/2024 Vote 302: Mbarara University – Shs 3,954,706,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University – Shs 3,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Shs – 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Shs – 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University – Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Shs 5,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 311: Law Development Centre – Shs 4,782,560,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute – Shs 1,320,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University – Shs 2,229,372,000 Vote 401: Mulago National Referral Hospital – Shs 16,528,858,000 Vote 402: Butabika Hospital – Shs 2,513,373,000

Honourable mem - bers, the point has been taken. Let us proceed with referral hospitals. 1. Vote 405: Gulu Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 2. Vote 406: Hoima Hospital - Shs 2,620,000,000 3. Vote 407: Jinja Hospital - Shs 3,642,471,000 4. Vote 408: Kabale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 5. Vote 409: Masaka Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 6. Vote 410: Mbale Hospital - Shs 120,000,000 7. Vote 411: Soroti Hospital - Shs 4,120,000,000

How do you know that you have a vehicle, land or other assets? You need to have an asset register that is updated regularly. When you dispose of an asset, it must be reflected in the asset register. So, some of the things are a problem. There is also the issue of poor local revenue collection. You will find that collections are too little in most of these local governments, yet at the same time, that is the money supposed to be used for most of these projects. However, at the same time, these people collect Non- Tax Revenue (NTR) but the finance ministry takes it. When the local governments ask for money, they are not given. We really have a problem on this with the finance ministry because it takes long to release funds. You find that garbage in Soroti is too much but you cannot even provide them with just one truck to collect the garbage, yet they have collected funds, given to you but you cannot send back the money. The local governments need to improve on capacity building of their members; people working with them. The Parish Development Model has been taken there but it is like a white elephant. The money is not being utilised; it is just given out. I think our people are making accountability. Payroll management and the accounting officers that we have are still a problem. If we have accounting officers that are not performing, why don’t we sack them? Even as Members of Parliament, when we do not perform, we are removed, not so? However, we have accounting officers who are not performing. They transfer them from Amuria to Bukedea, Masaka and Kikoni. You are simply recycling them and taking the vice from one district to the other. How shall we improve? So, there is that problem. We want these accounting officers to be removed. I remember an accounting officer who was very good. Now, because he was good, he is now a Member of Parliament. We cannot afford to have accounting officers who are not performing and you keep recycling them. At the end of the day, the vice goes through the whole country. Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, we need action on accounting officers. It will be a big surprise from the finance ministry that we have fired these accounting officers. Clerk, can we have that report uploaded for Members to be able to read? Debate is open but let us start with Mbarara, the worst performing district.

Madam Speaker, as my sister has said, we have a big problem with the issue of structures in the cities. The structures have not been effected up to now. Secondly, the cities are still operating within the budgets of the former municipalities. We curved out a number of parishes into the cities, but it is very unfortunate that up to now, the cities are running using the budgets of the former municipalities. In Soroti City, we are still borrowing graders from the district to grade our roads. Madam Speaker, you rightly said it here that when you pass by the streets of Soroti, especially the main market, you find that the skips are like anthills. We do not have skips up to now. You wonder where the problem is. Soroti City collects money like other cities do. The money is sent to the Centre and our people request for the money, but the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and Ministry of Local Government take time to give this money back to the cities for operations. For instance, if money is requisitioned on the 30 th of August, it will come on the 30 th of September. During that time, what should we use for running of the city? I thank you.

Yes, Madam Speaker. On Tuesday, 2 May 2023, the country received the sad news of the passing on of Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, a Member of Parliament for Oyam North County since 2016 and a member of the Lango Parliamentary Group. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Engola Macodwogo was born on 12 October 1958 to the late Rwot (Jago) Nassan Engola and Ketula Engola of Awangi in Iceme, Oyam District. The late Okello Charles Engola was the grandson of Rwot Olong Adilo and great-grandson of Rwot Olwa Abelli of Iceme Village. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola attended Atura Common Primary School from 1967 to 1973. He attended Soroti Senior Secondary School from 1974 to 1978. Hon. Charles Engola, attended Kampala International University from the year 2007 to 2010 and awarded a Bachelor of Development Studies. In 2013, he acquired a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Management from Kampala International University. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo joined the army in 1980 at the rank of private. He was later promoted to the rank of Major and appointed the Commanding Officer-501 Brigade based in Opit, Gulu. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and maintained as a Commanding Officer 501 Brigade. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of colonel and retired from the army. Madam Speaker, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola joined politics in the year 2006 and was elected the LC V Apac District till when Oyam District was created. From the year 2011 to 2016, he was the LC V Chairperson of Oyam. While from the year 2016 to 2021, Col (Rtd) Charles Engola was elected the Member of Parliament for Oyam North County and in the same period, he served as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs. From 2021 to the time of his demise, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was the Minister of State for Gender, Labour and Social Development (Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations). Madam Speaker, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo was married to Mrs Joyce Okello Engola and they were blessed with children; Sharon Agweng Okello, Samuel Engola Jr, Daniel Olong, Frank Okaka and Feni Brian. Madam Speaker, Charles Okello Engola answered the highest call of serving his country as a professional soldier. He was a war hero and played a fundamental role in the pacification of the northern part of this country against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel insurgency and acquired the name ‘Macodwogo”, meaning “fire has returned”. (Applause) Madam Speaker, in 2019, Hon. Col (Rtd) Charles Patrick Okello Engola Macodwogo, as the Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs (Defence), led a team of Ugandan Members of Parliament to Arabiska Forward Operating Base in Somalia, where they interacted with the UPDF troops and the local leadership.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I send my sincere condolences to the family upon the loss of a man who was great in this nation. I also send condolences to His Excellency, the President of Uganda, who used to send Hon. Engola on special assignments, which he executed in a very reasonable manner. Further, I send condolences to you, Madam Speaker and appreciate you, for supporting this family from the time this incident occurred. I got to know the late Engola in 2016, when I was a member of the Committee on Appointments. When he appeared after the interview, we got in touch and I told him, “Do you know that Sam Engola was my very good friend? I do not know whether you will also become my very good friend.” He asked me, “What type of friendship do you have?” (Laughter) I told him whatever friendship you want to talk about but it is because Sam Engola studied at Madera Boys Primary School. Charles Engola told me that he had also studied in Soroti. So, I clicked with the family. Whenever he called on my phone - just two weeks ago - I think Sam Engola is a witness - they were together calling me. He then said, “This Sam Engola wants to talk to you when I am also here.” I asked, “What is happening to you brothers? You are fighting over a lame woman.” (Laughter) These are the jokes we used to have. His brother is there. Anyhow, there was an appointment we wanted to make to clear something. Unfortunately, I have not even finished that assignment; we shall only conclude the issues with the people he brought to me. Madam Speaker, the late Charles Engola was a good friend. He was a brother –

Madam Speaker, I will start with the introduction. You guided that a statement be presented by the Government - that was supposed to be yesterday. In response to the incident of Thursday, 27 April, 2023 in Kampala and those before it, in some parts of the country. However, I could not present the Government statement yesterday because of the Cabinet meeting that took place on the same day. I would like to thank you for allowing me to present these statements today. Madam Speaker, let me give the background. In the recent past, we have witnessed confrontations between security personnel and political actors in various parts of the country, including Hoima, Mityana, and Kasese and recently at Parliament and Soroti. These confrontations resulted in the incident of 27 th April in Kampala, which involved 11 Members of Parliament and the police. Madam Speaker, our country is governed by the rule of law. Our rules create rights as well as obligations for all people, including citizens as well as for law and order enforcement officers. Following the incident of last Thursday, investigations into that matter, and all the previous ones were started to establish the circumstances under which they happened. These investigations will enable the Government to gather evidence surrounding these incidents and take appropriate action. In addition, this will help ensure that such incidents do not happen again in the way they did, or in the unlikely event that they do happen, they are managed better by security. A summary of these incidents, which is limited to the extent that will not jeopardise investigations is as follows: Kasese The Forum for Democratic Change, on 3 April 2023, held a leaders’ meeting successfully at Bellevue Equator Guest House in Kasese. Before the meeting started, there was confusion as the organisers had not notified Police about it, resulting in a standoff with the police authorities. However, upon notifying the police, the organisers of the meeting were immediately provided with security and the event took place smoothly. Soroti On 14 th April, Soroti City planned to hold Women’s Day celebrations. However, due to limited resources and other unavoidable circumstances, the event was rescheduled to another date yet to be confirmed. Hon. Joan Alobo, the Woman Member of Parliament for Soroti City, reportedly continued to mobilise people for the function in spite of the resolution of 13 th April in a meeting by Soroti City authorities, which postponed the event. Hon. Joan reportedly declined to attend this meeting. The tension that followed was, however, well managed by the police and the situation returned to normal. Buvuma On 19 April 2023 at around 4.00 p.m., the District Police Commander, Buvuma, briefed police officers at the Central Police Station about the unlawful assembly organised by Hon. Suzan Nakaziba the Woman Member of Parliament for that district.

I would like to thank you for standing with us, the women of Uganda; you are one in a million. As for Soroti, I am very disappointed to hear the report our “mother” has given. How do you postpone Women’s Day celebrations by saying there is no money? Did we hear today that the Government did not send money to districts - give us an account that only Soroti did not benefit from the Shs 3 million that was sent to all districts? (Applause) This is not the first time I am being blocked –

Hon. Joan Acom, are you saying Soroti did not benefit?

8395 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 27 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology; Vote 303: Makerere University Business School; Vote 306: Muni University; Vote 308: Soroti University; Vote 309: Gulu University; Vote 310: Lira University; Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute; and Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University.

Honourable colleagues, here is information, which I had captured very well as part of my Communication from the Chair; I am looking for it here; I might have misplaced it. Please help me get it; sorry, I misplaced the paper on which I had written it. However, honourable colleagues, I read a story in the Daily Monitor newspaper about a caretaker of a patient in a health centre IV in Soroti who has been working in a garden for the health centre administrator for two weeks in order to cover a bill for a caesarean section that had been done on the daughter. The story said it has been a practice; people do it for one to get the service. You know, it is a very painful story. I will ask my team to get me the record. It is in the Daily Monitor and even online, it should be there. If there is any colleague who can find it, please get me the real facts. But nevertheless, it is a very painful story. And I am lucky the Minister for Health has come in. Honourable minister, I have read a story in the Daily Monitor newspaper with a very clear picture; I read it online and on their

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. On the issue raised in your communication pertaining to the forced manual labour that the caretaker in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital has been subjected to in order to raise the bill –

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Allow me to appreciate you for bringing this issue to the Floor. This issue is indeed true. I personally took the initiative yesterday and followed up with my team on the ground and the old woman testified that it is true. I also called the doctor, but he gave us excuses. In the same city, about three or four weeks ago, a woman died because, at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, there was no medicine that they inject women with after giving birth. They were asking for Shs 20,000, yet, I am told, the medicine costs less than Shs 5,000. In the same hospital, two months ago, a woman was taken for a caesarean section. However, because the mother did not have money, three days after the operation, the woman’s wound started oozing puss. When she was taken back to the theatre, they found that there were particles that had been left in her stomach. I escalated this issue and the RCC took it up. Women are really facing challenges and some of these doctors and nurses need to be brought to book. This very woman, who is doing hard labour, also said that after the C-section, she was asked for Shs 75,000 to buy drugs. I called the man in the store and he said: “We have all the drugs.” Why was this person asking this old woman for money? We really need help, as a country, to prioritise health service delivery so as to help the poor people down there. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. The case being discussed now, about the woman working in the garden of a health worker in Soroti, is not an isolated case. Mr Speaker, last year, I lost a cousin at Alebtong Health Centre. Why? It is because they have to refer you 50 kilometres away, to Lira, to do a CT scan. When you come back, you have to pay Shs 200,000 for them to perform a C-section on you. If you cannot afford it, they delay you and, then, the referral is done at the last minute – and you lose the mother and child. Therefore, this issue is of great concern and the ministry must take it seriously. As legislators, we must provide resources to support our health facilities. I thank you.

8379 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 26 APRIL 2023 The committee was further informed that a team composed of personnel from the Directorate of Research, Planning and Development, Human Resource Development, Human Resource and Management, crime intelligence and logistics and engineering was constituted to review the applications and come up with a short list for applicants for the post of PPC general duties and PPC drivers to be invited for interviews. Recruitment criteria for PPCs, a total of 9900 applications were received out of which 1846 including 1261 males and 585 females, qualified to be shortlisted for interviews. Of the 15 applicants Uganda police received from Buhweju District, none of them qualified, some districts failed to meet there quarter namely: Nabilatuk, Koboko, Yuymbe, Kakumiro, kibale, kikube, KIryandongo, Kyegegwa, Kitagwenda, Rakai, Lwengo, Kalungu, Kazo, Bududa, Sironko, Kaabong, Mityana, Mpigi, Gomba, Nakaseke, and Buyende. Police Force leadership explained the allocation of these quarters was in line with the constitutional requirement of nationalistic and patriotic police forces and shall ensure that members of the Uganda police force are rec recruited from every district in Uganda. It was further explained that quotas allocated to districts are based on the population projections as provided by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). The committee observed that the recruiting exercise had variances in the number of short- listed candidates per district. For example, Masaka City had 14, Masaka District had seven, Gulu City had 32, Soroti had 22 and Mitooma four. The committee queried the criteria used to allocate the said numbers. It further noted that in the circumstance where a district or a city did not meet the number for the quarter, the balance was given to the neighbouring district since districts are being cut often but stay within the geographical area. The committee was informed that variance in recruitment is based on the population quarter of which the formula is provided by the constitution and based on UBOS figures. The committee is satisfied that the variance in quarters given to different districts is justified. The committee noted that the recruitment exercise was centralised with the application being submitted at regional police offices and forwarded to police headquarters for processing. The committee recommends that whereas the Police Force conduct the recruitment exercise at the regional level due to COVID-19 pandemic, in future, the exercise should be done at the district headquarters as has been the practice. This will promote transparency in the exercise. Recruitment criteria for UCE leavers A total of 1488 applications were received and of these, 853 were found suitable for the next stage. These cut across all classes of driving permits. The recruitment exercise was in accordance with the second advert run by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The committee noted that all interested persons had to file applications accompanied by a recommendation letter from local authorities, as proof that the applicant is a resident of a particular district, a Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with 4 credits including English and at least a pass in mathematics obtained not earlier 2018, a valid driving license for those applying for the position of PPC drivers and a national id card as proof of Nationality. The committee recommends that there should be a verification committee comprised of the LCIII chairperson, subcounty chief and GISO before the applicant submits the application to the police force to minimise forgeries. The committee is satisfied that the advert for recruitment was made public on print media, radio and television and therefore applicants were aware of all the requirements for the positions they applied for. Originality and Identity of Applicants It was alleged that most of the people shortlisted per district were not residents of the said district. A case in point was Masaka City

8276 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT Tuesday, 25 April 2023 His family will also be joining us as we do this noble cause. The Prime Minister has already confirmed; she will be linking up with the LOP to follow the usual parliamentary practice of how we pay tribute. Secondly, most of you saw in our groups and in the media very annoying videos of inhumane treatment and assault of our honourable colleague, Hon. Susan Mugabi, Woman MP for Buvuma. Sometimes you ask yourself: “Who is in charge?” I think the previous Wednesday, the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Nakadama, was on the Floor here saying; “How can anyone stop a Member of Parliament we are assigned as Government?” The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development wrote to all the Women MPs to celebrate the International Women’s Day in their districts. So, who is stopping them from doing that? It is bad. The Prime Minister promised that no Resident District Commissioner (RDC) will do that and she was going to follow it up. Yet, the next day, Soroti was stopped. We are in a situation where RDCs are proving to be more powerful than a Prime Minister. I think that is where we are going. As the leadership, we took it up. Today, we had a meeting with the Speaker who has taken up this matter as a woman. (Applause) And we, as men, have a duty to protect our women; so I joined her. (Applause) . We want the Prime Minister to bring a statement to the House. We IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 30TH SITTING - THIRD MEETING Parliament met at 2.01 p.m., at Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Deputy Speaker, Mr Thomas Tayebwa, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Mr Speaker, I want to thank you very much for standing with the women. I watched, with a lot of pain, the situation in Mityana, what happened yesterday in Buvuma, Soroti, and other areas. These are women Members of Parliament. Mr Speaker, there is something I want us to interest ourselves in. You will notice that all the functions where people have been dispersed involved women Members of Parliament and not from the Opposition. The NRM women Members of Parliament have had smooth celebrations at their functions. Why? A woman is a woman whether NRM, FDC, or DP. I want to suggest that going forward – I know the Prime Minister is going to come and tell us that they will look into this and that - Parliament adopts a resolution that states that apart from the national celebration presided over by the Head of State, all the district functions be presided over by the women Members of Parliament. This will help us solve this problem. There is one thing I am not comfortable with - and that is of inviting ministers to preside over functions in the districts. This undermines the authority of women Members of Parliament in those districts. I had a situation where Hon. Alice Alaso, while she was the woman Member of Parliament for Soroti District, the RDC then, called Ben Etonu, rushed to Arapai to preside over a function. Hon. Alice Alaso literally went and [Mr Ssenyonyi] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

8238 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. MINISTERIAL POLICY STATEMENTS & BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FY 2023/2024 Mbarara University of Science and Technology This university has a problem of a dilapidated medical school. The committee, therefore, recommends that Shs 50 billion be allocated for the construction of a multi-purpose block at the Faculty of Medicine to house all lecture rooms, laboratories, and offices, and another Shs 18 billion will be required in the Financial Year 2023/2024 to kick-start the process. Mr Speaker, I have already talked about the wage bill for the recruitment of staff and promotions. Makerere University Business School (MUBS) Mr Speaker, Under MUBS, we recommend that an allocation of Shs 12.4 billion be allocated to enable the university clear its domestic arrears. Kyambogo University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development allocates Kyambogo University an additional Shs 34.2 billion in the Financial Year 2023/2024, to enable it address the process of asbestos-sheets roof removal - the university has buildings littered with asbestos sheets - and handle the dilapidated infrastructure. We further recommend that the university considers engaging the convocation to source funds for the initial fencing of the university to stop encroachers on its land. Busitema University Inadequate release to the Maritime Institute at Namasagali The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development allocates Shs 8.7 billion in order for it to start the implementation of the programme. There is also funding for the technology innovation and incubation centre and we are proposing Shs 1 billion to be allocated for at least the next three financial years. Funding toward completion and equipping the medical school This one is at Mbale Campus. We recommend that Shs 3.7 billion be allocated to fast-track and complete the rehabilitation of the medical school. Muni University Inadequate funding to the university We recommend that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development revises the recurrent non-wage of Muni University upwards to at least Shs 7.71 billion in the next financial year, and the MTEF period, in order to avoid a supplementary request each financial year, which sometimes is not given to the university. We further recommend for an additional Shs 8.2 billion for the completion of the construction of a multi-purpose hall to house the health science modern laboratory and administration annex building, and Shs 1.2 for Erepi Primary Teachers’ College. The university also needs more Shs 4.8 billion to recruit staff. Kabale University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should maintain the budget of Shs 9 billion, in the medium term, to enable the university to complete its on-going infrastructure development, and that it avails an additional Shs 22.6 billion for the procurement of a pre-specialised equipment and machinery. Soroti University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should allocate an additional Shs 17 billion to enable it complete the Anatomy Block. Gulu University The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Mr Speaker, I am sorry. Actually, the supply table has no issues. The figures appearing here, both for recurrent and development, are the ones in the Appropriation Bill’s draft estimates. So, the figures are correct. I had reached Vote 166: National Council of Sports – let me repeat it. Vote 166: National Council of Sports Total recurrent – Shs 16,966,514,000 Total development – Shs 0 Vote 301: Makerere University Kampala Total recurrent – Shs 346,669,558,000 Total development – Shs 19,072,698,000 Vote 302: Mbarara University of Science and Technology Total recurrent – Shs 54,295,012,000 Total development – Shs 3,764,047,000 Vote 303: Makerere University Business School Total recurrent – Shs 103,103,575,000 Total development – Shs 2,125,530,000 Vote 304: Kyambogo University Total recurrent – Shs 131,291,738,000 Total development – Shs 1,710,496,000 Vote 305: Busitema University Total recurrent – Shs 52,112,893 Total development – Shs 5,892,464,000 Vote 306: Muni University Total recurrent – Shs 24,080,694,000 Total development – Shs 4,752,000,000 Vote 307: Kabale University Total recurrent – Shs 56,011,281,000 Total development – Shs 2,586,568,000 Vote 308: Soroti University Total recurrent – Shs 22,879,364,000 Total development - Shs 1,257,362,000 Vote 309: Gulu University Total recurrent – Shs 61,529,303,000 Total development – Shs 1,671,020,000 Vote 310: Lira University Total recurrent – 29,983,277,000 Total development – Shs 5,000,000,000 Vote 312: Uganda Management Institute Total recurrent – Shs 35,594,073,000 Total development – Shs 1,720,000,000 Vote 313: Mountains of the Moon University Total recurrent – Shs 37,702,810,000 Total development Shs 0 Vote 612: Local Governments Total recurrent – Shs 3,129,560,000,000 Total development – Shs 349,030,000,000 Vote 122: KCCA Education Grant Total recurrent – Shs 46,710,000,000 Total development – Shs 2,230,000,000 I beg to report, Mr Speaker.

We shall have the Member for Kiboga, Hon. Mayanja, Member for Soroti and Hon. Komakech. Colleagues who have not been here, why are you standing up? I will not pick you.

Secondly, we have cities but it is embarrassing for the cities to keep borrowing graders from the neighbouring districts. Soroti City last year almost returned money because we had to wait for Soroti District to first grade its roads before we were given the equipment. Mr Speaker, I would like to urge this Parliament to support the Ministry of Works and Transport; we need graders, wheel loaders, rollers and dump trucks in the cities. Also, these cities need to be treated as special districts. Why am I saying this? Cities are still receiving the budget of the municipalities. For instance, Soroti Municipality had only 12 wards but when the city was created, they brought in additional 13 parishes yet the budget is for the municipality. I request Parliament to provide additional funding to the cities so that we have good roads. Thank you very much.

1.O INTRODUCTION ln consonance with Articles 90 and 155(41 of the Constitution of the Repubhc of lJganda 1995 (as amendcd), Sectron 12(l), 13(13,14,15) of che Public Finance Managemcnt Act, 2015 and Rules 146, l4?, 148 and 149 of the Rules of Proccdurc of Parhament. thc Sub-Programme on Education, Sports and Skrlls ts mandated nmong othcrs; i. Examine and commcnt on policy matters allecting Ministries, Departmcnts and Agencies (MDAsl undcr its purview; and ii. Examrne critrcally Government recurrcnt and capital budgct estimates and makc rccommendations on them. The Committce, ln fullillment of its mandate hereby presents this report for your consideratron and adoption rn respect to the pohcy statcmcnts and budgetary estima(es for the Financial Ycat 2023/24 for the following (20) Votes. VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE. VO'TE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE. VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: VOTE: ot3 llt r28 132 t@ 165 166 301 302 303 304 305 306 30? 308 309 310 312 313 Mrnistry of Edtrcatron and Sports National Curriculum Development Ccnter Uganda Natronal Examrnations Board Fllucation Servicc Commrssion National Council for Higher Education Uganda Busmess and Tcchnical Examinations Board National Councrl of Sports Ma.kerere Univcrsity Mbarara Unrversrty of Science and Technologt Makerere Unrverslty Business School I(yambogo Universrl.y Busitema Unrversity Muni Unrversrty Kabalc Universrty Soroti Univcrsrty Gulu University Lira Unrversrty Uganda Managcment lnstitutc Mountains of the Moon N 3 ,! Y)

Teblc 1: E(OC a.8crlmcat of Votca undcr thc Educetion, SLitli.nd SPotts Sub ac for Gcadcr end ul Rc. nrlvcne;r fY 2(x13 24. Votc l{rttrc i 2ot7l la 2Or9lm 20frlrL Vot. O13. MOE8 ?ava Votc 310- Llrr Uolec.ilt, votc 3o2. rf,h...r. Uniucrrltt votc 312- Uarndr Mla{la.at tnrtltutc 61.646/o 55% votc 306- liuri uni?.riitt 67.7Oo/o vot. 12i- Utrrdr lfrtload ErrE laatioar Bolrd Votc I I l- Ilrtlond eurlculuE DceclopECat Caatcr Votc 3O5- Butltc.n Unlect lty votc 3O/a- KrrDho3o unlucr.lt, votc 3O9- Guhr ualv.6lt, VotG 3O3- Xrka.G.c unit .nitt Burln.aa Ochool 5eh 63.7@/o 526/o vot 3O7- xrbrlc Unlvcr.lty Votc 30l- rlcrcr. Unle.trltf 5ovo VotG 132- Educ.tioa &.elc. comlDl. oa s5% ?7q" 65% sourcc: EC)C araaaaanaat Jor ,oi|2123 ,427124 ? 3 16/. a4,k 76 35'/o 52.A 76.35% s2",6 63.7O9o 660/o 600k 6t% 6lo/a 63.20f}io sg06 ?9 62'% 59 82/o 155% aooh ?aoh 7eh 75v6 ?5.4tr/o 76h 339(, 640A 6? 6t.40t% 6t% ? toh 57V., 62-400/o 696/a 50,% .1q% ?ot% 549, m2u22 8t./o 20r8/ 19 400h 719. 640h ao ttr/o ??.IoPA 39.4Wo 69 4064 72% 7orh 53% 500/6 54'/o 58./o ?ooa ?0P4, 64'% 54'% 6?Vo s8% ss% 7oqb 720A 79Vo 603@h 6? .7e/" ?5 ?Ut 62.4@/o s2:% 6AdA 56oto 55% A?o1, .?eh 69.h 68 95% 68o/o 760 ?a.aovo 68% 620/,t Sl0/6 ?q% 12g| 30" 630/0 629. 59pn 69% 640A 420/" 65 40Vo 67 53,406 6?o/o 6ro/,, 60.6o/o I 64 2@o 62.24|6 6A.4So/" VotG 3Ol. Soroti Urit E..ity 6t/" 60,% GA ara ovo o off/o fftlo votc 165- USrLdr Brdnct. rad Tcchaicrl E .rrainrtlon Boaad 629. votc 164- I{.tioanl cou.cll lor Hithcr Educrtloa oh Wo oE" Votc 166. lt.tioml Councll of Spottr e/" e/" ov! o oo9,r, o o0%, 58 5?ah 62/" 5a% 5506 4.% 6? At Grria .,\ sGt6 5 .39% s 66.1% 5

. A total of 127 (Fcmale=S9 and 68 =Malel stud€nts carried out intemship for Dcpanmcnt of lnformatr<rn Technologr and Computer Science and Libraqr lnformation Science; . A total of I03 (48 male & 55 femalc) Business Admrnistration studcnts conducted a community outrcach on entrcpreneurship, innovation and stilhng rn Kabale Municipality; . The universlty startcd e-[carning outreach ^t Kieczi High School; . Mathematrcs outreach conducted at Kabalc Brainstorm High School and threc (3) secondary schools participated. 30E-Sorotl Unlvcrrlty . 387 studcnts of both SHS and SET taught and examinc; r 9 Rcsearch papcrs published I9 fundrng proposa.ls devcloped and awarded under SUN rcsearch grant fund 19 SET Staff trained in Pcdagog skills (2 F and 17 M) I programme submittcd to NCHE for accreditation (Bachelor of Scrcncc in Physiotherapyl 44 students on clinical placcment for both MBChB and BNS, (l I F and 33M) in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital 58 book Trtles compiled under procurement Quarter One; . Internal Audrt Report produced and submitted to Omcc of lntemal Auditor General (OlAGl Preparcd and submittcd adlusted Frnanctal Statemcnts for t\ 2O2t 12022; . Staff Paid salary and NSSF for 3 months 46 new staff rccruited; . Preparcd Ql Progress Report for Fy 2022 / 2023 and submrtted to MoFPED and other line Mrnistries I Budget conference held attended by 5O staff (13 F, s7 M); . 3 monthly procurcmcnt reports prcpared and submrttcd to PPDA 102 hard copy documents delivercd; . 1 Councrl meetrngs held, attended by 24 mcmbers (6F, l8M) and 8 council committ€e meetrngs hcld 3 policies approved by council (Proposed lntellectual Prop€rty Pohcy, Fccs Pohcy and ldcntification Pohcy); o I Curriculum approved by Council (Bachclor of Scicnce rn Physiotherapyl 24O studcnts sat for Examrnauons (69F, lT lMl; o One curriculum devclopment workshop held {HEC); . Paid Lrving out allowance to 175 (128 M, 47Fl students of year I and ll . 4 Buildrngs, I I Vehicles and Machinery maintain Studcnts and staff trcated and diagnoscd; 99 (260 F, 239M) s PaI[ M 27 <_.ll

The commlttcc observes that thc council expenence hugc budget cuts w'lth their budgct for FY2O23|24 rcductng by 640/o compared to FY2O22 /23 from UShs 4?.tbn to an allocation of l?.387ba n fY2O23124, this budget cut is hkcly to affect a numbcr of planned activities under the Council such as preparatlonr quahficatrons and participation of Team Uganda in the 2O23 All Africa Games in Accra Ghana and thc 2O24 Paris, France Olympic and Paralympic games a.rnong others The Council seeks an additional Uahr 3O.42 bn in order to Eupport 5l reglst-ered National Fcdcrations and other activlttcs. The Councrl requires a dcvclopment budgct of UEhr t4.OSbn for the rcfurbishment and renovatton of Sports facilities at Lugogo Sports Complex and UShe 2o2bn nceded to facrlitate the refurbishment of various National Stadra regionally; Akibua Olymprc Stadium (Lira), Buhinga (Fort Portal crty)' Kakycka (Mbarara), Barifa (Arua), Pece (Gulu). Bugembe /lGkindu(Jrnja), Mbale Municipal Stadium (Mbalcl, Masaka Recrcattonal Grounds (Masaka)\, Ihbale Stadium (Kabale), Soroti Stadium (Soroti), King George Stadium(Tororo), Hoima (Boma Cround) and Masindi Stadium. Recomma,'datlons The commlttce recp,mmcnd,s f,hd:t: i. MFPED rclrwtatea that [ntdgct' of lfi$fot rZ2(ngf24 b U$rts4?.abn ll. MPPBL cualls llES a dcr*lopmeat hrdgct ol UShs Sobrt to klck scaft thc dcoclopma,I.C ol ttt ,Ib rt clrlmplcx/rrrNrna at Lugogo atd U*hs 2O2bt tor the Nat"lolnal ,tadla rcglotallg la thc medlut,za tctlra. FUBLIC T'N'IVERIIITIESI Gcacrd Obrcnatioar ead rccornnctr&tlont af Uadontafllag rnd hlgh rtrtl turnovcr: The Commrttec obscrves that most Public Universities are grossly understalled, with stafflng levels as low as 3O7o in some Universities/Colleges especially the s1

Total Dcvc cnt s,t92t464 VOTE 3O6: UU!tI UITMRAIaY Rccut:cnt Coaponcnt o/w Wagc 18,291,043 301,E49 6,091,500 o,/w Pensro_n and C13lt1ity o/ ul anears o/w Non-wage 24,O80,69{ Totil Rccurrcnt 4,752,000 o/ u anea?s Dctrcloprrcnt o/ ut Drternal Financmg o/ w GoU Totd Dceclopncnt VOTE 3O?: XAAALE IrrI\rERSIff 4,7S2,OOO Rccutrcnt Coa.poacnt o/w Wage 39,486, 193 18,211,469 o/ w_Penaion zmd Gratu ity o/ u' Anearc o/w Non-wage ?otd Rccurrcnt I,686,381 s6.o11,281 D6e6lopncnt Coaponcnt 2,586,568 VoTE 3O8: SOROTI III|rVERSITY RGcurrcnt ComDoa€at o/ tu Goll o/ ut arrears o/ u' Dxtema) Frnanc,.ng Tot l trt 2,586,56t 15,650,607 7.560,343 o/w Wage o/w Non-wage 336,849 5,263 22'.4?9, 4 DcvcloDment Componcnt Totel Rccurrcnt o/ w (ioU Totd Dcrr.lapnent o/u Drtemal Financmg o/ w Atears o /w Pension_{r.9-Oratuity o/ w Arrears 1,254,000 3,362 l,2s?,362 VCyrE 3O9: -GULU U TERSIIY_ Rccuraat CorD.potrcnt "k /**V 77

, In Attcndance: The Public Univcrsities Busiteme Univcrsity l) Prof. Parl W 2) Dr.Saphina Biira 3) Mr.Matsiko Mutungwire 4) Mr.Ojiambo Wilberforce 5) Dr.Lugga Fredrick 6) Ms.Akello Lyidah Soroti University 1) Prof. J. R. Nwja Odongo 2) Mr.Magnesa Ruber 3) Mr. Okot Zaithum 4) Mr.Oketlo James 5) Mr.Okumu A.M Mbarere Univerrity of Science and Technolory 1) Mr. Byaruhanga Melchoir 2) Mr.Musano Dominique 3) Ms.Nakakeeto Robinah 4) Prof.C.Tushabomwe Muni University l) Prof.Fr.Odubuker Picho E 2) Mr.Wahid Abdul 3) Mr. Marachiho Moris 4; Mr.Adrapi Francis 5) Ms. Achan Nancy 6) Mr. Bakar Robert In attendencc (The Committee Sccretrriat) l) Ms. Mirembe Barbara - Principal Fronomist 2) Ms. Akullo Carohne - Economist 3) Ms. Asiimwc Flavia - Legal Ofticer 4) Ms. Keijagye Brenda - Policy Analyst - Leader of Opposition 5) Ms. Namata Sylvia - Policy Analyst [LGB] 6) Ms. Nanono Veronica - Researcher 7) Ms. Bugembe Sylvia - Researcher 8) Ms. Ninsiima Diana - Principal Clerk Assistant/Minute Secrctary 2

t AGENDA ( I ) Recitation of the Parliamcntary Prayer. (2) Communication from the Chair (3) Consideration of the Policy Statements and Budget Estimates for Public Universities for the FY 2023/2024. (4) Adjoumment The meeting was called to order 9:55 a.m. Min.l - Recitetion of the Perliementary Prayer. The Parliamentary Prayer was recited by the Committee Clerk. Min. 3; Communication from the Chairperson In his communication, the Chairperson; (a) informed Members that the meeting was convened to consider Budget Estimates for FY 2023124 for public Universitics; noting most public universities encountered operational challenges that primarily included inadequate budget allocationsl (b) thanked Government for the initiative of ensuring that there was faimess in the allocation of government grants to public universities across the country. Observations/iss ues raised The Committee noted the following: (a) that the information so submitted by the University administrations of Soroti and Busitema as availed to the Committee was authentic; (b) that all public universities presented unfunded priorities that needed the attention of Government; (c) that by Covernment needed to revise its plans ofopening up new public universities on account of limited resource envelope; (d) that despite inadequate resource allocations, some public universities like Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) and Muni University embarked on viable projects and research and development; The Committee sought to establish the following: (a) whether universities' management had forums where key cross-cutting issucs affecting of Universities were consideredi (b) the cost ofbats that Muni University sought to procure to facilitate research studies: (c) justification that Ministry of Financc, Planning and Economic Development had to ignore supplementary expenditures it allocated to Public Universities; (d) reasons/causes for low student enrolment in some Public Universitiest (e) the reasons for non-inclusion of civil works in the development budget component to refurbish dilapidated infrastructure at Busitema University; (f) details about specimens for research that Muni University was to undertakel 3

I (g) reasons for refusal of the Mbarara Univcrsity of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor to honor invitations to attend meetings of the Committee on Education and Sportsl Responses to issues raised: The nteeting was informed: (a,) Busitema University's top unfunded priorities included staffing and refurbishment of the the Univemity Complex. @/ Soroti University's unfunded priorities werc listed in the written memoranda that was presented to the Committee; (c) Mrbau:ara Univcrsity of Science and Technology's Vice Chancellor's absence at meetings of the Committee of which he was invited was not deliberate but rather hinged on other engaganents relating to funding of public universities that he had to attend to; (d/ Non-promotion of university staff to higher positions in the staff structure was occasioned by inadequate wage bill allocation; (e) Muni University low student enrolment was occasioned by regulations set by National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) to enrol particular student numbers for science degree courses as compared to those to offer arts counies' That the University was looking at enrotting students to undertake/puniue new programs in order to increase on the students population. A representetive from Ministry of Education and Sports informed the Committce that under the UNESCO principles. States ought to allocate at least I p€rcent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP towards Education. Howcver, in Uganda, only 0'3 percent was allocated to education. a. Suggested that URA should be bafted from collecting money from Universities to solve the issue ofNTR not being allocated them as they have collected it. b. Requested the Universities to avail evidence ofwhatever they are alluding to in their presentation. (the University availed a letter before the Committee informing them of the Communication the PSST made to the accounting officers of all Universities informing them that "owing to cashflow constraints. the timits do not consider the additional adjustments to several votes as made by Parliament at thc Budget approval) c. Suggested that all University representatives should be available when the Committee is meeting the Ministry of Finance. 4

a) Whcther the National Council for Sports has any plan for thc construction ofthc rcgronal stadia. b) Whether thc 5l federations submit thcir Budgets to Natronal Council ofSports. c) The reason as to why the Ministry docs not seek a loan to cater for the issue of infrastructure. d) Whether National Council of Sports has visited Namboole Stadium to find out what is happening there. e) Accountabrlity for thc 80 Billion Shilhngs whrch was allocatcd to thc Ministry of Sporrs to rchabilitatc Namboolc Stadium. f) Whether it is possible to avail sports materials to the Sub county Councils and be available for all schools who would wish to borrow and use them in their schools. g) An account as to why the money that was allocated to National Council ofSports (vote 166) to alloca(e to Gderations was ins(cad allocatcd by FUFA which has no mandate to allocate the abovc moncy. h) Whcther National Council of Sports has any plan conccmlng E-sports in the country. r) Thc plan the National Council ofSports has for thc construction ofthc Anti-Doprng facility. j) An account for the 50 Billion for Sports Facilitics that National Council of Sports intends to build. k) 'l'he plan National Council ofSports has for the rchabilitation ofdilapidated sports structures. Responses to the issucs/ observrtions; Netionel Council of Spor,ls [NCSI In thcr response. Nauonal Courw of Sports, a. Statcd thal thcy arc in support of thc rcgional sudia and visrted areas like Gulu. Lira. Soroti. Mbalc whcrein they confirmcd that all these areas had land. 'l'hey further rcqucstcd that thc abovc land is clcarly allocated for purposes of sporls so that it is not used for othcr purposcs. b. lnformcd thc Committcc that thcy want to come up wlth a general policy on sports in thc Ministry of Education and Sports. c. lnformed thc Committce that efforts are being madc in line with rehabilitation of Namboole. d. Requested the Committee to strengthen National Council ofSports. e. Promised to take into consideratron the issue of getting a loan so as to support (hc development ofsports in the country f. Brought it to the Notice of thc Committcc that they cntered into a mcmorandum of understanding with Uganda lnvestment Authority in relation to the Lugogo Projcct. g. Pledged to submrt a report on how much land is available in regions for thc rcgional stadra and the proposed plan of the stadia. Repr€scntative from thc Ministry of Sports. a. Ministry of Sports put in place a project management tcam and project implementation unit to supervise the actlvlties taking place in Namboolc Stadium. Min 4-Adjournmcnt

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for that guidance. The committee recommended that this figure be raised by Shs 7 billion to Shs 7.7 billion. However, it is our opinion and recommendation that the Budget Committee sees it reasonable to increase this figure to Shs 289 billion. This is to enable them pay the salary or remuneration of the VHT workers, the Community Health extension workers but most importantly, to give the VHTs gadgets. A VHT should have a blood pressure machine, a glucometer or a machine to measure glucose. In the villages, we have hypertensive patients who are under medication and the drugs are not intelligent that as you take them and as they lower your blood pressure, they will reach a level and say, it is now no more, let us stop acting. They will keep lowering it for as long as you are taking them. So, the ideal situation is that you should have this gadget in the comfort of your home, such that you monitor as you take the drugs. When the readings are within the normal ranges, you go back to your physician for advice. The people in these communities may not afford these gadgets at home-based level. So, if we have them as a village, one could walk a few houses to the VHT’s home and really see whether the treatment is helping or not. So, we wish that the budget committee recognises that. On the issue of improving healthcare service delivery - let us go to page 8; it was on page 5, but let us go to page 8. So, on page 8, you will see our budget; we have a budget proposal. We are saying that when you look at the Uganda minimum health care package, together with many policies that are guiding the Ministry of Health, you notice that they desire to improve our health care. Therefore, we suggest that we should functionalise health centres IV and for starters, we are saying that if we have Shs 115 billion provided for this purpose, as per the table on page 8, then these facilities or this service would be well functionalised. The other dissenting issue is that we do not see a clear strategy that the ministry is using to eradicate malaria, much as it acknowledges that it is the biggest disease burden leading to the death of so many Ugandans, especially daily; the numbers are very big. The World Health Organisation also recognises Uganda as the third most malaria-burdened country in the world. There are countries that have eliminated malaria. We desire to join the list of those countries. We have put up a budget line that can enable us eradicate malaria like other countries on the list have done. The budget line is on page 11. The Ministry of the Health could be funded with Shs 270 billion so that it does aerial spraying by going for large sources of mosquitoes such as swamps, wetlands, rice fields, and sugarcane plantations. In the areas mapped up as the most burdened, you will find that there is a wetland. In Namutumba, you will find rice fields; in Busoga, you will find sugarcane. Therefore, you cannot use these backpacks to spray plantations; you need a plane. These are cheap planes - we have fixed-wing planes in our aeronautics teaching schools in Soroti that can be repurposed. The seats are removed, a tank is put in with insecticide and the spraying goes on. We have elaborated that and we can do it further. However, it needs Shs 270 billion. After that expenditure, we shall have no malaria and we shall now start maintaining the threshold of quantities of mosquitoes, but there will be no malaria. This is what other countries have done. Finally, on these last two areas where we dissented - if others could be postponed, these areas should not be left out. The first one is the budget cut to the private not-for-profit facilities - these are church-based health care facilities belonging to the Muslim faith, Catholic, Protestant, and Seventh Day. Some of the facilities exist in areas where there is no government facility. They have been receiving government support. Fifty per cent

Honourable committee chairperson, we shall not go into such details. Otherwise, we will sleep here. MS OKORI–MOE: The committee recommends that Shs 4 billion be provided for the programme to be rolled out. Feasibility study to establish Gulu and Soroti milk processing factories This feasibility study requires Shs 1.2 billion and the committee recommends that Shs 1.2 billion be provided. Vote 125: National Animal Genetic Resources Centre and Data Bank (NAGRC&DB) Community breeding programme i. Poultry/fish hatcheries The committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion for poultry hatcheries that were started in Wakiso, Bukedi and Karamoja be provided and Shs 8 billion for fish hatcheries be repurposed from item “312129: Other buildings other than dwellings – Acquisition”. ii. Fish/poultry feeds The committee observes that for sustainability, accessibility and affordability of community fishing and poultry breeding, there is need to establish corresponding fish and poultry feed factories and this requires Shs 20 billion. The committee recommends that Shs 20 billion be repurposed from the community breeding budget to establish a community fish factory. The committee also recommends reallocation of Shs 15 billion towards structures and allocates it to NARO for Agri–Engineering Research Solutions – that is, for making equipment for value addition of our products Vote 142: National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) i. Agri-Engineering Research Solutions The committee notes that NARO’s research has over time been concentrated on genetics and less has been invested in value addition technologies that can provide solutions for production, processing, food and nutrition security. The committee recommends that Shs 15 billion be reallocated from Vote 121: NAGRC&DB to Vote 142: NARO, for this purpose. ii. Conservation of indigenous genes The committee recommends that; a) NARO invests in deliberate efforts to conserve indigenous genes through establishment of a dedicated genetic bank for plants and animal genes. b) NARO takes interest in GMO-related activities in the country to avert any unregulated consequences

Soroti - Working Capital Cocoa processing factory in Bundibugro 4.65 Potato processing factory r.o0 Sponge iron manufacturing factory 4.00 Feasibility/ business plans/ investment appraisal / business valuation/ value chain studies 2.45 Sanga Vet Chem (U) Ltd 4.00 Packaging plant 1.OO Delight Uganda, Ltd 1.O Subtotal 23.45 Gtaad Total 3?.22 3.491 Proposed budget for UDC is UGX.37.22Bn out of which UGX. 13.64Bn is allocated for Recurrent /operations activities while UGX.23.57Bn is allocated to Capital Development -Projects see table above. Comlnlttec Obscnratlons: Ia regard to UDC, thc Coamlttcc obrcnred as follows: The Committee observed that as follows: 1. Section 28 of the UDC Act established an industrial and economic development fund, which fund is supposed to be utilised to implement the objects of the Corporation including but not limited to the industrial and economic development of Uganda. The Conmittce reconnenda that fuads bc allocated to IIDC EubJcct to the follorlng; (il Thc maaagcment of UDC rhould loprovc lnplementation proce by ensuring that regulatloac aad guidelinca for thc co and nanagcment of & arc in plece. 49

I'DC UNFUI{DED PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR F"T 2o123124: Develop master plan Procure an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) Contractor a Sector Intenlention In?eetmeat Planned activitiee, Justification AEoua t (Bn uGxl Fruit processing Expansion of Soroti Fruits Factory a Provision of working capital Procure, install and commission the PET Packaging Line & civil works Construct a water Treatment Plant Acquire 1O Acres of Land for from UIA Warehousing and Distribution trucks Support to TEFCU (Short run) a a a 23.O Fruit factory in Luwero 8.O 51

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for the report. In Soroti, we have a stadium for the whole of Teso subregion called Oligoi International Stadium. I know that most of these stadia do not need a lot of money. I can give an example of Pece War Memorial Stadium in Gulu. The former LC 5 Chairman of Gulu tells me they spent about Shs 380 to 400 million to put it to a level where they can collect resources when they hold football matches and other games. Mr Speaker, I do not know why the Government cannot afford to put at least a stadium in every region for us to keep our youths active. The youths are becoming drug addicts because they do not have what to do. They do not have jobs so they engage in what they can afford to do. If we keep them busy, they will be tired and not do wrong things. Mr Speaker, I beg that this Government forgets about just taking two regions and giving them billions of money when we can do some work with the limited resources, and have the whole country covered and represented in the national budget. I also beg that the Government considers putting stadia in every region so that the youth are engaged because we know that work without play, makes Jack a dull boy. Thank you.

8035 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. For all clients, whether they are on the first-line, second or third regimens, the cost of treatment is borne by the Government of Uganda and development partners through the Ministry of Health that meets all the costs unless a client opts to go for private treatment. The third-line ARV regimens are more expensive for the following reasons: i) The cost of laboratory tests that is required to determine whether one has failed to respond to the first-line and the second- line regimen. There is gene sequencing conducted in three laboratories in Uganda; so, samples have to be transported to those laboratories. The reagents and machines required for these tests are quite expensive to buy and run. ii) The ARVs used for the third-line treatment such as Darunavir are often still new on the patient. There are no generic versions of these drugs that would be cheaper as is the case with the first and second-line. iii) ARVs used for the third-line drugs are determined for each individual client and are often not in a fixed dose combination. For example, one tablet containing two or three drugs, which is often the case with the first and second-line regimens. iv) Over all, there are few clients worldwide that are on third-line ARVs for the pharmaceutical companies to reduce their costs and benefit from the economies of scale. I would like to stress three things here about the third-line ARVs. i) Despite the high cost in Uganda for the patients that require and are on third- line ARVs, the cost of this treatment is borne by the Government of Uganda and its partners – like I said earlier, unless a patient opts to go private; ii) Patients who need third-line treatment should be supported to get it in order for them to achieve sustainable viral suppression and improved clinical outcomes. This will prevent transmission of multi-drug-resistant strains of HIV that would, in the long run, increase the cost of treatment for newly infected individuals that would risk increasing the cost of the overall programme; and iii) Clients on first and second-line regimens should be supported to adhere to their treatment so that they stay on the affordable first and second-line regimens for a long time and reduce the need to move to the third-line of ARVs. Hon. Achayo Juliet,Ngora County, raises a matter concerning the inability of Government to collect enough blood for the safety of Ugandans and the lack of capacity by the Nakasero Blood Bank to carry out its activities. Her prayer is that I update the House on the readiness of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services to carry out its mandate. In my response, the Government has progressively increased the capacity of the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services. We started constructing regional blood collection centres. For example, the construction of Soroti Blood Bank is at 90 per cent completion. In terms of human resource capacity, the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services has a total establishment of 424 positions, of which 296 are filled. The current staffing level can support constitution of 25 teams for blood collection. The collection centres require about 415,000 units of blood. Uganda Blood Transfusion Services would need 38 teams, as each blood collection team is able to collect 1,000 units of blood per month. UBTS relies heavily on volunteers to fill the human resource gap of blood collection. However, volunteers are unreliable – as you all know – uneconomical and have a lot of associated risks. Uganda Blood Transfusion Services proposed to recruit additional 13 teams, each comprising of 10 clinical staff for blood collection this

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the rest of the Members in thanking the committee for this detailed report. Mr Speaker, one of the areas that was visited was Soroti – for the case of Teso. The group in Teso subregion has an association for the former employees of the defunct East African Community. Mr Speaker, if this money is in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs, let those who are alive benefit from what they ought to benefit from. If we are going to keep this money to look for those whose location has not yet been established - We do not give life and we do not know when these people will leave this earth. Let those who have done work benefit from their sweat. I urge the minister that all those who are still alive should get their money. We cannot wait for those ones; we shall look for them after the ones who are available have benefited. Otherwise, even the ones available will die and will not benefit and we shall, again, begin looking for them when they are not there. Mr Speaker, I beg to submit.

7991 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 12 APRIL 2023 Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Report of the proceedings of Parliament (Hansard) is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Office of the Clerk to Parliament. Forty-five years down the road and we are not able to pay these people is such a huge shame for this country. I cannot be part of that shame; so, we must pay these people. I want to bring it to the attention of this House that the only surviving institutions that we see around are the EAC and Soroti Flying School. However, I have seen people running to sell old houses and big land, which used to belong to that institution. What a shame! Mr Speaker, there are issues involving payments to these people. People are disputing the figures but accountants know it very well. We know what they call the future values. There is what they call discounted rate - discounting figures. What is supposed to be paid in the future is brought forward and the figures given. What went wrong with the accountants of our ministries? They are meant to support and help us with the figures so that people – (Member timed out.)

7937 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 2023 As you evict – for instance there is a serious case in Soroti – and the petition is coming to this House - where the RDC came with a grader and razed down even trees that had been planted as a mitigation measure for improving the environment. He cut down sugar canes, rice, greens and potatoes. Villages that are affected are Onyama, Abelet – that is a parish in Gweri Subcounty, which is within the county of Soroti. There is also Omalera Village, which is in Opuyo Ward. I do not know when RDCs constituted themselves into NEMA to enforce the NEMA law. We see in Kampala, for instance, wetlands being allocated to investors. If you are to enforce this law properly and set a serious deterrent, begin with these ‘big’ ones before you roll down to the small ones. I know NEMA’s mandate of is to take stock of all natural resources and their utilisation including conservation. However, this quarry you mentioned, which was in the question raised by Hon. Opio of Kole North, is the same challenge that the residents that - Hon. Fadil Twalla has gone out – but the residents in his constituency, which borders Bulambuli District, have a similar challenge. The quarry has polluted the area. People no longer serve food in the open because the dust enters even up to the bedrooms. There is serious noncompliance on the part of the so- called investors in these areas. Therefore, we would want to see NEMA take stock and enforcing the law rather than leaving it at the mercy of the people and even to the excited RDCs like the one of Soroti - I have forgotten his name; I should mention it here –(Interjections)– yes, Mr Komakech and his deputy even extort money from people who are using those wetlands. First of all, they extort money from them to allow them grow the rice. Then if they want more money, they come to destroy; threatening them to give money – (Interjections) – information, I have not allowed you.

7880 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO. 1 FOR FY 2022/2023 Shs 6 billion is required for maintenance of oxygen plants. Shs 2.7 billion is requested for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa. Shs 3.6 billion is required as counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital Project. Members can read the details. We recommend as follows: A total of Shs 5.9 billion, instead of the requested Shs 6 billion, be provided as follows: a) Shs 4 billion be availed to procure eight transformers and accessories for eight regional referral hospitals namely: Masaka, Jinja, Soroti, Gulu, Arua, Hoima, Kabale and Moroto. b) Shs 1.5 billion be availed for repair of oxygen plants in the regional referral hospitals. c) Shs 400 million be availed for van maintenance – for the workshop. The committee further recommends that recurrent expenditure should be incorporated in the subsequent budgets. In addition, we recommend that upon installation of the new oxygen plants, the current stock of oxygen plants should be evaluated and decommissioned since they have become more expensive to maintain. For the issue of Lubowa, the committee recommends that Shs 2.7 billion for supervision of the International Specialised Hospital at Lubowa –(Interjections)- Members, listen. We decline the approval –(Applause)– because up to now, the Ministry of Health has not given accountability for what has been given so far. For the Shs 3.6 billion counterpart funding for Busolwe General Hospital - this is a grant from the Spanish Government – we recommend the approval of Shs 3.6 billion. Vote 018: Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development requested for Shs 21.6 billion for Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women (GROW) project. This project is funded by the World Bank. We recommend the approval of Shs 21.6 billion to Vote 018 for the GROW project. Vote 022: Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities made a request of Shs 1.359 billion as unspent NTR for Financial Year 2021/2022 for UWEC. We recommend the approval of Shs 1.359 billion. The same ministry is requesting for Shs 3.8 billion as non-tax revenue for emergency relocation of Uganda Hotel and Tourism Institute to rented premises and establishment of students’ accommodation facilities in Jinja to pave way for smooth construction. We recommend that Shs 3.8 billion be availed to the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. Vote 120: National Citizenship and Immigration Control requested for Shs 46.784 billion for the directorate to procure more passport booklets. We observed that the demand for the booklets has increased and there is a shortage of 288,000 booklets. Once the money is given, the directorate will generate an additional Shs 65 billion in non-tax revenue. We recommend the approval of Shs 46.784 billion to Vote 120. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) requested for Shs 34.446 billion as unspent balances for Financial Year 2021/2022 for the Second Kampala Integrated Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP II) from the World Bank. We recommend that the Shs 34.446 billion be availed to KCCA.

Madam Speaker, I got a question from Hon. Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, Member of Parliament for Omoro County. He would like to seek guidance from Government and an update on the status of the compensation of Omoro war debt claimants. He said the people of Omoro were yet to receive their compensation from the Government. His prayer was that I update the House on the compensation of the war debt claimants of Omoro. Madam Speaker, my response is that on 26 March 2022, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda launched payments for war debt claimants and beneficiaries for cattle lost in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso at Soroti University grounds, Soroti City. Following the launch, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs started processing payments of livestock compensation for beneficiaries and claimants in the sub-regions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. A total of 92,634 data cards, in triplicate copies, were distributed to the 29 districts in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. The data cards were distributed as follows: 45.4 per cent (42,024) to the districts of the Lango sub- region, 36.3 per cent (33,664) to the districts of Teso sub-region and 18.3 per cent (16,946) to the districts of Acholi sub-region. Madam Speaker, by 30 June 2022, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs had received 33,017 (35.64 per cent) livestock claimants and beneficiaries records, out of the 92,634 data cards submitted. Omoro District had submitted hardcopy data cards accompanied by soft copy information. However, when the data cards were subjected to verification, the ministry realised that the data cards had been wrongly filled, that is to say, each claimant/beneficiary had filled triplicate copies, each with a different serial number (0001, 0002 and 0003) instead of a set of triplicate data cards bearing the same serial number (0001, 0001 and 0001). The ministry procured 2,000 new data cards from Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation, which were sent to Omoro District for the claimants/beneficiaries to fill in, again. A total of 1,258 data cards were resubmitted by Omoro District in July 2022 and have since been verified. Madam Speaker, this current Financial Year 2022/2023, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has allocated Shs 30 billion to pay verified and validated war debt claimants/beneficiaries in the subregions of Acholi, Lango and Teso. Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, the Woman MP Kapchorwa District, raised a matter concerning lack of water in Kapchorwa District and the need for Government to fulfill a presidential PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

Madam Speaker, I beg your indulgence; if you could allow me, then the minister can take it up. Thank you. As I stated earlier on, two weeks ago, hundreds of people that belong to the Christ Disciples Church in Serere, and more so in Kasilo, left Kasilo after their leaders told them that a catastrophe was going to befall Uganda. They sold their properties and left en masse for Ethiopia. The concern of the people is that we do not want to hear that what happened in Kanungu has happened in Ethiopia. Yesterday, I received a video of the church in Ethiopia. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to pick up this matter because we do not know what is going to happen. We do not want a repeat of the Kanungu situation. These sects are being confused. They decided to sell all their properties and leave on a trek. I do not even know how they moved; these villagers have never even reached Soroti Town. We do not know where the security was to allow such a population to leave and find themselves in Ethiopia. Madam Speaker, we do not want to discover mass graves be that we have lost people because they belong to certain sects and their leaders have confused and deceived them. Thank you.

This Bill is not about Hon. Fox Odoi. He is only attempting to be consistent with what he stood for in the Constitutional Court. I will persuade him, as a father and a husband of two beautiful ladies, to abandon what he stood for then and know that the position of Ugandans has changed and all Ugandans are against homosexuality. The major argument that persuaded the Constitutional Court to nullify the work that we did then was the issue of quorum. This has been cured and I am sure and certain that all of the arguments against homosexuality will fall flat, even when they go to court. They based themselves on Article 27 of the Constitution, which is the right to privacy. Madam Speaker, I submit that Article 44 of the Constitution says that, that right is derogable. You cannot have that argument on issues that seriously affect and torture our children. You heard the submission of the honourable minister from Soroti; the former arrow boy, that homosexuality is practiced in schools and it is rapturing – Rapture is an act of torture and it is against the Constitution of this land.

7568 AD HOC C OMMITTEE REPORT 7. Vote 166 – National Council of Sports; 8. Vote 301 – Makerere University; 9. Vote 302 – Mbarara University of Science and Technology; 10. Vote 304 – Kyambogo University; 11. Vote 305 – Busitema University; 12. Vote 306 – Muni University; 13. Vote 307 – Kabale University; 14. Vote 308 – Soroti University; 15. Vote 309 – Gulu University; 16. Vote 310 – Lira University; 17. Vote 312 – Uganda Management Institute; 18. Vote 313 – Mountains of the Moon University; and 19. Vote 612 – Local governments. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to lay on the Table the policy statement for the health sub-programme for Financial Year 2023/2024: Vote 014 – Ministry of Health Vote 114 - Uganda Cancer Institute Vote 115 – Uganda Heart Institute Vote 116 - National Medical Stores Vote 127 - Uganda Virus Research Institute Vote 134 - Health Service Commission Vote 151 - Uganda Blood Transfusion Service Vote 401 - Mulago National Referral Hospital Vote 402 - Butabika Hospital Vote 403 - Arua Regional Referral Hospital Vote 404 - Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital Vote 405 - Gulu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 406 - Hoima Regional Referral Hospital Vote 407 - Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Vote 408 - Kabale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 409 - Masaka Regional Referral Hospital Vote 410 - Mbale Regional Referral Hospital Vote 411 - Soroti Regional Referral Hospital Vote 412 - Lira Regional Referral Hospital Vote 413 - Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital Vote 414 - Mubende Regional Referral Hospital Vote 415 - Moroto Regional Referral Hospital Vote 416 - Naguru National Referral Hospital Vote 417 - Kiruddu Regional Referral Hospital Vote 418 - Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital Vote 419 - Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital Vote420 - Mulago Specialised Women and Neonatal Hospital Vote 421 - Kayunga Referral Hospital Vote 422 - Yumbe Referral Hospital Vote 612 - Local Governments and the other annex attached. Madam Speaker, I beg to lay.

Honourable members, reconcile with the Clerk’s office as we proceed. Follow up with the Clerk’s office which report is more current. Honourable minister, reconcile with the Clerk’s office. As we proceed, it will come. In the VIP gallery this afternoon, we have a delegation from the Uganda Cooperative Savings and Credit Union. They include Hon. Bintu Jalia, Hon. Bagonza Stephen, who is the Vice Chairperson and Mr Sylvester, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). You are most welcome. Still, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have family members, friends and constituents of Serere County Member of Parliament. Please stand up and wave to us. You are most welcome. You have come in big numbers; that is very good. We wish you a safe journey when you go back. This is your Parliament and we will always be here for you. Again, in the public gallery, we have Hon. Juma Emong Showan, the “ Speaker of Parliament” of Bukedea and the “ Clerk to Parliament” . You are most welcome. Also, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have the Guild Council of Soroti University on a tour visit to Parliament. They are represented by Hon. Ebwalu Jonathan, Hon. Alobo and Hon. Ariko. You are most welcome, and thank you for coming.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Thank you, committee, for the report presented. There is also an observation that most schools took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Normally, for any small increment in the fees, the parents are supposed to be engaged. However, when you do research across the country, you will notice that most schools increased their fees by over 40 to 50 per cent without the engagement of the parents, which is not right. Mr Speaker, we have issues in the local governments right now; there is a new policy where schools are supposed to be titled in their own names. I want to report that there is a lot of resistance and especially in Kumi; I want to openly quote the Rt Rev. Joseph Eciru Oliach, the Bishop of Soroti Catholic Diocese. He cautioned us, leaders, when we attended a confirmation programme and said that he was not going to accept any school belonging to a Catholic foundation body, to get a title without the name of the foundation body. Therefore, as we discuss issues pertaining to education in this country, there is need for us to popularise any policy or new guidelines that we come across within the country. Otherwise, we shall continue contradicting ourselves as we deliver the services. Finally, on inspection of secondary schools, Mr Speaker, I have seen a tendency of secondary schools failing to abide by or respecting – (Member timed out.)

Mr Speaker, from the briefs I get through the technical staff from the Leader of Government Business, I saw that the minister – Hon. Beatrice Anywar, yesterday gave a statement in this House. Secondly, let me also inform you that on her way to Soroti, she got an accident but she is out of danger. She was going this morning. She informed me. However, I want to, once again, reiterate the need for us - the honourable ministers - to always inform our colleagues when going to their constituencies. The current presiding Speaker has always directed us to do it. It costs nothing for you to inform a colleague that you are going to her constituency. I have always done it, whether it is a constituency of an Opposition Member or NRM.

6974 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT In this case, we would be able to know, for example, that out of these people who have come from Soroti District, how many were from Soroti and how many were not? From the Karamoja region, how many were from this region and how many were not. That way, we would be able to have that statistical analysis to help us do better in the next recruitment. Anyhow, I hope the ministers are taking up these things. The Committee on Defence and Veteran Affairs must continuously engage the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces, the Uganda Police Force and the Uganda Prisons Services whenever the recruitment takes place. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

6870 MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS Management Act, 2015, which requires that annual cash flow plans issued under subsection 1 be the basis for the release of funds to the entities. 2. Accounting officers should strictly adhere to the annual budget performance contract signed with the PS/ST pursuant to section 45 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. This contract binds accounting officers to deliver to the activities in the work plan of the Vote for the financial year submitted under section 13(15) of the Public Finance Management Act. The performance of NTR remains a challenge. The situation was not made better by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Quite a significant number of entities under the sectors under review did not fare well with NTR. The committee recommends that the entities should strictly plan for NTR in their budgeting process to avoid distortions in economic planning. A significant number of entities would tell the committee that they never planned or budgeted for NTR, yet, they are NTR-collecting entities. Others would inform the committee that the NTR was un-enforced budget plan by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. To this extent, the committee recommends that: 1) The entities in issue should liaise always with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to budget together to avoid distortions and inadequacies in that budgeting function. 2) The country should put in place a rapid response mechanism in cases of emergencies to avoid drastic and catastrophic consequences to the economy. 3) The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should provide technical assistance to entities in areas of economic planning and budgeting. 4) Entities should further look for ways of diversifying their revenue sources to ensure that they meet their targeted NTR thresholds in addition to technological measures as a response to unforeseen disasters. The other area of significance are off-budget receipts. The committee has consistently observed with dismay that a significant number of entities receive off-budget financing but fail to declare the same to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and as a result, cause distortion of the budget. The Auditor-General reported that some entities received off-budget financing, which was not declared and accordingly not appropriated by Parliament as required under section 43(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. There was no evidence that the entities obtained clearance from the Accountant- General, as required under section 43(5) of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Such omission goes against the requirement, running an unintegrated budget and poses a risk of double financing and possible abuse. For example, Kyambogo University received donor funding of up to Shs 3,110,000,000 out of which only Shs 2,677,000,000 had been included in the budget resulting in an off- budget receipt of Shs 44,033,000,000 that was not declared. Uganda Management Institute received another significant amount of Shs 185 billion from the African Development Bank to finance staff capacity development, which was equally not declared to the Treasury and therefore, not appropriated by Parliament for the entity. There are very many examples, which include, but are not limited to, Soroti University and a number of others like Busitema and Gulu, Muni universities. All received funding that was not declared and neither transferred to the Consolidated Fund account. [Mr Ssseggona] STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT

Madam Speaker, we are talking about service delivery. You rightly put it that Soroti City is choking with garbage everywhere you pass. The ministry delivered a skip loader to Soroti, but I can tell Parliament and the country that, that car is parked. Why? Thugs went and stole a battery of that car and up to now, it is parked in the city. That is negligence. Soroti City is fully guarded not by private security, but Uganda Police Force, but up to now, nothing has been done.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Secondly, there is constant conflict between Soroti City and the district. There was a document circulated, written by the Attorney- General, that the movable assets are divided 50/50 while the immovable assets remain in the city, whether true or false. There was a very embarrassing situation in Soroti where the engineers of Soroti District went and pulled down the signpost of Soroti City planted by the Speaker of Parliament then, Hon. Alitwala Kadaga. We are sharing officers in the city, LCV is here, the Mayor is here, the RDC of the district is here. The RDC of the city is the other side so, there is total confusion. We implore and appeal to the Attorney-General that please, guide and direct where the city should be and where the district should be. I beg submit.

Thank you. Soroti women, do you have something to say on the same? Okay.

6772 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT administrative units is so political that it is not based on scientific means. And now the cocktail of problems comes back to us to solve those problems that we have created. That is why there are some districts that hardly have human resource in the form of veterinary officers, extension workers, health officers, etc. - because we create local governments that are not necessarily backed by science, but they are backed by political sentiments that certain people ate – (Interjection)– I did not talk about rats; I am only saying certain people smiled well and they got a district. Others over demanded. And I have heard the President on record saying, “Please, let us stop creating administrative units,” because we do not have the financial muscle to support them. However, now that we have them, what do we do? We implore the Ministry of Finance not to create problems for us. For example, as we walk through these cities and local governments, and people comment about roads, not many people can interface with the Minister of Finance. The only people they interface with are Members of Parliament or the Speaker. The Speaker was talking about garbage. She was scared to get out of Soroti because they would then say, “Madam Speaker, look at the garbage.” And the CAO’s answer would be “We don’t have money,” because the funds have not been released. When I talk about my local government, imagine a release of Shs 13 billion for Kampala as it looks like, as development budget in this quarter. With all those potholes, it would be a shame on all of us - not on me, alone. I know the revenue streams are few, but let us put our money where we have our capacity. This is the face of our nation. The airport; we all land at that airport. Madam Speaker, as you invite Speakers to come here for the next conference, at what airport will they land? What impression do we send? Then they move on a nice road – the Kampala-Entebbe Expressway; amazing and good development. And then they get into my potholed city, which I am ashamed to talk about as the situation is. But I can shoulder the responsibility by saying this Parliament appropriated money, but we have not gotten the release. This Parliament here - and I thank you, honourable members; you appropriated enough money - at least enough for the beginning in form of development budget - for this capital city. This quarter, Kampala has received the Shs 13 billion to fix kilometres and kilometres of roads and drainage, and collect garbage and improve traffic lights and lighting in the city. As I wind up, Madam Speaker, it is impossible for a man in this House or an honourable member to leave home with Shs 3,000 and expect to find a buffet with chicken, rice, matoke, and you expect the woman to provide for 10 children. This city was planned for 250,000 people; it has an influx of 4 million people on a daily basis including you, honourable members. And we are proud to have you and to host you every other day. If you posed the question as to whether I wanted this Parliament to move, I would say, “No” because having you is our pleasure. So, let us empower these local governments through funding adequately, timely and giving them capacity. Then definitely, we shall breathe a good national outlook; if our local governments extend services, it will reflect on the national development plan. I thank you.

Thank you. Honourable members, those who have not spoken will speak on the next one. Hon. Edakasi, you will speak on COSASE. I saw Hon. Osoru very passionate about a city and municipality living together. We need to live cordially. A city came out of the municipality and we need to live in harmony. For now, when we do not have premises, we cannot just decide to chase them away, but it is food for thought for the Government to create an office for the city or for the municipality. It is your baby that you must nurture. Do not chase away your babies. Soroti, Gulu, Mbarara, among other cities, let us learn to live together and coexist and we will have an alternative in the near future. Can we hear from the Attorney-General? A number of issues have been raised.

Then operationalise the machine of Soroti - the battery - and hold the person responsible accountable.

Honestly, Madam Speaker, Soroti should afford a battery with the revenue collection they are making.

6742 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT General. The audit revealed that on the account of delayed deletion of staff from payroll, some accounting officers authorised payment for salaries to staff who are either retired, transferred their services, absconded or died. I will give you an example of Gulu city where there was a delayed deletion of 20 staff who had left services leading to payment of Shs 64,323,558. Mr Speaker, such anomalies lead to loss of funds, and we have provided recommendations to that effect. We would also like to report on non-deduction of PAYE from political leaders. We have indicated details of our findings as a committee, where political leaders were not subjected to deductions of PAYE. We have also provided recommendations and to be specific. The committee recommends that accounting officers recover all the monies that were not deducted from these political leaders or the accounting officers will have to be held liable and they will have to make good the losses. Mr Speaker, we would also like to report on payment of salaries, pension and gratuity of IPPS. We noted for example, in Bulambuli District, where nine pensioners were paid a total of Shs 170 million off IPPS. The committee observed that payment of salary pension and gratuity off IPPS contravenes paragraph 4.5 of the Establishment Notice No.2 of 2019 and could lead to abuse and manipulation for private gains. As a result, we recommend the following: The accounting officers should ensure to reconcile their respective entity staff lists together with the Ministry of Public Service IPPS, in order to avoid payment of salaries and pension and gratuity off IPPS. The accounting officers should desist from the practice and can only take such actions with the approval of the line ministries. Mr Speaker, under 3.3, we have off-budget receipts. We have provided those details and I request Members to look through. The committee has also provided observations, and I will take you straight to recommendations. The recommendations as follows: The accounting officers should adhere to paragraph 29 of the Budget Execution Circular for the said financial year. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should mainstream the disbursement of funds through the normal planning and budgeting cycles to avoid off- budget receipts. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the operationalisation of the new cities. The audit report noted that during the Financial Year 2019/2020, Government made a pronouncement upgrading 10 municipal councils to city status, effective 1 st July 2020. These include: Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Soroti and Hoima. The audit report noted the following: The Government did not provide funding in the budgets of the newly created entities to enable them to operate as cities. They continue to operate using the budget of the municipal councils. The cities lacked establishment structures against which the recruitment of the required human resources could be undertaken. There was no guidance on the allocation and sharing of assets. This has become a contentious matter between the councils of the newly created cities and the district entities from where the cities were created. Mr Speaker, we would like to report on the capitation grant for printing. This is a matter that has been concluded and we will request Members to read through, but we have also provided recommendations that, for all the money sent to districts, there should be clear

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

6697 Thursday, 22 December 2022 people of Teso, and for the country at large, when we woke up to the sudden news of the passing on of Hon. Okabe, who was a Member of Parliament of Serere County. He was also a bishop. He passed on in a fatal accident, with his wife Christine Okabe, in Budaka, early morning that day. Today, we are gathered in this House, in a special sitting, with grief and sorrow to send off a distinguished colleague. I can assure you, the new Members of Parliament, that you may not have known Hon. Okabe because he was a quiet, peaceful person. He was not cantankerous like some people can mean to be. (Laughter) The Hon. Okabe that we are talking about and who is going to lie in front of you, was a bishop and a God-fearing legislator. In most cases, we do not get so many legislators who are God fearing. Now we had somebody who was a bishop. Instead, we get people who knock heads in these kinds of places. The person we are talking about was God-fearing. He had so many churches; he was a very peaceful legislator who never wanted conflicts. That is the Patrick Okabe that we have lost. Patrick Okabe is leaving a legacy. He has so many churches in Soroti, Busole, Mbale, Pallisa, even in Kampala here. That is the peacemaker that we are talking about; a voice of reason and a remarkable leader that we have lost. In just two weeks, we have had two bodies in this House. I think we need to pray to God that IN THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA Official Report of the Proceedings of Parliament SECOND SESSION - 16TH SITTING - SECOND MEETING Parliament met at 11.59 a.m. in Parliament House, Kampala. PRAYERS (The Speaker, Ms Anita Among, in the Chair.) The House was called to order. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Madam Speaker, under Rule 56 of our Rules of Procedure, I move a motion for a resolution of Parliament to pay tribute to the late Hon. Bishop Patrick Okabe for his dedicated service to the Republic of Uganda. “WHEREAS the Parliament of Uganda received with deep sorrow, the sad news of the death of Hon. Bishop Patrick Okabe, Member of Parliament for Serere County, who died together with his dear wife, Mrs Christine Okabe, in a motor accident along Mbale- Tirinyi road on Monday, 19 December, this year; AWARE that Hon. Patrick Okabe has had a distinguished career serving in various capacities, both spiritual and political, in Uganda, including as Member of Parliament for Serere County in the 10 th and 11 th Parliaments where he served as a member of the Committee on Public Accounts (Central Government) in the 11 th Parliament, a member of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government in the 11 th Parliament, Chairperson, Teso Parliamentary Group in the 10 th Parliament, a bishop at Impact Ministries in Mbale City and the proprietor of Rhema High School in Soroti and a Christian based radio station in Mbale city; APPRECIATING that Hon. Bishop Patrick Okabe was a diligent leader who served his country with devotion and integrity and strongly advocated for women economic empowerment, human rights and the fight against malaria in Uganda; FURTHER APPRECIATING that as a devoted Christian faithful, Hon. Bishop Okabe greatly contributed to the promotion and observance of Christian values of love, peace, faithfulness, ethics, integrity, generosity, hope and respect, as a means of transforming the lives of Ugandans; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that: 1. Parliament collectively conveys its deep condolences to the bereaved family, relatives, friends and the people of Uganda for the loss of a distinguished citizen in this country. 2. Parliament takes cognisance of the immense contribution that Hon. Bishop Okabe has rendered to Parliament and the people of Uganda.” Madam Speaker, I beg to move.

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

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

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for the report, but also, as part of Teso, I thank the minister for the poles and lines that have been lined up in many of our districts. We thank you for that. (Laughter) My question is: when will those lines be switched on because that is what people are asking for? In Kaberamaido, you have done a lot of coverage, in terms of putting up the poles, but we are looking forward to that being switched on. The other issue I want to raise with you, honourable minister, is pricing for connections. There are some places where people say they are being asked for Shs 2 million for a connection. Other people are saying Shs 3 million; others are saying Shs 1.5 million. It would be good if the ministry can come out clearly on what that cost of connection is. Lastly, as other Members have said on the issue of schools and Government institutions, we still have schools that are not connected and they are asked to also pay to be connected. It is the same with churches. If there could be affirmative action for those, it would be helpful. There are also several hotels and tourist places, which are really an investment for the Government, but they are not connected. We still have areas, including in Soroti, where there are guesthouses connected, but it is very intermittent and so, they cannot host visitors. Thank you.

6568 ACTION T A K E N R E P O R T O N T HE R E S O L U T IONS O F T HE 1 1 T H P A R L IAMENT investigating these allegations and action will be taken after the investigations. The value for audit on the factory As I said, Madam Speaker, the Auditor-General is auditing and will take action after he has reported to Parliament accordingly. In order to grow the company and ensure that Soroti Fruit Factory meets the demand of the farmers, all shareholders should make their fair contribution towards re-capitalisation and administration costs of the company. Capital restructuring of this factory has been approved by the UDC board and mobilisation for more capitalisation is being done by the shareholders. We should incorporate corporate governance in the running of the factory affairs. This has been done because now the new board will be in place to separate management from the board issues. Securing a fully-fledged packaging line Madam Speaker, Parliament resolved that we should procure a fully mechanised packaging line to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of production in the factory. Action taken We are grateful that a supplementary budget of Shs 5.5 billion was provided by this House to cater for the packaging process. The process of procurement to acquire a new line is on-going. In addition, more land has been acquired from Uganda Investment Authority in the Soroti Industrial and Business Park for the expansion plan. Therefore, once the procurement is done, we will install this packaging line and expand the factory to be able to accommodate increased production by the people of Teso. The last resolution was that the officers that are said to have misappropriated funds, which were appropriated and invested by UDC in the Soroti Fruit Factory step aside as investigations are carried out. If they are found not guilty, they can be reinstated to their offices. Mr Jude Matsiko has not been staff since 2016, but more importantly, the CEO, who is the key manager of the factory, has stepped down as investigations go on. Therefore, these are the actions that we have taken on the resolutions of this House. I beg to submit.

Thank you very much, Hon. Bahati. I seem not to have heard the report on rice. You have only concentrated on Soroti, but there was also the issue of sugar.

Mr Speaker, I was coming to that and that is why I needed even more time. When the Attorney-General’s report came to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, do you know what was provided? It was nil. It is the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, which put Shs 30 billion only for this current financial year. Therefore, the Attorney-General’s office has not been budgeting for this money and we keep wondering why because that was the President’s pledge and a Government assurance, which should have been fulfilled. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development should have just provided that money. If he failed to provide the money that year, then, in the current year, they should have been able to provide. However, they provided Shs 50 billion only. Finally, Mr Speaker, after I raised this matter here, you directed the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and they have been going round. They started from Teso region. Some of us have written to appear before them here after they came back, but they are still going round. So, I think that by the time that report comes, it will be comprehensive. I do not want to repeat the issues that have been raised here. Those things happened. At one time, we shared with the Attorney-General and he did admit that there was a mistake in their office and, so, they had to top up to make it Shs 1 million. That is why the report he has come with today is showing Shs 1,050,000. However, the first payment that went - some people in my village got Shs 70,000, but it was a mistake by the people who did the first payment. I thank the Attorney-General for clarifying such that we do not keep pushing. A mistake was made, but it was corrected. People now get Shs 1,050,000 per cow. However, of course, the procedure, which the Attorney- General’s Chambers used - you cannot do a verification by only sending a list of people to the subcounty, and the officer sits in Soroti to just send a list, which does not show the number of cows, goats, the people killed. So, we are wondering; were you verifying just the name of a person? The verification should have detailed that - I think the Attorney- General should desist and follow what Court gave in a ruling, because Court gave a ruling that there must be joint verification between the Attorney-General’s office and the people who went to Court or their lawyers or their representative. However, that has never taken place and we are wondering why that has been avoided. This would have solved the problem of first pushing here and there. Finally, there are people who are still in Court. Now that the Attorney-General and the Government has admitted and started, I think this matter should be resolved because we have always had issues; there are people who are still in Court. Luckily, for me, at least, the judgment was made to enable us conclude this matter once and for all. We submitted a list of over 300,000 affected families to the Speaker’s Office and the Speaker transmitted it to the Attorney-General. It was less than 100,000 people that were presented. Therefore, I think the coming of the committee’s report and working together- what we need is working together. We shall resolve this matter.

Committee on legal, you need to look at the assignment we gave you. For example, here Hon. Alfred Edakasi from Kaberamaido is saying the committee needs to reach out to Greater Kaberamaido and Kalaki among the Kumam people. They always stop in Soroti, like the Attorney-General’s people always do. Therefore, you need to do a comprehensive reach-out. Hon. Sseggona, please, relay this message to the committee, but I will also link up with the committee. Let me pick Buganda.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I raise a matter of national importance on the phasing out of Kotido Primary Teachers’ College. Following the on-going restructuring of teacher training institutions across the country by the Ministry of Education and Sports, Kotido Primary Teachers’ College in Karamoja Subregion has been phased out. This college was opened in 1985 as a Grade III Teacher Training College on serious demand of north Karamoja after realising that Moroto Core PTC could not meet the high training needs of teachers in Karamoja subregion. It is unfortunate that even with the long struggle to attain this college, its noticeable benefits and development to the community, it has been phased out. The phasing out of this college has left the community that gave its land pondering whether to take it back because they had offered it for education of their children to be teachers. A number of stakeholders’ consultative meetings have been held in the district with the Ministry of Education and all have resolved that Kotido PTC be retained and be upgraded to a core PTC, on grounds that it has a larger catchment area coupled with long distances, which cover districts of north Karamoja, Kitgum, Agago, Pader, Otuke, Amuria, Soroti and Kapelebyong. Kotido PTC is the nearest PTC for access of students from the above catchment areas. For instance, the distance from Karenga to Moroto Core PTC, the only college in Karamoja, is 280 kilometres. One can be able to see that the available institution that trains teachers is far apart and connecting them is very difficult, coupled with insecurity. Kotido PTC has a land area of 48 acres with many structures and facilities to support teaching and learning, hence it has room for expansion. There is evidence that there is increased access, retention and completion rates of learners from primary one to -

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

Honourable members, can you all sit? We have always said this is a people-centred Parliament. We come and debate in this House for the good of our people. Even if you go to class or to school, you can only be evaluated by your performance. How shall we be evaluated? What have we done? Have we been marked anywhere? How is our performance? We can only get our performance by getting action that has been taken. When we come here, we come here as representatives of the people. We are not saying that as a Government, you should do this because we know the constraints you have. We are saying, Government, if we tell you there is this problem, have you fixed it? If it is not fixed, come and report to us that the challenges we have are A, B, C, D. I like how truthful the Attorney-General is. Whether it hurts anybody or not, he will come and report. We must applaud you for that. He will come and report whether you like it or not. What we are saying is, we want individual ministries to come and report to us and tell us - For instance, I see my good friend, Hon. Rwamirama. He would only come and report to us that on what we talked about concerning Foot and Mouth Disease, this is what we have done. That is all we need as a House. We have reports that are being made by every sectoral committee. Honourable members, we need action reports ministry by ministry. That is why we are always pushing Health to give us reports on Ebola, on COVID-19 and they come and give reports. Consolidate all the committee reports that you have got and come and report to the House whether it takes a whole week, every ministry will report. There was a report on rice by Hon. Mpaka. Up to today - leave Pinneti. There are things that affect you individually. Soroti Fruit factory, nothing. The trade committee has done us proud in this Parliament. Honourable members, since you want to be a people-centred Parliament, you need to be seen to perform. We also need to put our ministers in check. We need to help the President of Uganda. We need action reports in this House and we need the action reports on Tuesday. We will have action reports ministry by ministry. I am adjourning the House, awaiting action reports. (The House rose at 4.10 p.m. and adjourned until Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 2.00 p.m.)

6233 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT O F U GANDA TUESDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 2022 2. To analyse the type of accidents and the total admissions; 3. To conduct an in-depth analysis of the total estimated costs of road traffic accidents and to review challenges in the road safety sector in the country; and 4. To develop a policy brief and recommendation in terms of laws, training, monitoring, and specific budget allocations that policymakers can consider in addition to increasing funding. The hospitals whose data we analysed were Arua, Entebbe, Fort Portal, Gulu, Hoima, Jinja, Kabale, Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Mbarara, Mubende, Yumbe, Moroto and Naguru regional referral hospitals, and Mulago National Referral Hospital. When coming up with a cost of treatment, we interfaced with the consultants of Mulago and asked them what it costs to treat a patient who is severely injured, moderately injured or with mild injuries. We came up with the guided figures. We also looked at documents: the Annual Health Sector Performance Report, the police accident reports, reports from regional referral hospitals and so forth. Madam Speaker, let me go to some of the results on page 13. In 2018, the total number of accidents were 12,805. Of these 3,194 were fatal. In 2019, the total number of accidents are 12,858. Of these 3,407 were fatal. In 2020, 12,249 accidents occurred; 3,269 were fatal. In 2021, we had a spike, 17,443 accidents occurred and 3,757 were fatal. Madam Speaker, if I break it down to the magnitude of the injuries, and people killed: in 2018, 3,689 people died from accidents. Those seriously injured were 9,541, and those slightly injured were 1,881. In 2019, those who died were 3,880 and those seriously Injured were 9,635. Those slightly injured were 1,175. In 2020, those who were killed were 3,663, those seriously injured were 8,370, and those slightly injured were 979. Finally, in 2021, those who died were 4,159, the seriously injured were 12,589 and those slightly injured were 1,287. Madam Speaker, I would like to draw your attention to table nine. That is comparison of fatalities by road user groups. From that table - I wish the IT man could flush it - motorcyclists accounted for the biggest number of fatalities in all the four years, followed by passengers on motorcycles, followed by pedestrians. There is clear evidence to show that motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s, are the biggest cause of injuries but most importantly, deaths from road traffic accidents. Page 15: causes of the crashes. We had reckless or careless driving, over speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, and cars in dangerous mechanical conditions; the causes are up there. I would like to draw your attention to page 21: total admissions. Table 12 on page 21 shows the highest number of cases of admissions due to motorcycles, commonly known as boda boda s. If we break it down by sex, males were certainly more affected and these were males above five years, compared to females. I think it is quite clear on the table. I would like to draw your attention to table 22: again, the problem is boda boda s. Madam Speaker, on the issue of the costs that we pay, that is page 34 - Mr IT, can you please move to page 34? - We broke it down into the costs based on critical level four, critical level three and critical level one. The overall daily cost that we spend on treating accidents is Shs 877 million monthly. It comes to Shs 26 billion and annually, it comes to Shs 315 billion. That is what the sector needs to be able to treat victims of accidents. As Chairperson of the Committee on Health, I know very well that we do not appropriate this amount of money for accidents and

Thank you, former Leader of the Opposition. Sorry about your car which was arrested. At least the car was arrested, but you were not. The question I would ask is: what were you doing in Soroti?

6188 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME [The Speaker] adopted by this House? When do we get an action taken report? For instance, the reports on Soroti Fruit Factory, Atiak – Hon. Mpaka, please come and remind us about your reports. Let us finish with the actions.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. There was a report on the rice, the Soroti Fruit Factory and on the fuel crisis.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I am happy with the statement. We were actually appreciating that we are happy with the re- organisation of the markets. You got it wrong. We said we are happy with the re-organisation that is happening in Kampala. However, we want this to go even outside Kampala and we re-organise other parts as well. (Applause) We want you to go to Soroti, Kakumiro, Bududa, Mbale; go to all those areas because Madam Prime Minister, truth be told, what you are doing is a good job; let it not stop in metropolitan Kampala. We need a law in place. This House made a law that we need in place. When we made the law, but we do not know what happened to it because it has never been returned. We do not know. That is what we want to know from Government.

6128 THE A L COHOL CONTROL BILL, 2022 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT iii) The ministry has also embarked on creating awareness among the masses. Sensitisation meetings were also undertaken by both technical and political leaders from the ministry and districts. This was intended to make sure that all stakeholders adhere to and comply with quarantine restrictions and other disease control measures to prevent the spread of FMD. Farmers and producers were also encouraged to implement biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction and spread of FMD virus. Madam Speaker, in an effort to prevent and control the spread of FMD, the ministry is facing a number of challenges and these include: i. Inadequate funding; ii. Inadequate diagnostic services at the regional and district veterinary laboratories to allow timely detection responses to disease outbreaks; iii. Inadequate disease surveillance and outbreak investigations. Surveillance provides information, which is critical in establishing early warning systems for every detected disease early enough to allow timely responses to be carried out. This is constrained by inadequate funding and logistical support. I, however, want to inform the House that in an effort to address this, we are putting up - almost completed - a diagnostics centre at Agwata Livestock Farm in Nwoya District to take care of Northern Uganda and another one at Sanga Field Station to take care of western and Midwest, while the central and eastern parts of the country continue to use Entebbe. We are also planning to put another one in Soroti and another one in Hoima in the near future. i. Abandonment of roles by local district administrators to mobilise communities to comply to quarantine restrictions by the ministry. We have had a challenge with some leaders; when we put quarantine restrictions, for them, they are interested in revenue and so, they break the quarantine restriction. Others do not report and this causes a lot of problems and actually, fuels the spread of the disease. Conclusion Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries wishes to assure the country that we are doing our best within limited resources to fight animal diseases and in particular, FMD and request the support of all honourable colleagues. I would like to urge the political leadership in this country to have a united front in creating awareness on the impact of animal diseases - revenue foregone - and the importance of adhering to the guidelines of animal disease and control provided by the veterinary- competent authority. Thank you, for your attention, Madam Speaker. (Applause)

Thank you very. Mr Speaker, my concern is about the Uganda Cancer Institute, whereby they are saying National Planning Authority (NPA) has delayed certifying their strategic work plan. I think that is betrayal by our own institutions. We all know the challenges that the cancer institute is facing. When it takes this long and the Auditor-General raises a red flag that NPA is the one that delayed certifying their strategic plan - I appeal to the finance minister -my big brother, Hon. Henry Musasizi – to, kindly, prevail over NPA to ensure that it helps us in sorting out this challenge. The other one is to do with Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, where we are being told of the capacity to handle cases, especially when it was –(Member timed out.)

Hon. Mwesigwa, the MP for Hoima East Division, wanted to know why the country has delayed validation and the approval of staff structures for the newly-created cities and its effect on service delivery. Mr Speaker, in January 2022, Cabinet under, Minute 21 (CT 2022) approved the 10 cities in Uganda and the structures for the 10 cities to implement. The following actions have been taken: 1. The structures were customised to enable the cities come up with individual human resource structures that address their uniqueness; 2. The customised city structures have been adopted by the respective city councils and implementation guidelines for the said structures have been prepared and disseminated to the city authorities; 3. The job descriptions and person specifications were prepared to enable the City Service Commissions place the existing staff and recruit the right people in the right jobs; Mr Speaker, validation of the existing staff, formally belonging to the respective municipalities and annexed areas from the mother districts, was also done and successfully concluded in all the 10 cities of Hoima, Masaka, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Soroti, Jinja, Mbale, Lira, Gulu and Arua.

Mr Speaker, the Attorney- General together with the President were in Soroti this year, and we commissioned the compensation exercise for that region; northern, eastern and West Nile. A total of Shs 50 billion has already been spent and I believe the people of Adjumani will also get supported.

Mr Speaker, on the 8 th of this month, students of Soroti University went on strike, protesting the non- payment of the living-out allowance and faculty allowance. I have also learnt that it is not only in Soroti University, but all universities in the country. My question is: What has caused the delayed payment or non-payment? Secondly, the security cameras in Soroti City are dead. Recently, a boy called Geoffrey Eboi was murdered in Nakatunya. The police failed to trace the culprit because the cameras were dead. This is a security matter. What is the police doing about this?

Where has the minister gone? (Laughter) Mr Speaker, regarding the security cameras in Soroti, we shall investigate and come up with an answer. On the strikes by our university students, I request that you give me time to investigate and come back here to report.

5955 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2022 people who, whenever they are referred for scanning, have to come to Mulago or go to Aber Hospital. In Financial Year 2021/2022, we budgeted for CT scans. Where are the CT scans – or where is the CT scan for Gulu Regional Referral Hospital? When are we receiving it? They are saying “even Soroti”. When are we receiving these CT scans to reduce the burden on our people? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, thank you for the work that you have so far done for the country. The people of Kumi are crying because they have not been compensated for cattle, whereas their peers in other regions - Soroti and other districts - have gotten the money. What could be their problem? And, when are they getting their money? Thank you.

5673 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 e. A statement of the actions taken by the vote to implement the recommendations of Parliament, in respect of the report of the Auditor-General in the preceding financial year. Regulation 11(3) of the Public Finance Management Regulations, 2016, requires that a vote prepares work plans that indicate the outputs of a vote for the financial year. The committee observed that a significant number of votes failed and/or neglected to comply with the statutory provisions. This had serious implications on the alignment of activities to policy statements, thereby distorting planning and the implementation of Government programmes, thereby compromising service delivery. The committee notes that most accounting officers did not know how to quantify the activities, so as to align them with the budget and strategic plans. In most cases, they reported performance in generic terms such as medical supplies, maintenance and equipment purchased - This is difficult to ascertain in detail the activities and/ or items. The committee further observed that failure to provide details of the quantified activities renders assessment of performance impossible, which compromises accountability. The budget is distorted and proper planning is inhibited. It was clear to the committee throughout the hearings that entities lacked qualified staff to properly handle the quantification function. In Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, for example, the officer charged with the function was an orthopaedic officer. The committee recommends as follows: 1. All entities should hire qualified personnel dedicated to the quantification function and should receive regular and adequate training; 2. All entities that fail to comply with Section 13(15) of the PFMA or that delay to submit their quantified outputs should be sanctioned and have their budgets rejected; and 3. All entities, without exception, should mandatorily submit their quantified outputs for effective assessment of their performance in relation to the budget. Implementation of quantified outputs Section 13(15)(b) of the PFMA, 2015 states that a policy statement submitted by vote shall contain an annual and three months’ work plans, outputs, targets and performance indicators of work plans . Equally, Regulation 11(3) of the PFMR, 2016 requires the vote to prepare work plans that indicate the outputs of the vote for the financial year, the indicators that are to be used to gauge the performance of the outputs and funds allocated to each activity. From the report of the Auditor-General, most votes under the health sector did not implement their outputs fully. Many accounting officers the committee interacted with attributed this to partial implementation of the lockdown instituted by the Government at the time, as a measure to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. It should be noted, however, that although COVID-19 disruptions were a reality, health workers were categorised as essential workers at the time and, therefore, were expected to carry on implementation of some of the planned activities. The committee notes that the number of staff at these institutions had been significantly reduced at the time of the lockdown, which hampered the implementation of the quantified outputs. In the Kawempe National Referral Hospital, for example, the Auditor-General noted that out of eight sampled outputs, only two were fully implemented, leaving six partially implemented, while Lira Regional Referral Hospital was noted to have partially implemented only one, with a total of six

5674 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT activities worth Shs 2.32 billion. Out of the six activities, only two were implemented fully, leaving four partially implemented. The same cases of partial implementation can be cited in Mubende, Entebbe, Soroti and Jinja Regional Referral Hospitals. The committee recommends that accounting officers should ensure that the planned and approved outputs are fully implemented. Submission of accurate quarterly performance reports The Auditor-General reported disregard of timelines especially in submitting quarterly performance reports by most regional referral hospitals. This contravenes Section 21(3) of the PFMA, 2015, and the Treasury Instructions of 2017, which require the accounting officers to prepare reports for each quarter of the financial year, and that it should be submitted to the Treasury not later than 15 days after the end of each quarter. Most of the accounting officers the committee interacted with showed demonstrated lack of awareness and appreciation of these timelines, and seemed not briefed by their respective hospital administrators, who, in most cases, equally demonstrated lack of knowledge of the process. Mr Speaker, lack of knowledge simply means ignorance. The committee observes that failure to submit performance reports in time and failure to prepare monitoring plans affects timely tracking and evaluation of performance. The committee, therefore, recommends that: 1. The accounting officers should prepare budget monitoring plans and reports to facilitate performance tracking within the stipulated timelines; and 2. Accounting officers should ensure that their planners are up to date with those statutory submissions in terms of timelines, and strictly adhere to them at all times. Absorption of funds A number of entities were noted in the report of the Auditor-General to have failed to optimally absorb the funds that were allocated to them, causing money to be swept back to the Treasury. These funds were mostly meant for wage, gratuity and pension that were not fully paid by the end of the financial year. Most accounting officers attributed this to delays in recruitment by the Health Service Commission and the Ministry of Public Service. The committee had a chance to interact with the Health Service Commission on the matter and noted that the long bureaucratic process of recruitment that reportedly takes an average of five months was partly to blame for the delays in recruitment. While interacting with some of these entities, the committee discovered that majority of the affected accounting officers did not seek a revision of their budget and work plan as provided for under Section 17(3) of the PFMA, 2015. For example, Mulago National Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 63,573,318,357, received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 59,379,356,427 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 4,193,961,930, representing an absorption level of 93.4 per cent. Lira Regional Referral Hospital had a total warrant of Shs 11,498,592,809 received during the financial year, out of which, Shs 9,631,737,017 was spent, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 1,866,855,792, representing an absorption capacity or level of 83.8 per cent. Mubende Regional Referral Hospital had total receipts of Shs 11,297,149,897 in the financial year, out of which, 9,155,075,000, representing 81 per cent was spent by the entity, resulting in an unspent balance of Shs 2,142,074,897, representing an absorption rate of 19 per cent. The committee also noted, with concern, a growing trend by the Ministry of Finance,

5817 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 2022 This model has an option of either contributing food in kind or cash for food rations. We all know that feeding is important for the health of our children and how poor learning, absenteeism and school dropout are partly caused by hunger in schools. Mr Speaker, Government started a pilot project to engage parents to start contributing towards feeding their children while at school, targeting at least one million children within Kampala Metropolitan Area – covering Entebbe, Kira, Makindye, Mukono and Nansana municipalities – and later to have it extended to the districts of Jinja, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Hoima, Kabale, Arua, Kabarole and Masaka, if well implemented. Government has secured a partnership between the Ministry of Education Sports and SNV Uganda, a Netherlands Development Organisation, which will help in subsidising the parents. As such, the parents will contribute between Shs 10,000 and Shs 20,000 each term to ensure their children are fed on milk at school. Mr Speaker, milk was chosen because it provides bone-building nutrients, specifically, calcium, vitamin D and magnesium, which are of high nutrition for both good health and development. Government has entered into partnership with processors who will design specific milk and yoghurt products for school children and distribute about 250mls (per quarter pint) of milk to each child per day for five days. Mr Speaker, the targeted level of school is pre- primary, primary and secondary school. We, therefore, urge honourable members and parents to embrace this programme for the better health of our children in schools and to improve their learning. Hon. Ronald Akugizibwe, Member of Parliament, Buruuli County, Masindi District. He said: “Census is a critical planning tool, which helps governments to plan for the future in terms of schools, hospitals, roads, urban infrastructure and more. For Vision 2020 to be achieved there is need to plan based on reliable statistics.” His prayer is that I update this august House on when Government intends to carry out a housing and population census. Mr Speaker, on Monday, 12 September 2022, Cabinet approved a plan to carry out a housing and population census, scheduled for 24 to 25 August 2023. The process is estimated to cost Shs 330 billion, which Government will mobilise in two financial years; that is, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. The census will enable Government to establish the number of houses, the people and budget accordingly, in terms of service delivery to various regions. The census will be done digitally and data uploaded directly to the central server in Kampala. Mr Speaker, this year, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, through the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, shall be procuring information technology (IT) devices, which will be used in the exercise. After the census, the smart gadgets will be used to carry out other studies such as agricultural census and administrative statistics, among others. Question No.5 came from Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth MP. She said: “There are about 13 million people in urban centres in the country. Over 50 per cent of Ugandans, by the year 2050, will be in cities, yet housing is still a challenge in urban centres. Last week, His Excellency the President launched a multi-billion housing project in Lubowa, under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).” She asked: “What is the status of Solana- Lubowa Housing Project and its benefit to the people of Uganda?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that on Thursday, 8 September 2022, His Excellency the President commissioned the first phase of the Shs 1.4 trillion Solana-Lubowa Housing Project.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My issue is about Soroti Regional Referral Hospital. In July, the Prime Minister was in Soroti and promised that she would work on the floodlights in the theatre, but up to now, the people in theatre are using torches other than the floodlights. Secondly, we have only one delivery bed on the maternity side, and it is as new as 1954. My question is: When are you delivering on the promise you made to us in Soroti City?

It is true I was in Soroti. (Laughter) You know the results: Hon. Ariko is there. I want to commit Government that we shall work on those floodlights. Let me now direct my sister here: Go and take floodlights to the theatre. (Applause)

Mr Speaker, I will liaise with the Attorney-General and I believe he will come with an answer. For cattle, we started and launched that programme in June in Soroti. But for these other properties, I will liaise with the Attorney-General.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I join the House in paying tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. I remember her when the royal family sent funds for the construction of Princess Diana Memorial Hospital in Soroti District; a hospital that now serves the people of Teso and Soroti at large, including those from my constituency and my people in Gweri County. (Applause) That is why I remember her so much. I feel like I should join those travelling to bury her. (Laughter) I thank you.

Madam Speaker, like you have said, the President launched this programme in Soroti last financial year, and Shs 50 billion was given out. I request that you allow me to instruct the Attorney-General to give us a report on who benefited from this money. Afterwards, we can institute a forensic audit so that we get concrete information on who received this money.

Madam Speaker, last week on Thursday, the Minister of Public Service undertook to come to the House and give us an update as to what has been done about the claims made by the family of the late Robert Ekino, who left us about 34 years ago in a very nasty incidence, having been killed by the rebels in the bush. And right up to now, the family of Robert Ekino has not got the adequate gratuity as expected. In fact, Madam Speaker, we felt the family was insulted by being informed formally by a letter written by the Attorney-General, that the only money due to the family of Robert Ekino was Shs 32,000. And Shs 32,000 by my own crude calculation cannot transport one person from Soroti or in this case, from Kaberamaido to Kampala, to come and claim that money. Therefore, Madam Speaker, all the details concerning the claims were given to the minister and also laid on the Table, and the minister undertook to give us the information last Thursday. Unfortunately, because of our engagement, we were not able to see it. So, I am seeking your indulgence to find out whether the minister is ready so that we can receive the information. If not, maybe you can guide us accordingly. Thank you.

2396 2397 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT The committee discovered that in Gulu City, the local leaders/ politicians, such as councillors that were meant to supervise and provide oversight, took over and abused the process by registering their relatives and themselves as beneficiaries. In situations where the local councils rendered support through identification and registration of beneficiaries, these lists were put aside during data entry and replaced with other beneficiaries. When the committee interrogated further, it was discovered that over 10 councillors, the speaker and former LC III chairperson of Layibi Division, for example, registered and benefited from the fund. Arua City and Kitgum Municipality had almost similar cases of abuse of the process by administrators. In Mbale, some city council staff were registered and benefited. The Lord Mayor Kampala Capital City Authority revealed to the committee that in Kampala, the DISOs abused the process by registering beneficiaries along party lines. The committee further noted that in some cases, the compilation of the list was left to chairpersons of associations of the different trade categories, in total disregard of the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, instructing that the compilation be carried out using existing administrative records. In Tororo Municipality, for example, the chairpersons of different trade categories took advantage of this loophole by registering beneficiaries along political party and social relation lines. There were also allegations of extortion by the chairperson of the boda boda association in Tororo Municipality, who was alleged to have been asking beneficiaries to part with Shs 15,000 to be registered. Relatedly, in Fort Portal City, some town agents were also accused of asking for between Shs 30,000 and Shs 40,000 before one was registered or their national ID would be retained until the money would be cleared. Recommendations 1. The committee recommends that the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development holds accountable all Town Clerks who negated on their roles and responsibilities during this exercise by delegating their functions without proper supervision, as this amounted to neglect of duty. Additionally, all officers responsible for the abuse of this exercise by registering themselves in disregard of the vulnerable, be reprimanded. 2. The committee further recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social development should ensure that administrative records like tax registers in all cities, municipalities as well as other administrative units are updated by registering all formal and informal businesses. This would ease identification and verification of beneficiaries of such an exercise in the future. Term of reference No.2: Ascertain the criteria used to select and identify the beneficiaries According to the National Social Protection Policy, 2005, vulnerability is defined as “limited ability to manage risks or cope with shocks that may lead to undignified lives”. While appearing before the committee, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development submitted that the Cabinet defined the vulnerable in the context of the lockdown to mean “those who were engaged in employment at the time of COVID-19 lockdown and depended on daily earnings, which were disrupted”. The committee notes that there was no standard selection formula used in selecting beneficiaries in the targeted areas. In most of the cities and municipalities, the principle of “first come, first served” was applied. As a result, many categories of would-be beneficiaries were left out and for those who benefited, resources were not equitably distributed amongst the categories. For example, more people 3. We met with the town clerks, city/ municipal mayors, RCC/RDCs and other stakeholders in the following locations: a) Soroti City, Mbale City, Arua City, Gulu City, Lira City, Fort Portal City, Hoima City, Mbarara City and Masaka City. b) Tororo Municipality, Masindi Municipality, Ntungamo Municipality, Kumi Municipality and Kitgum Municipality. i) The committee also carried out on- spot visits and verification at a number of boda boda stages, taxi parks, street vendors and special hire operators to try and ascertain the terms of reference. ii) We analysed documents submitted by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, the town clerks of municipalities/cities, KCCA Lord Mayor and other stakeholders that the committee interacted with. iii) The committee also carried out random telephone calls, which were made to the selected beneficiaries from the list provided by the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. Whereas, the committee was desirous of visiting all cities and municipalities that received the COVID-19 relief fund, it could only afford to visit the selected few due to time and budgetary constraints. Observations Madam Speaker, the committee was informed that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development approved the COVID-19 emergency fund, amounting to Shs 53.5 billion to cover all 501,107 targeted beneficiaries. Out of these numbers, a total of Shs 2.854 billion was spent on administrative costs and Shs 50.6 billion was transferred to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development account in Post Bank to facilitate direct transfers to the chosen beneficiaries. During the meeting with the committee, Post Bank informed the meeting that the bank had since received 488,272 total transaction instructions from the Ministry of Gender and successfully processed 487,307. Payments had since closed, according to the Ministry of Gender, with a balance of about Shs 1.43 billion lying on its account. Term of reference 1: Establish who compiled the lists of beneficiaries in the different locations. The committee observed that COVID-19 and its resultant effects, as occasioned by the lockdown, needed to be treated as a disaster and, therefore, it was wrong for the Government not to involve the Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Management in its response, given its rich expertise in personnel and structures down to the local Governments. Although the town clerks were supposed to be in charge of compilation of the list of beneficiaries as stipulated in the guidelines, the committee noted that this was done mostly through delegation. In Soroti, Arua, Hoima, Mbarara and Fort Portal cities, for example, the town clerks were newly posted and therefore, delegated their deputies to undertake the exercise. This was, however, done with little, if any, supervision. The committee observed that the delegation of this responsibility without sufficient supervision, made the exercise susceptible to abuse, as the data collected by those delegated was greatly manipulated. Many would-be beneficiaries were left out, especially private school teachers and restaurant workers, as the committee found out in almost all locations visited. In Fort Portal City, the deputy town clerk monopolised the whole exercise. In Arua, most of the data entry clerks that carried out the exercise were volunteers/interns who took advantage and registered themselves and other persons in the different categories.

2398 2399 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 2022 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT As noted earlier, in most locations visited by the committee, this exercise was marred by irregularities. Officials who were assigned the responsibility to carry out the exercise negated on their duties. There was also poor co-ordination between the offices responsible and the grassroot structures as such as GISOs, DISOs, RCCs/RDCs, LCI and town agents in the supervision and verification of the beneficiaries, which led to abuse of the process. Whereas in Masaka and Lira cities, the RCCs actively participated in the exercise, in Ntungamo Municipality and Mbarara City, the elected leaders were not involved at all. In Mbale City, the Office of RCC was denied the opportunity to verify the beneficiaries in the Office of the Town Clerk. As such, about 1,500 persons were verified out of the over 9,000 that benefited. In Arua city, the RCC and the Mayor only got to receive a report on the exercise while meeting the committee. There was no structural framework involving all leaders to ensure a co-ordinated execution. This led to people, who were not intended to benefit, taking part of the fund. It is worth noting that a few random telephone calls made by the committee to the beneficiaries revealed that some persons did not receive payments whereas their names are captured as having received relief and in the list provided. The committee could not, however, establish the accuracy of such assertions as the payments were made privately through their telephones and they could have deleted the confirmation messages. A one Ssewankambo Bashir Mbale captured in the list as having been paid under the bus/taxi conductor category denied having received the money when the committee called him. A one Oloya Geoffrey from Gulu purported to have been the first beneficiary of the relief fund under the boda-boda category could not be traced. When the committee consulted the boda-boda Association in Gulu, they denied him being a member and alleged that the Oloya in question is, in fact, a builder. While interacting with the committee, the Gulu City officials informed the meeting that their efforts to reach out to Oloya were futile. The committee noted that not all persons registered received the money due to various reasons, such as disparities in the names registered vis-à-vis those that appear in their NIN, using one’s NIN to register many telephone numbers and incomplete information, among others. The Committee further noted that there was an option in the guidelines to pay persons who qualified and were in possession of NIN, but had no telephones through the bank post. However, many would-be beneficiaries with these cases were ignored and replaced hence leaving out a big number. Recommendations 1. The Ministry of Gender considers verifying and giving relief to the vulnerable who had already been identified within the quota range but were left out due to errors in the information. This should be done before the end of October 2021; and 2. In future, systems designed for this kind of exercise should cater for vulnerable persons without phones and persons with disability. Term of reference number five was on how much money the beneficiaries received. We have indicated the figures and the committee recommends that should such an intervention be necessary in the future, the rates should be based on the current cost of living. We did observe before the recommendation on how we arrive at that conclusion. Term of reference number six was to establish the roles played by the different stakeholders. We have examined the same at page 17 and came to the conclusion that the committee recommends that should such an exercise be necessary in the future, elected leaders should be involved from the onset to give it ownership. benefited under the boda boda category than food vendors, salonists and car washers. In Mbale, the committee noted that the number of support staff who benefited in private schools was more than the teachers in those schools, which is not logical. In Tororo, a total number of 1,402 slum residents benefited, representing 37 per cent of the entire threshold, as compared to three vehicle loaders. In Soroti, the committee interacted with Mr Saleh Babu Opwonya, the Chairperson Teso Coach Stage, who intimated that out of the 75 members he registered, none of them received relief. Meanwhile, his counterpart, Mr Abdu Mugisha, the Gateway Bus Company chairperson, revealed that out of the 56 members he registered, 48 benefited. In Fort Portal, at Kampala-Kyenjojo Taxi Stage, 60 members were registered and on Kampala Road Boda Boda Stage, 132 members were registered but none of them received relief. These inequities meant that certain categories benefited more to the disadvantage of others. Suffice to note that the Government was able to set thresholds for beneficiaries in all the cities/ municipalities but did not consider setting out a workable formula to be used to equitably share the quotas. The committee noted that for success to be achieved in Lira City, identification was done based on the area of operation and business location for each category. Leadership structures for each category also supported the registration and verification process. Consequently, internal structures were put in place where the compiled lists were first submitted to the DISOs’ office and both physical verification and phone call verification was done to ascertain authenticity of the submitted lists. Once approved, the list would be submitted back to the Town Clerk for data entry. Other cities and municipalities did not fully verify their lists. Cognisant of the directive of the ministry to display the lists generated in public places within urban areas for purposes of updating and verification, with supervision of warden administrators and support of village health teams, the committee noted that across all the cities and municipalities, this directive was defied. This was attributed to limited time, technicalities in the online system, bulk and sensitivity of information. In the committee’s view, the display was avoided as it would expose the irregularities and abuse of the process. Nonetheless, if a display was to be done, raw data would have been the one to be displayed as and when the lists would come through. The committee recommends, therefore, that; 1. The Ministry of Local Government should, in liaison with UBOS, support the local government administrative units to set up a more robust database for future use. 2. In future, if such an activity reoccurs, the Ministry of Local Government should ensure that Town Clerks strictly adhere to the set guidelines. Term of reference No.3: Verify the list of people who received the money Madam Speaker, the observations here are contained on pages 12 to 13. I would wish to proceed directly to the recommendations, following the observations. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development should consider giving relief to residents of Ayivu Division and Northern Division of Arua and Fort Portal cities, respectively. This flows from the observations that there were no benefits to them. Term of reference No.4: Verify and establish whether the intended beneficiaries actually received the money.