Tororo District

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Today I stand to appreciate His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the State-of-the-Nation Address, particularly focusing on wealth creation. For this country to stop depending on subsistence farming, wealth creation is important, and he identified commercial agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Along those lines, he spoke of some enablers. Now, in the enablers, the one I am particularly going to focus on is the Standard Gauge Railway. Our neighbour, Kenya started the 107-kilometre stretch from Kisumu to Malaba in March, and on completion, they would have finished 1000 kilometres. As Uganda, we are six years behind. Now, despite getting €650 million in funding, we are missing out. Six major towns are going to get workshops, six major towns are going to get employment, and there is going to be a 40 per cent decline in costs for transportation. The time from here to Nairobi would be four hours, and we would be a regional hub for Central and East Africa. I would like to urge this House and the relevant ministries - there is a small challenge, especially in my constituency. The owners of the land that was taken for the railway have not been compensated, especially Kasoli. Alongside the railway, we need roads. Being a border district, Tororo has failed to benefit from our geographical advantage because of poor roads. That is the only highway taking us to Kenya, and there is no expansion on that highway. With those few remarks, I want to thank His Excellency for a wonderful speech, and we will commit to working with him in Kisanjja hakuna kulala . Thank you very much. (Applause)

Hon. Mwiru, you can understand. The second-to-last issue concerned the honourable member from Gomba, who said that the President has been threatening to fight corruption. I have a different view. The President is not threatening, but is actually taking action, and the writing is on the wall. We are happy and glad to be having a President who says what he means and means what he says. He is walking the talk, and we should be proud of our President. (Applause) Hon. Molly asked an important question and said, “As sector commanders, what are you doing to fulfil the intention of the President in the State of the Nation Address?” In our sector of industry, we are focusing on creating value for the things that we are producing, especially agro-industrialisation and also import substitution. We would like to manufacture everything we import into the country. For example, honourable colleagues, you may need to know that almost 40 per cent of the honey taken in European countries is made in laboratories, yet here in Kabale, Buganda and Arua, we have a lot of honey. For example, our focus now is on processing honey so that we can export it to these countries – (Applause) - so that they get out of this honey made in laboratories and start enjoying the natural honey that comes from Africa. Lt Gen. Kavuma, I cannot agree with you anymore. We have made good progress over time. We used to import sugar, but now we have excess sugar and also industrial sugar. The sugar that is used to produce soda and others is processed here from Kinyara. We used to import carbon dioxide which is used in soda. We now have factories that manufacture it. We are currently importing close to $1 billion of steel and steel products, but we have now almost set up factories that have reduced this import substantially. So, we are producing steel here. Companies like Roofings and Tembo are setting up in Tororo and Kigezi Subregion to take advantage of the iron ore stocks that we have in our country, which is approximately 312 million tonnes. We want to utilise this to produce steel and steel products. Mr Speaker, the statement of the President was very important and I am glad that Members of Parliament are appreciating it. Let us join hands with the President to industrialise our country,

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am concerned. I know we are discussing Hon. Beatrice Anywar’s statement but, as Gen. Masiko and I would say, these things are interlinked. On the 26 th of last month, none other than the Vice President of Uganda marshalled all the Members of Parliament of Bukedi, took some to Tororo and others to Katakwi, to launch coffee distribution. At that time, she assured us that she had gotten the weather forecast from the Government and that the rains would start at the end of that month. When we went to Tororo, she had a full truck of seedlings; 50,000 that were being distributed to prospective farmers. What do you think has happened to those coffee seedlings? Therefore, I think there is a big problem of coordination within Government. It is becoming increasingly difficult to rely on official statements by government officials, including, unfortunately in this case, the Vice President. Now, how can we even attempt to rely on the statement of the Minister of State for Water? (Applause) This is a very serious matter.

I have already informed the Minister of Works and Transport about Nalugugu Bridge that connects Mbale, Sironko, Bulambuli, Sebei up to Suam Border Point. Floods washed away this bridge last year and up to now, it has not been reconstructed. They created a diversion for cars. There are big Tororo Cement trucks that have so far killed 11 people, as at 30 th June 2026. People are always dying from the same spot because when the trucks come from different directions at the same time, they crush people in the small section of the diversion. Minister of Works and Transport, when are you finishing the construction of this bridge? Floods are going to wash away the temporary one. In our area, we know that we are going to have floods every year. It is only a matter of time. When the floods come, they will wash away even the other one you have put.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do not intend not to recognise the nominations by my side of Government, but I tend to make an observation. By law, and you, as our chairperson, Mr Speaker, we think that you preside over the point of equity in this House. You have said it right that we may not be able to change it, but we want it to go on record. When I look at the composition of the commission under the Administration of Parliament Act, first of all, we have members who are designated automatically by their positions. That is the Speaker of Parliament, who comes from Tororo, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament from Mitooma, and the Prime Minister of the Government of Uganda, who is from Kakumiro, which is Western Uganda. The Minister of Finance is from Rubanda, and that is Western Uganda. I would not think that we here in Parliament have much to do because that is for the appointing authority. Regarding the remaining positions, it would be a matter of natural justice for this House to treat their composition equitably. I am looking at the central region, with almost one hundred members of Parliament, yet it is not represented on the commission. Much as we may not have much to do, it should go on record. Is it worth it? Is it really genuine? Is it okay for us to keep quiet? I would have kept quiet –

147 THE TWELFTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 JUNE 2026 ii. To date, 297 kilometres of roads have been paved, several roads have been rehabilitated and maintained, and eight major road junctions have been signalled to improve traffic flow and road safety. iii. Mr Speaker, Kampala made history as the first city in Africa to be inducted into the International Network of Tree Cities in the world. The Government will continue building on this heritage and global recognition. iv. In this regard, the Government has prioritised implementation of a clean- up exercise involving restoration of wetlands and green spaces, enforcing integrated physical planning including pedestrian-friendly roads, enforcing trade order and restrictions on all forms of pollution, especially noise. Water transport Mr Speaker, the Government has constructed, maintained and operated 15 ferries to connect island communities to markets and services. The Buyende-Kagwara-Kaberamaido (BKK) ferry has commenced operations. Two ferries on Lake Bunyonyi in Kabale are under construction and are expected to begin service by June 2027. Preliminary works for the Bukasa inland port are nearly complete, paving the way for the commencement of the actual construction. Railway transport Mr Speaker, the Government has commenced construction of the 273-kilometre Standard Gauge Railway from Malaba to Kampala. Upon completion, container transport costs from Mombasa to Kampala are projected to fall from about $3,500 to roughly $ 1,600 and transit time from five days to one day. Rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway reached 66 per cent completion, while the Kampala-Mukono section has been completed. Air transport Mr Speaker, about air transport: a) Physical works for Kabalega International Airport are complete. The Government is now finalising operational requirements to get the airport ready for the first oil and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. b) Construction of Kidepo International Airport is underway to boost tourism in Karamoja. c) Phase I of Entebbe International Airport’s rehabilitation and expansion is complete. With a new passenger terminal and expanded cargo facility, the passenger terminal capacity has risen from 2.0 million to 3.5 million travellers per year. d) Twelve regional aerodromes have been maintained to support regional connectivity for tourism and trade. e) The Government is strengthening Uganda Airlines as critical transport infrastructure to enhance international connectivity for tourism, trade, investment, and the diaspora. In order to enhance operational efficiency, expand and modernise the fleet, the Government is further capitalising the airline by acquiring eight additional new passenger aircraft. The Financial Year 2026/2027 priorities for transport Mr Speaker, Shs 8.79 trillion has been allocated next financial year for transport infrastructure development. The priority areas will include: i. Construction of the Malaba-Kampala Standard Gauge Railway and completion of rehabilitation of the meter gauge railway. ii. Construction, upgrade and maintenance of national, city, district, urban and community access roads. iii. Construction and maintenance of strategic bridges. iv. Development of water transport systems such as ferries and ports. v. Operationalisation of Kabalega International Airport and continued upgrade of regional aerodromes. vi. Expansion of the Uganda Airlines.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In my maiden speech, I stand to support the loan. I feel it is a favourable time to borrow given that the country has a stable inflation rate and stable exchange rate, which is a benefit. With $66.7 billion in average revenue within 10 years, we will surpass the principal amount we are borrowing. Therefore, it will be beneficial. It will improve the local economy. As Tororo, we are looking for a cash crop. With this and coffee, it will benefit the people of Tororo. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency. Notification for the coffee meeting in Bukedi and Teso is taken. In Tororo, we had cotton and it is not adding up. I am told the Member of Parliament from Sheema District was an accountant. She was denied the opportunity to speak and give testimony about this project during its Phase I. Let us take note that next time, minister, you should know she was a consultant who assessed the project. You can imagine the kind of people we have here. Honourable minister? Is there a point of procedure? We have exhausted.

Your Lordship the Chief Justice, I would like to make this statement in support of the nomination of Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, Member of Parliament for West Budama Central County, for election as Speaker of the 12 th Parliament. Your Lordship the Chief Justice, in accordance with Rule 5(8) of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of Uganda, I have the singular honour to nominate and present to you, for election as Speaker of the 12 th Parliament, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, the Member of Parliament for West Budama Central County. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth, fondly called “Oboth Oboth”, was born on 13 April 1971 in Tororo District. Being an advocate of superior and subordinate courts in Uganda, Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth possesses a solid legal foundation that equips him with professional skills to preside over the parliamentary processes effectively. Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth possesses various academic qualifications, including the following: a) Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Minnesota Law School, USA (August 2006 to May 2007); b) Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Law Development Centre (2001 to 2002); c) Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda (1997 to 2001); d) Certificate in Project Planning and Management from the International Law Institute, Washington D.C. (October 2005); e) Two certificates in Procurement and International Property Enforcement from the International Development Law Organisation in Rome, Italy (2003); f) Certificate in Management from Uganda Management Institute, Uganda (1999); g) Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education from Tororo High School (1995 to 1997); h) He was at St Dennis Ssebugwawo School -

7. Nankwanga Stellamaris Woman Representative Bugweri Independent 8. Nanzala Metrine Namisindwa County Namisindwa NRM 9. Nassolo Eugenia Rubaga Division South Kampala NUP 10. Nawe Molly Kamukama Woman Representative Kazo NRM 11. Ndeezi Alex PWD Representative N/A NRM 12. Ngabirano Charles Rwampara East County Rwampara Independent 13. Ninsiima Evelyne Woman Representative Rubanda Independent 14. Nnamara Annet Oyes Byamukama Woman Representative Buhweju NRM 15. Nyakato Asinansi City Woman Representative Hoima City PFF 16. Namujju Cissy Dionizia Woman Representative Lwengo NRM 17. Nyakato Dorothy Woman Representative Kitagwenda NRM 18. Namutaawe Joan Woman Representative Masaka NUP 19. Nayebale Sylivia Woman Representative Gomba NRM 20. Naziiwa Margret Woman Representative Kagadi NRM 21. Nkunyingi Muwada Kyadondo County East Wakiso NUP 22. Nuria Hafsa Teko Woman Representative Kotido Independent 23. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County Bulambuli NRM 24. Nyeko Johnson Kezekiya Lamwo County Lamwo NRM 25. Obong Peter Acuda Maruzi County Apac UPC 26. Obong Vincent Shedrick Lira West Division Lira City UPC 27. Okiding Sam (Lt Gen.) UPDF Representative N/A N/A 28. Ofwono Opondo P’Odel Older Person’s Representative Eastern NRM 29. Ocen Geoffery Kioga North County Amolatar UPC 30. 3Ogwal Joseph Jones Dokolo North County Dokolo NRM 31. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu City NRM 32. Nameere Justine Woman Representative Masaka City NRM 33. Nkrumah Roland Bufumbira County East Kisoro NRM 34. 3Ojiit Peter Pingire County Serere Independent 35. Ntabazi Harriet Bwamba County Bundibugyo NRM 36. Ocan Patrick Apac Municipality Apac Independent 37. Ogwang Patrick Obura Oyam County South Oyam NRM 38. Okaasai Sidronius Opolot Kumi County Kumi NRM 39. Oketcho George West Budama County South Tororo NRM 40. Oketcho John Francis Bugiri Municipality Bugiri NRM 41. Okeyoh Peter Bukooli Island County Namayingo NRM 42. Okot Peter Tochi County Omoro DP 43. Okumu Gabriel Okoro County Zombo NRM 44. Omara Paul Otuke County Otuke NRM 45. Omoding Emmanuel Serere County Serere NRM 46. Onek Hilary Obaloker Palabek County Lamwo NRM 47. Oneka Lit Amere Denis Kitgum Municipality Kitgum FDC 48. Ongom Patrick Erute County North Lira NRM 49. Ongu James Kwania North County Kwania NRM 50. Opito Vincent Dokolo South County Dokolo UPC 51. Nankabirwa Ann Maria Woman Representative Kyankwanzi NRM 52. Nantongo Fortunate Rose Woman Representative Kyotera NUP 53. Natumanya Flora Woman Representative Kikuube NRM 54. Naturinda Eliab Ndorwa County West Kabale NRM 55. Ngompek Linos Kibanda North County Kiryandongo NRM 56. Ninkusiima John Paul (Dr) Ibanda County South Ibanda NRM 57. Niringiyimana James R. Kaberuka Kinkizi County West Kanungu NRM

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

103. Ruhindi Fredrick Nakawa Division East Kampala NRM 104. Taban Aate Sharifah Woman Representative Koboko Independent 105. Ouma Willy Namayingo South County Namayingo Independent 106. Orone Derrick Gogonyo County Pallisa NRM 107. Tete Chelengat Everline Woman Representative Bukwo NRM 108. Tibyaze Peace Woman Representative Jinja NRM 109. Tom Aliti Candia Maracha East County Maracha NRM 110. Rwakimari Beatrice Ruhaama County Ntungamo NRM 111. Tumuramye Genensio Kashongi County Kiruhura NRM 112. Tumusiime John Bosco Kashari South County Mbarara NRM 113. Teira John Bugabula County North Kamuli NRM 114. Oryema Simon Peter Adum Chua West County Kitgum NRM 115. Turyahikayo Kebirungi Mary Paula Woman Representative Rukungiri NRM 116. Sebamala Richard Bukoto County Central Masaka DP 117. Tiyo William Taylor Odaa Ayivu Division East Arua City NRM 118. Ssebbugga-Kimeze Berunado Budyepo County Nakasongola NRM 119. Tayebwa Thomas Ruhinda North County Mitooma NRM 120. Otto Edward Makmot Agago County Agago NRM 121. Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore (Lt Col Rtd) Isingiro County North Isingiro NRM 122. Tebandeke Charles Bbaale County Kayunga NUP 123. Tukahirwa James Byenjuru Hunter Kajara County Ntungamo NRM 124. Tumukunde Henry Kakurugu (Lt Gen. Rtd) Rukungiri Municipality Rukungiri NRM 125. Tumwesigye Anthony Isingiro West County Isingiro Independent 126. Ssenyonyi Joel Basekezi Nakawa Division West Kampala NUP 127. Osoru Mourine Woman Representative Arua City NRM 128. Ossiya Solomon Alemu Toroma County Katakwi NRM 129. Shyam Jay Tanna Tororo Municipality Tororo Independent 130. Twalla Fadil Tingey County Kapchorwa NRM 131. Waluswaka James Bunyole West County Butaleja NRM 132. Tumwebaze Mwine Youth Representative Western NRM 133. Twinomujuni Francis Kazini Buhaguzi County Kikuube NRM 134. Otafiire Kahinda (Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Ruhinda County Mitooma NRM 135. Silwany Solomon Bukooli County Central Bugiri NRM 136. Otim Bernard Maruzi North County Apac NRM 137. Waiswa Joel Azalwa Busiki County Namutumba Independent 138. Ssemwanga Gyaviira Buyamba County Rakai NRM 139. Wakida Patrick Godfrey Kabweri County Kibuku NRM 140. Walyomu Moses Muwanika Kagoma County Jinja Independent 141. Wandera John Paul Samia Bugwe County North Busia Independent 142. Saazi Godfrey Gomba East County Gomba NUP 143. Wanyenya Shafiga Bungokho County North Mbale NRM 144. Twesige Stephen Buyaga East County Kagadi NRM 145. Twinamasiko Onesimus Bugangaizi East County Kakumiro NRM 146. Wandera Sadala Bugweri County Bugweri NRM 147. Tayebwa Didas Kabumbuza Kooki County Rakai NRM 148. Wanyama Judas Thadeo Youth Representative Eastern NRM 149. Sserukenya David Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipality Wakiso NUP 150. Sekindi Aisha Woman Representative Kalungu Independent

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

Vote 002 - State House, Shs 300 billion to cater for classified expenditures. Vote 010 - Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Shs 3.8 billion to operationalise Kapeka Farm Service Centre. Vote 144 - Uganda Police Force, Shs 110.41 billion to finance additional security interventions and emerging contractual obligations owing to the 2026 general elections. This ensured peaceful general elections, as you all witnessed. Vote 017 - Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Shs 24.850 billion for partial payment for the Government acquisition of the Electro-Maxx 50 megawatt power plant in Tororo. This will enable the Government to commence implementing its energy policy mix, which requires 10 per cent of generation capacity to come from thermal power. Vote 126 - National Information Technologies Authority, Shs 21.966 billion. This is additional financing for internet services under the National Information Technology Authority. This situation arose from an increase in internet usage by MDAs and local governments during the financial year following the implementation of Last Mile Connectivity. Vote 142 - National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO), Shs 20 billion. This is to cover operational shortfalls realised during the ongoing roll-out of the anti-tick vaccine. The shortfalls are for the purchase of reagents and packaging materials, and the recruitment of additional staff. COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

I request that we rephrase “interest of a foreigner”. For example, if we promote the interest of Kenya that wants the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to pass via Tororo and head to the North and the Government of Uganda maybe wants the SGR to come to Kampala – I, who comes from the east wants it to go to the North to promote trade - Now if it is being promoted by the Government of Kenya, I will support that idea yet I might be criminalised.

Madam Speaker, the issue of cement is very serious. We are very lucky in Tororo and we need to find out why Tororo has the three biggest cement plants in this country. The reason is that Tororo is a hub for distributing cement to Sudan, Kenya, Kampala and DRC. Madam Speaker, if we increase this tax - our cement is exported to DRC and as we talk, Rwanda has cement plants that were almost out of production. The two cement plants have now emerged, and they are producing cement in a very big quantity and competing with us for the market in DRC. It is going to have a serious impact on us. You will lose the tax you are proposing to collect because more than 50 per cent of cement produced here is sold in DRC. Madam Speaker, sugar employs more than 80,000 young people. We need to find out why we majorly export sugar to the DRC. In fact, as we talk and because of geopolitical reasons, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi bring sugar from Brazil, re-bag it as East African sugar and it is entering DRC. Honourable minister, you need to carry out research when you want to introduce tax. Look at the region. If you increase the tax on sugar, you will allow sugar from other regions to enter DRC, and we will not have a market for our sugar. The other issue pertains to boda bodas. Many young people who clobber people in town are in the boda boda industry. By increasing the THE EXCISE DUTY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2026 [Ms Galiwango]

18618 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 Accumulation of arrears has remained a structural challenge within Uganda’s road sector. The absorption of the former Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and Uganda Road Fund (URF) into the Ministry of Works and Transport has further consolidated the arrears liability across previously separate institutional structures, creating a single and growing pool of outstanding debt. The committee was informed that the Ministry of Works and Transport closed the Financial Year 2024/2025 with total arrears of Shs 1.4 trillion, comprising Shs 649 billion from the Ministry of Works and Transport, Shs 840 billion inherited from the former UNRA and Shs 0.5 billion from the former Uganda Road Fund. Although Shs 541 billion have been paid so far in the Financial Year 2025/2026 through supplementary expenditure, the outstanding balance as at the time of the Ministerial Policy Statement submission stands at approximately Shs 948 billion. Madam Speaker, the committee notes with concern that out of an approved arrears budget of Shs 218.4 billion for the Financial Year 2025/2026, no resources were released by the half year mark. This complete non-release directly caused the suspension of works on a number of national road projects and triggered additional interest charges. The committee further notes that instead of restoring the arrears allocation, the proposed Financial Year 2026/2027 budget slashes it from Shs 218.4 billion to only Shs 39.6 billion, a reduction of 81.9 per cent despite the outstanding stock having grown. This is compounded by the absence of any fixed medium-term clearance schedule. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to: 1. Restore the Financial Year 2026/2027 arrears allocation to a minimum of Shs 300 billion and commit to a legally binding three-year clearance schedule published to Parliament by end of the first quarter of the Financial Year 2026/2027; 2. Ensure that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development releases both the arrears budget of Shs 218 billion for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and the remaining balance of the approved supplementary budget of Shs 1.69 trillion; and 3. Cease approving arrears budget lines that are never released, as this creates a false impression of fiscal responsibility while contractors remain unpaid, works remain suspended and interest accrues. Persistent delays in land acquisition and Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) compensation The committee was informed that as at the time of the Ministerial Policy Statements (MPS) submission, a total of 7,767 PAPs (41 percent), remain unpaid under the Government-funded projects; a) Bukasa Port; b) The Standard Gauge Railway; c) Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway; and d) Gulu Logistics Hub, representing outstanding compensation of Shs 533.2 billion. Under donor-funded projects, 6,597 PAPs (18 percent) remain unpaid Shs 320.1 billion. Land acquisition across 32 ongoing civil works contracts has progressed to only 209 of a required 711.5 hectares, a coverage rate of 29.4 per cent. The committee notes a significant positive development where the land acquisition Project II (Project 1771), has received a significant budget increase from Shs 113.1 billion to Shs 689.5 billion. This signals a belated recognition that land acquisition has been the principal bottleneck to infrastructure delivery. However, the committee cautions that a budget appropriation alone is insufficient. The history of approved but unspent counterpart allocations shows that appropriation does not guarantee release or utilisation.

18621 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 be carried out at source quarterly. Further, the affected MDAs are also urged to incorporate within their budgets specified funds in order to enable them clear arrears accrued towards UCAA. The committee was informed that in regards to funds owed by the UN to the Uganda Civil Aviation, there is an MOU that states that the UN will operate at Entebbe International Airport at no cost and that UCAA will be compensated for the foregone income. The committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Works liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Office of the Prime Minister to have the matter resolved and report back to Parliament in the medium term. 7.1.6 The relocation of NAGRIC from the airport The committee was informed by the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority that it acquired 67.4 acres of land formerly owned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF)/ National Animal Genetic Resources Centre (NAGRIC) to facilitate the expansion of Entebbe International Airport. In order to facilitate the acquisition, Uganda Civil Aviation Authority paid Shs 2.4 billion on 20 August 2019 to MAAIF, which would enable them to relocate to land measuring 76.5 acres in Kyanuma village, Busiro. In respect to that, the committee noted that this issue was raised in the committee report of the Financial Year 2025/2026, urging MAAIF and NAGRIC to relocate and pave the way for the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority given that funds were received in lieu of the land by NAGRIC, but the status quo remains the same. The committee recommends and urges the ministers for Works and Transport and Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, in consultation with the Office of the Prime Minister, to come up with an amicable solution to the land under dispute and report back to Parliament in the medium term. 7.1.7 Ferries and inland water transport safety Ferry services in Uganda are primarily managed by Uganda National Roads Department in the Ministry of Works and Transport and private operators. They are critical infrastructure in connecting rural communities and bridging road networks across Lake Victoria, Kyoga, Albert, and the River Nile. These services significantly reduce travel times for people and cargo by serving key areas like Kalangala, Buvuma, and the Buyende-Kaberamaido route. The committee noted that inland water transport has been neglected over time with concerns about limited connectivity, ferry breakdowns, and makeshift boat use, persisting with up to 5,000 deaths occurring annually on Lake Victoria alone due to boat accidents. Madam Speaker, in respect to that, the committee takes into cognizance the ministry’s efforts towards construction of the Search and Rescue (SAR) centres and recommends that SAR centres be evenly distributed, constructed across all major water bodies. Further, island communities should be regularly sensitised on safe water transport usage given that most accidents are due to human error, like overloading, and most boats being in poor mechanical conditions. Further emphasis should be placed on regular vessel inspections in order to ensure compliance with set standards. 7.1.8 Operationalisation of the Meter Gauge Railway (MGR) Project. The committee noted that the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) is in the process of rehabilitating and upgrading the aging MGR network, including Malaba-Kampala, Tororo- Gulu, and expanding the commuter passenger services in the greater Kampala Metropolitan area under their strategic plan for Financial Year 2025/2026-2029/2030. Madam Speaker, the committee noted that in Financial Year 2026/2027, the Government has allocated Shs 161 billion to the Uganda Railways Corporation (URC) towards the

18622 CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR FY 2026/2027 full operationalisation of the Tororo-Gulu line, including rehabilitation of 600 wagons, rehabilitation of locomotives, and wage support. The committee recommends that the URC prioritises the full operationalisation of the meter-gauge railway, as this will go a long way in alleviating congestion in both cargo and passenger services on the already struggling road network. Road Fund Management The committee noted that while the Road Fund Management Department, formerly the Uganda Road Fund, is mandated to finance routine and periodic maintenance of public roads in Uganda, it is grossly underfunded. The Fund is supposed to raise monies independent of general Government taxation regimes and disperse those funds to repair and maintain roads based on an agreed work plan. Madam Speaker, the agencies that repair and maintain Uganda’s roads and therefore benefit from the monies accrued by the Road Fund Management include Kampala Capital City Authority and other designated agencies responsible for maintenance and repair of district, urban, and community-access roads. Recommendations i) The committee recommends and urges the Government to fully operationalise the Road Fund to enable it to operate with the resources drawn from the second- generation fund, as resolved by Parliament; ii) Further, the committee recommends that road and drainage maintenance under the Uganda Road Fund be allocated additional resources to enable it to fully carry out its mandate; and iii) The committee also recommends that the Government come up with a programme specifically geared towards sensitising the populace on proper garbage disposal and enforcement of attendant penalties. This may help curb the poor culture towards garbage disposal. Vote 122: Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) The reduction in infrastructure budget allocation under Kampala Capital City Authority The infrastructure budget for Kampala Capital City Authority is on a downward trajectory at a time when the city’s road network and drainage systems require expanded investment. The reduction in the KCCA’s budget under the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services (ITIS) programme undermines KCCA’s capacity to address the growing urban mobility and infrastructural maintenance challenges confronting the capital city. The committee was informed that KCCA’s total allocation under the Integrated Transport Infrastructure and Services programme has decreased from Shs 621.8 billion in the Financial Year 2025/2026 to Shs 529.7 billion in the Financial Year 2026/2027; a reduction of Shs 92.1 billion – that is 14.8 per cent. The committee notes that this reduction is principally driven by the removal of Shs 140 billion allocated for the commencement of the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project, funded by the UK Export Finance in the second Budget Call Circular. In respect to that, the committee, therefore, recommends the reinstatement of the Shs 140 billion allocated for the Kampala City Roads and Bridges Upgrading Project (KCRBUP) in the Financial Year 2026/2027 to enable timely project commencement, given that the UK Export Finance facility is already secured and further delay risks lapsing of the credit arrangement. Critically Low Absorption of External Financing Under KCCA’s Infrastructure Budget External financing constitutes the single largest component of KCCA’s infrastructure budget, and its effective absorption is the primary determinant of whether the Capital City’s Strategic Road Rehabilitation and Urban Development Programmes deliver tangible results.

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.

Madam Speaker, in accordance with Article 155(4) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, Section 12 of the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 and Rule 149 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, the Ministerial Policy Statements for the Financial Year 2026/2027 were presented before Parliament. In light of the above, I now present, for your consideration and adoption, a report of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources in respect of the policy statement and draft budget estimates for Financial Year 2026/2027, covering the following Votes: Vote 017: Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development; Vote 139: Petroleum Authority of Uganda; Vote 019: Ministry of Water and Environment; and Vote 150: National Environment Management Authority. We also cover the following subventions: i) National Water and Sewerage Corporation; ii) Atomic Energy Council; and iii) Uganda Electricity Credit Capitalisation Company. Madam Speaker, the committee considered the implementation trends, funding gaps, staffing constraints, external financing dependencies and the extent to which planned investments align to the national priorities under the current growth agenda and the relevant National Development Plan IV programmes. Madam Speaker, the votes under the committee’s jurisdiction are strategically important to Uganda’s economic transformation because they directly affect electricity access, industrial power supply, extractives governance, water access, irrigation, sanitation, climate resilience, forestry management, wetland protection and environmental compliance. The committee notes that the policy statements for Financial Year 2026/2027 contain a broad array of projects whose successful implementation would have immediate political and developmental significance in the communities across the country, including the oil host districts in the Albertine Graben, electricity transmission corridors in central and western Uganda, industrial parks in places such as Tororo, Mbale, Nakaseke,

Thank you. Madam Speaker, on the project on Industrial Parks Electrification Phase II, the intended project is to construct substations and power lines to supply power to industrial parks. This will include the Sukulu Hills in Tororo, Mbale Industrial Park, Kapeeka Park in Nakaseke, the Wobulenzi Park in Luwero, and Nakasongola-Kaweweta Defense Industrial Park, amongst others. Under the Kampala Metropolitan Transmission System Improvement Project, we intend to have an upgrade of the Kawaala, Mutundwe, Mukono, and Buloba-related infrastructure. Madam Speaker, the planned area of benefit is Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono environs. Madam Speaker, there is the ORIO Mini Hydro and Rural Electrification Project. The ministry intends to undertake construction of the mini hydro infrastructure, 288-kilometre distribution network, and 71,081 last-mile connections, particularly intended for areas in Hoima, Nchweera, Igassa, and Nsongya. Forgive my pronunciation due to cultural challenges. On the Kiba Hydropower Project, the ministry is undertaking a feasibility study, the environmental sustainability impact assessment, and access works and stakeholder engagement for this mini project, which is intended to be constructed in Nwoya and Kiryandongo districts. The Oriang Hydropower Project is still the same, and it is intended to be located in Nwoya and Oyam districts. On the Ayago Hydropower Project, preparatory studies are to be undertaken, as well as stakeholder management activities. The same is in Nwoya and Kiryandongo areas. Under the Buyende Nuclear Power Plant site evaluation is going to be undertaken, including meteorological tower installation, seismic and groundwater monitoring, and a resettlement action plan finalisation. This project will be located in Buyanja Subcounty in Buyende District. Madam Speaker, on the geothermal development, there is an intention to undertake deep exploration and drilling, as well as undertake surface studies. This project will be in Kibiro in Hoima, in Panyimur in Pakwach, in Okidi in Amuru, Karungu in Rubanda, Ihimbo in Rukungiri, and Kabuga in Kasese. The electricity access scale-up project

18649 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 16 APRIL 2026 This project intends to ensure the connection of 1,073,500 new connections of people to the electricity grid. The distribution is as follows: Central Region, 497,106; Eastern Region, 216,616; Northern, 140,337; and Western Uganda, 219,441 new connections, all amounting to 1,073,500 new connections. Under the mineral exploration and beneficiation projects, there is exploration and support for the mineral value chains. This is to improve the value of the minerals that are being obtained by the various artisanal as well as developed miners. This is planned for in Ssembabule, Buhweju, Iganga, Luweero, Kyenjojo, Ntungamo, Kazo, Kiboga, Kassanda, Mubende, Nakasongola, Mityana, and Nakaseke districts. On the Kilembe redevelopment and mineral value addition, the Government intends to support mining, processing, and mineral value addition under the Kilembe project. This will be located in Kilembe, which is in Kasese. There will also be Busia, Mbarara, Iganga, Jinja, Tororo, Rubanda, Kampala, and other mineral processing points in the country. Observations on Vote 017 The committee welcomes -

There is no proper disposal and sanitation; people do everything they want. The nice Fort Portal, which would get trophies every year, cannot get them anymore and so, let us agree, ladies and gentlemen, that we need to sensitise our people and get the sanity Uganda deserves. We spent a lot of money building these markets and there is proof. If you go, you will find empty spaces. I visited Tororo and Arua. Visit your own markets and find out. People have left the markets and are selling on the streets. However, they should have been given enough warning, loud and clear. Even the method used by the staff that is demolishing is quite embarrassing. They are forceful, arrogant, spoiled, and prone to throwing things. That is a methodology but the fact is that the laws must be adhered to. Thank you.

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

Under Annex 1, we summarised the amount of money which is budgeted for DUCAR, KCCA and road maintenance. There are national roads upgrades and rehabilitation. There are also ferry operations of about Shs 12 billion. Therefore, some of the roads like Fort Portal- Bundibugyo-Lamia - we all know that road. There was an estimate of Shs 118 billion. The requirement to do the phase for this year is Shs 50 billion. However, there was nothing provided in the budget. There is also Gulu-Atiak-Nimule Road – it is in bad shape. The other roads are Mubende- Kyenjojo Road and Ntungamo-Rukungiri Road. There is also the completion of the section of Tororo-Busia Road. We also have Najjanankumbi-Busabala Road and Rwenkunye-Apac-Lira-Puranga Road - Hon. Omara, thank you for lobbying. We also have Luweero-Butalangu Road. There is Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo – that road when you leave Koboko via Yumbe headed to Moyo. It is for upgrade. Money is being provided. There are also Yumbe-Ure, Kisubi-Nakawuka, Nakawuka-Maya, Nakawuka-Nateete, Nakawuka-Kasanje-Maya and Nakawuka- Buwaya – all those roads. The money is here. Once we approve, we are in business. There are also critical oil roads like Kabwoya- Buhuka, Kihura-Rwamwanja, Kahunge-Bwizi- Mpara, Namagumba-Budadiri-Nalugugu - these people of Mbale, the road is there to be completed. We have Moroto-Lokitanyala Road, Kira- Matugga Road – Hon. Ssemujju, thank you for lobbying - (Laughter). There is also Kabale- Bunyonyi Road – that is a tourist road, going up to Kisoro-Mahinga. We have Busega-Mpigi Expressway. We need that one badly. There is a road from Muyembe to Nakapiripirit as well as Lusalira-Nkonge- Lumegere-Ssembabule Road. Hon. Kabanda is in business. Thank you for lobbying. Hon. Namugga, the NRM Government does not discriminate. There is also Iganga-Bulopa-Kamuli – you will connect properly. This is for the former Speaker, and the current Speaker has implemented it. Thank you for lobbying. There are also critical roads like Kabale- Kiziranfumbi, Nyairongo-Kyarushesha and Masindi-Biiso. It seems nobody is excited about this one. This is an oil road.

Thank you so much, honourable members. Honourable minister, Chairperson of the Budget Committee and the members, I want to thank you so much for handling the supplementary. Honourable minister, I know you have considered a number of roads. Thank you but I have some very crucial roads that should be considered: Lira-Aloi-Otuke-Abim-Kotido road, we have Lira-Apala-Otuke, we have Buhweju road, we have Kachonga, Butaleja, Busolwe, Tororo - that tells you that I have gone through this country –Dokolo-Namasale- Otuke. Honourable minister, we need to look at those roads. Then there was part of the road that we are working on in Isingiro towards Tanzania. We also have the BKK 1 and 2 ferry. We are opening it in January. Hon. Agaba?

Thank you, Rt. Hon Mr Speaker. I would like to appreciate you because you gave me an opportunity to raise the issue of the police officers who had missed salary, some for one year, some for nine months yet, yet they were working. Some of them got back to me after we raised this matter, saying that the police authority took action. Yes, they thanked me because a good number were paid. Maybe some have yet to be paid, but most of them have reached out again. Secondly, I have equally received a complaint from the civil servants in my district in Tororo, and teachers in some other districts. When I tried to follow up on the issue with the responsible Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) and the Ministry of Public Service, the excuse they gave was that the Government is migrating from IPPS to HCM. Mr Speaker, if the Government is integrating, how come some of these people received salaries earlier, then for four months they did not, and then received it, but then now for two to three months, they have not received their salaries again. Therefore, it is not an issue, but rather, I believe this is just being used as an excuse. It seems some people within the Government may be doing something, either by creating loopholes so that you see me, and then I reinstate your name. It could be, and it is possible. So, can the minister for finance, I know the Minister for Public Service is not here - come and explain to us how somebody can be on the payroll today but next month they are off and the other month they are on. And if I am working, why should I be on and off? Is there something that is being done between finance and these local governments that is creating this? We are frustrating these civil servants. They earn very little. You can imagine children are going back to school now. How does somebody who has taken two to three months without salary take the children back to school? Can the minister explain and also tell us what action they are taking on these CAOs, because you actually always bring a list of accounting officers here? Why is this happening in local governments? Thank you.

17999 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 Observations on compliance with the relevant regulatory framework. Unimplemented procurement Madam Speaker, I will be presenting pages 9 to 10. The committee observes that the failure to fully implement or plan the procurement delays the services for which the procurement of works, services, or goods was intended. We recommend that the accounting officer ensure planned procurements are executed in a timely manner and that unimplemented procurements are rolled over to the following period. Low bidder participation In accordance with Section 46 of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets, Cap. 205, all public procurements should be conducted to maximise competition and achieve value for money. The Auditor-General analysed the bidder’s participation by comparing the number of invited bidders with the corresponding number of participants and noted a low bidder turn up for up to 11 procurements worth Shs 5.44 billion. The accounting officer explained that most of the services and supplies required by Uganda Electricity Transmission Limited (UETCL) are highly specialised, rendering the supply market limited. However, the company will continue to use competitive methods in accordance with the PPDA thresholds. Further, low bidder participation can be attributed to unacknowledged bid invitations, unclear instructions to bidders, and impractical requirements that affect the bidder’s ability to respond and comply. The committee observes that low-bidder turn- up limits effective competition and defeats the motive of enhanced competition to achieve value for money. We recommend that the accounting officer investigate and address the causes of low bidder turn-up to maximise competition in accordance with the basic principles of procurement. We noted delayed procurement of consultancy services and observed that inadequate funds affect timely execution of planned activities and service delivery. This depicts a lack of adequate planning on the part of the agency or entity. Recommendations: i) The Accounting officer should improve on planning and budgeting to ensure the timely execution of the planned activities; ii) The Government should increase its funding to the agency to be able to execute its mandate. Completion of the pending 34.7-kilometre Tororo-Lira 132 Kv transmission line Audit established that the company awarded a contract on 13 th December 2023 to MS Kalpataru Projects International Limited to complete the pending works of 34.7 kilometres 132 kV transmission line of Tororo-Lira at a contract price of $5,359,246 and Shs 8.22 billion under procurement reference number UETCL/WORKS/2022-23/01061. On review of the procurement file, the Auditor-General noted the following anomalies: i) Contrary to Regulation 37 of the PPDA (Rules and Methods) 2014, the statement of requirements and the bill of quantities for the procurement were inadequate. The bills eliminated items such as mobilisation, demobilisation, soil investigations due to changes in the corridor, site security deployment and reassembling of some towers. As a result of amending the bills of quantities (BoQs), the contract price was adjusted by $289,243.87 and Shs 0.71 billion ii) The procurement was initiated on 31 st January 2023; however, the bid invitation was sent out on 24 th May 2023, four months later, which indicates inefficiencies in the procurement process.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We, the people of Tororo, do not have a kingdom. We have traditional leaders because kings are born but ours are elected. So, on behalf of the two cultural institutions that is the Iteso Cultural Union and the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, I want to wish the people of Tooro a happy celebration. I would also like to congratulate all those, specifically the Ministry for Tourism and Wildlife but also the various stakeholders, who have ensured that this country restores the rhino population that was almost extinct in the early 1980s. I know that there was a deliberate effort to ensure that we grow the rhino population in the country and I want to thank those individuals who took this up because today, if they had not done so, the rhinos would be extinct. However, Madam Speaker, when you move to certain countries, friendly animals like rhinos are within certain hotels. If you go to Zimbabwe, you will find hotels with animals like zebras, rhinos and the tourists - even within Kampala, we would not need to travel. They could travel but it is something that hotels that have land can adopt so that they have these animals within these hotels. I would like to call upon the Ministry for Tourism to interest themselves and the various stakeholders with land and hotels to have these friendly animals. Thank you.

Thank you. Honourable members, for you to derive an executive summary, there must be a report, not so? I need to be guided. Yes, the honourable member from Tororo.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate your communication. It is sad that we are losing our young people, who are supposed to be this country’s senior citizens. On your submission concerning the roads, we have a very serious problem in this country, beginning with my town of Busia Municipality. As I talk now, the construction of roads in Busia Municipality has become a hazard, as it does not take a week without a serious accident. We have a road coming from Tororo, via Buteba, to Busia Municipality, which has taken almost three years to construct. Moreover, it is an urban road. It is a road which is the gateway between Kenya and Uganda. In fact, if you go to the other side of Kenya and you return to this side of Uganda, you will see very different countries –

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.

Yours is Nkokonjeru? For that road, we are using our team from the training centre, which you know, Meltek. We want to do a cobblestone project on that road because of its nature. Doing tarmac, it will be washed away very readily. Our team in Meltek, which is our training centre, has already done studies on how to do cobblestone. We intend to pave that road with cobblestone technology. You wait until we start. Then the away road - ( Hon. Lucy rose_) Atiak-Nimule; there is a company called MTF, which will go on that road. The road from Atiak - of course, you know that Atiak- Laropi is already done. For Laropi-Afoji, we are at the procurement stage. ( Members rose_) Tororo-Mbale; that road is under what we call the Northern Road Rehabilitation Project (NERAMP). It is being done by Mota-Engil Africa, under the World Bank. They have so far done the section from Kamdini and have now

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. 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

Hon. Okumu, let us first operationalise what was created before we create others, because Hon. Oboth-Oboth is going to stand up, and Hon. Angura will also stand up on Tororo. Let us first operationalise what was created, and create others when we have the money. Yes, honourable member for Youths?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also thank the chairperson and his committee members for a good report. You will recall that the whole country was declared a planning area. It is unfortunate that we are not following this to the dot. It is, therefore, high time we emphasised and supported planning, starting with the cities, and urbanisation in general. The rate of urbanisation growth is so high, and this will be good for us shortly, such that we release the pressure on land for production, among others. Madam Speaker, as I support the chairperson and all that has been raised, it is prudent that I re-echo the statement that you said. As Tororo and Bukedi in general, we are among those who are expecting a city. This city is coming with relief from the problems that Tororo has been having. We are now privileged that when that time comes, we shall be seeing another two or three districts. How I wish we fast fast- track this such that we can see how to bring development nearer to the people by getting Tororo City, which will be in Tororo County. And it should come with the proper planning and provisions, as has been raised by the chairperson and the committee, such that we see that rolled out in the districts.

Honourable member, as Parliament, we heard a rumour that Tororo is supposed to become a city. So, I want to hear from the minister on how far they have gone with the issues of Tororo? As Parliament, we are ready to grant Tororo city status.

Madam Speaker, the issue of Tororo City and the other proposed districts outside Tororo is currently before the Cabinet. We have already drafted the necessary paper for consideration, and as honourable members know, the creation of a city and district is the function of Parliament. Therefore, when approved by the Cabinet, I will have to come back to Parliament for the necessary way forward.

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.

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

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;

17494 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION In Tororo, where we have got large deposits of limestone, and Kabale, where we have got iron ore, the Government has facilitated the use of these minerals for making cement and steel, respectively. In Kabale, we have put in place the infrastructure for mining the iron ore from which domestic steel manufacturers have started making high- quality steel. There are now 10 gold refineries in the country producing gold, which is refined to 99.9 per cent purity. There are gold mining activities in Busia by a Chinese company called Wagagai, and the Government embarked on the registration of artisanal miners in Buhweju, Busia, Mubende, Kassanda and Karamoja. Registration will be expanded to cover all artisanal mining areas in the country. In Moyo, there are gold reserves and huge limestone deposits, apparently, which are raw material for cement production in Madi- Manzora. We currently have three cement manufacturing plants, namely Tororo, Hima, and Simba Cement, a high-quality tin smelting plant in Mbarara with an annual capacity of 1,600 tons. A number of cement factories are coming up in Karamoja. The Government is also facilitating the establishment of a modern mineral laboratory in Entebbe, which is in the final stages of accreditation to international standards. This financial year, the Government started the capitalisation of the Uganda National Mining Company. This company will take an equity stake of up to 15 per cent in all medium-scale and large-scale strategic mining operations in the country. This is to ensure that as we attract foreign direct investment capital, the country benefits directly, in addition to monitoring what is happening in the sector. The company will be capitalised to a tune of Shs 500 billion over five years. Oil and gas With regard to oil and gas production, the Government is investing in the requisite infrastructure for commercial production. Kabalega International Airport is near completion, and 700 kilometres of tarmac roads have been constructed in the Albertine area. The civil works for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) are scheduled for completion next financial year, both in Uganda and Tanzania. The Ugandan National Oil Company commenced the petroleum bulk trading business in August 2024. The objective is to ensure the security of fuel supply, reduction in the petroleum pump prices, and ensure the quality of petroleum products on the market. Since the Government started implementing this initiative, Uganda has experienced some reduction in fuel pump prices. We rejected the old mistake of a whole country like Uganda buying petroleum products from middlemen in Kenya. Can you imagine? Your people were buying petroleum for the Republic of Uganda, a member of the United Nations, from middlemen. Can you imagine? You cannot believe what happens in Africa. I did not believe it. And you know, in these ministries, there are people called commissioners. Have you heard of them? Commissioner of ignorance or what? (Laughter) When I came to know of it, I said, “This would not happen. Why not buy from refiners? Don’t you know where the refineries are or the bulk suppliers?” You can’t believe it. Africa is really a continent of wonders; a whole country buying petroleum from middlemen! I did not know of this, and I was sitting there, “President, President.” (Laughter) In the minerals sector, the Government’s investment next financial year will prioritise the following:

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.

Madam Speaker, this minority report is presented pursuant to Rule 215 of the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament. It dissents from the majority’s report of the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs on the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, moved, privately, by Hon. Faith Nakut, Woman Representative, Napak and seconded by Hon. Yusuf Mutembuli of Bunyole East and Hon. Ronald Afidra of Tororo County. Dissent The Bill is unconstitutional. That is the first point of dissent, Madam Speaker. The Bill is unconstitutional. The minority observed that the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025 contravenes the provisions of Article 93 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and rule 130 -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. This is a House of record. I just heard Hon. Odur mention an honourable member by the names of Afidra Ronald and is locating him in a constituency in Tororo. The Hon. Afidra I know of is from Madi-Okollo. Wouldn’t it be procedurally right, Madam Speaker, that this record is corrected for posterity?

Honourable, what he is saying is a correction of the constituency, not Tororo County. Tororo County is represented by Hon. Angura. Hon. Angura, you mean they have taken over your constituency?

Madam Speaker, for the record, Hon. Afidra is not a Member representing any constituency in Tororo and Tororo County to be specific. We have Tororo County North represented by Hon. Geofrey Ekanya, Tororo Municipality represented by Hon. Apollo Yeri and I represent Tororo South. Therefore, we do not have him on record. Hon. Opendi represents the greater Tororo which is West Budama and Tororo County. Thank you very much.

Thank you. Hon. Afidra is not from Tororo. The record should correct it.

Madam Speaker, I take that correction of the record. All I was trying to do was to show the shabbiness of the movers in writing in their own memorandum to the committee that Hon. Afidra comes from Tororo. (Laughter) Now that the record has been corrected, I will proceed to highlight the report. The first area of dissent, Madam Speaker, as I said, is that the Bill is unconstitutional. The minority observed that the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025 contravenes the provisions of Article 93 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and Rule 130(1)(b) and (c) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda. Extracts from the statement of justification of the clauses of the Bill signed and presented to the committee by Hon. Yusuf Mutembuli, SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT [Mr Odur]

Madam Speaker, Hon. Sarah is one of my best friends. The people from Busia District are Tororo’s grandchildren. I am ashamed to say that she might not be speaking the truth. I would have said she is lying, but let me say she might not be speaking the truth. This morning, I have used almost three routes to Parliament. I first went to Garden City; there was no checkpoint.

Madam Speaker, when I presented this case – I was approached as I was travelling to Tororo over the Easter period. I stopped over in Jinja –

17331 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 MAY 2025 Also, on education, the Ministry for Finance wrote to say that a new loan of Shs 200 million is being prepared to cover all secondary and primary schools in the coming financial years. Digital transformation Shs 197.08 billion has been allocated to the Government Network project towards ex - panding the digital infrastructure outreach, strengthening digital infrastructure comple - ments, mainstreaming digital services in prior - ity sectors, among others. This is a big move for our country to put Shs 197.0 billion into the electronic network. Energy and Gas Development a) The Government plans to provide Shs 686.35 billion towards midstream petroleum infrastructure development. Some of these planned activities include supervision of East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) construction works in Uganda, development of the Government of Uganda EACOP, a hub in Tanga, undertake a feasibility study for the natural gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda, the completion of payment for relocation of land of project affected persons along the project pipeline, the completion of construction of resettlement houses for the project affected persons and also embark on refinery engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) activities. b) Shs 346.42 billion for the Electricity Access Scale-Up project. The project is intended to increase the proportion of the population with access to electricity from 24 to 44 per cent by 2027, mainly through grid expansion, connectivity, network expansion and strengthening. Colleagues, this is a good development; it will support most of the constituencies where there is no electricity. c) Shs 34.84 billion towards the Karuma Hydroelectric Power project. d) Shs 26.00 billion towards ORIO Mini Hydropower and Rural Electricity Project. e) Shs 165.29 billion towards enhanced rural electrification and connectivity across the country. f) Shs 21.79 billion towards the construction of 400kv Karuma-Tororo Transmission Line and 132kv Ntinda Substation. g) Shs 202.04 billion towards Hoima- Kinyara-Kafu 220Kv Transmission Line and associated substations. h) Shs 15.00 billion towards Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply and infrastructure intervention. Water supply and sanitation a) Shs 114.04 billion towards Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry Conservation Programme Phase; b) Shs 127.95 billion towards the Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project; c) Shs 81.07 billion towards the Development of Solar-Powered Irrigation and Water Supply Systems; d) Shs 81.82 billion towards Investing in Forests and Protected Areas for Climate- Smart Development; e) Shs 165.16 billion towards the Water Lake Victoria and Sanitation Project; and f) Shs 40.00 billion towards the Water Service Acceleration project. Governance and Security The Government intends to provide Shs 450 billion towards the electoral roadmap. So, the elections are going to be there, without postponement. Part B 5.0 Sectoral committees’ reallocations in the budget for Financial Year 2025/2026 Madam Speaker, during the consideration of the committees’ reports on the Ministerial Policy Statements for Financial Year 2025/2026, Parliament adopted reallocations for various Votes. These reallocations were referred to the Budget Committee for harmonisation, reconciliation and consolidation. We beg

hub in Tanga, undertake feasibility shrdy for the nahrral gas pipeline from Tanzania to Uganda, completion of pa5rment for relocation tand for PAPs along the products pipeline route, completion of constnrction of resetflement houses for the PAPs, embark on Refinery EPC activities, among others; b) UGX 346.42bo, for the Electricity Access Scde Up Project (EASP). Ttre project is intended to increase the proportion of the Population with access to electrictty F* 24o/o to 44o/o W 2027 through mainly grld erpansioa and connsctlvlty and netrork erpansioa and rtrrengtheatng; c) UGX 34.t4bn towards I(aruma Hydroelectricity Power Project; d) UGX 26.OOba towards ORIO Mini Hydro Power and Rural Electricity Project e) UGX 165.29bn towards enhanced rural electrification and connectivit5r acnoss the country 0 UGX 2I,.V9bt towards construction of 40OKv l(aruma-Tororo Ttansmission line and 132Kv Ntinda Substation. g) UGX 2U2.fJ{lbt Hoima-Kinyara-IGfu 22OKv Ttansmission Line and Associated Substations h) UGX l5.(Xtbn towards Liquefred Petroleum Gas (LPG) supply and infrastnrcture intervention. Water Supply aad Saaltation: a. UGX 114.04bn towards Farm Income Enhancement and Forestry consenration Programme Phase b. UGX 127.95b1 towards Irrigation for Climate Resilience Project c. UGX 81.O7an towards Dwelopment of Solar Powered Irrigation and Water Supply Systems. d. UGX 81.82bn towards Investing in Forests and Pnotested Areas for Climate-Smart Dwelopment e. UGX 165.16ba towards Ifumpala water-l.ake Victoria water and Sanitation Project. f. UGX 40.(Xlbn towards Water Service Acceleration project (SCAP 1 O0o/ol Govetannce aad Sccurlty s a. 45O billion towards the 32 lPage *,s ft. .a6(dEr. p )

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

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

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

Is the Bill seconded? (Members rose) The Bill is seconded by the Hon. Kateshumbwa, the Veterans, Hon. Acon, Hon. Alanyo, Col. Nekesa, Hon. Okot, Hon. Mutembuli, MP from Kabale, Doctor, Hon. Ojok, Hon. Annet, Hon. Patience, MP for the Elderly, Hon. Betty, MP from Isingiro, Hon. Sam, MP from Alebtong, Dr Ayume, Hon. Siraji Ezama, MP from Tororo, and MP from Bukedi. Speak to your motion.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Compliance with the law All the ministerial policy statements under the committee’s purview complied with the requisite laws and regulation. Therefore, it is in order that the honourable member peruses through some of those annexes. I invite Members to focus on Vote 016: Ministry of Works and Transport, as I give observations and recommendations. Unpaid certificates Delayed payment to contractors has been and continues to be one of the major factors negatively affecting the construction industry in the works and transport sector. Long outstanding payables are an indication of poor budgeting and cause a risk of litigation and payment of penalties for delayed periods. Consequently, contractors lose the properties they use as collateral to acquire loans to execute government projects. Commercial banks, who are the main financiers of the industry, are losing confidence in government- funded projects, making these projects less competitive. The committee noted that the proposed budget for the Financial Year 2025/2026 has a budgetary requirement of Shs 1,735 billion, that is Shs 1.7 trillion towards areas and unpaid certificates for the National Roads Department, and yet only Shs 150 billion has been allocated, leaving a funding gap of Shs 1.5 trillion. The committee, therefore, recommends and urges the Government to provide additional resources to a tune of Shs 1.5 trillion to clear the outstanding debt, in order to avoid paying interest, which creates an additional financial burden to the taxpayers. Rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Railway Line The committee was informed that on 13 April, 2023, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Uganda Railways Corporation, as the implementing agency, signed a contract with the China Roads and Bridge Corporation to rehabilitate the 382 kilometres of Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway at a cost of Shs 199 billion. This project is fully funded by the Government of Uganda and was supposed to take a period of two years, with the completion date set at July 2025. The metre gauge railway will support the Government’s efforts to increase stock and quality of strategic infrastructure in order to accelerate Uganda’s competitiveness. The committee noted that while the ministry had budgeted for Shs 90 billion towards compensation, rehabilitation and supervision of civil works along the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway, only Shs 46 billion was provided, leaving a funding gap of Shs 44 billion. The committee takes cognisance of the crucial role that the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will unveil for northern Uganda and Uganda as a whole, upon completion, in terms of boosting economic growth through facilitating trade and transport, connecting the region to global markets and boosting key value chains like agriculture, cement, oil and gas. Therefore, it recommends and urges the Government to provide an additional Shs 44 billion for the metre gauge railway, if it is to be completed by the end of 2025. The committee further recommends that the metre gauge railway to Gulu be extended to Pakwach because the railway line infrastructure originally terminated at Pakwach and is still in existence, although it needs rehabilitation.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My observation is that the committee only captured Shs 44 billion for the compensation of the Tororo-Gulu Meter Gauge Railway Project, without indicating the compensation for the few landlords in Arua City that vacated their land for the construction of Arua Airfield. I pray that the committee also captures that, such that the few landlords who were not catered for, are catered for. Secondly, Arua-Biliefe Road - I am raising this again - and the Arua-Lia-Odramacaku Road are generating a lot of revenue for this country. We have border markets there. However, the roads are not in a good state, and I do not know how long they are going to take to work on them. The electorates keep asking us, and we are heading towards the campaign period. I pray that the ministry can provide an answer, or help us to work on those roads. Those are my two observations.

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

Mr Speaker, as I was saying, the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development should once again have the capacity to make a precise forecast of the Non- Tax Revenue. Once that is done, we shall get away from these additional supplementary time in and time out. That said, the report does not indicate to us in any way that the estimates for the health sector are equity-responsive. A subregion like Bukedi, which is very disadvantaged despite the enormous resource potential, seems to have been ignored in these estimates. How I wish the Ministry of Health could tell us when exactly Tororo General Hospital will be upgraded to Bukedi Regional Referral Hospital.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for their report. Mr Speaker, I want to entirely agree with you that we must prioritise the purchase of the PET Machine so that we end the challenge that Ugandans face. There is actually wrong diagnosis going on in this country. By the time they discover that somebody has cancer, the disease would have reached stage three or stage four. Therefore, we must find the Shs 62 billion. What is available is Shs 30 billion. What they need is Shs 92 billion. Let us put aside everything for the sake of ensuring that there is proper diagnosis. (Applause) Of course, we have been told that they receive 7,000 cancer patients annually and these are the ones that are diagnosed. However, there are people who have cancer out there and they even do not know. Secondly, can we focus instead of doing so many things at the same time? Uganda Cancer Institute already has a regional centre, fully constructed and commissioned, in Omoro and another one in Mbarara. There is a funding gap of Shs 15.9 billion. What has been provided is Shs 9 billion. Can we prioritise that? What goes on at the Uganda Cancer Institute – honourable colleagues, if you get there, you will actually feel sorry for them. It is terrible. It should not be a centre of excellence for oncology in the East African region. I support the committee’s report, saying we should prioritise. For Uganda Heart Institute, they just want to start constructing. Can we focus on the Uganda Heart Institute at Naguru and have it operational, first, before we think of starting other centres outside? Uganda Heart Institute is already running – I talked about the two. Can we first prioritise that and have it operational before we think of Hoima and another centre that they are thinking about? I want to move to the other – the digital X-ray machines. Thank you, Ministry of Health, for procuring this equipment. We have had a challenge of X-rays in this country. When I was the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), we took a new digital X-ray machine to Tororo. Unfortunately, five years down the road, this equipment has never worked. Just a small thing – (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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am also concerned about agricultural financing and accessibility to credit facilities. We made a resolution here in Parliament and the Government should act on that resolution which was taken by Parliament. The resolution said that the Government should establish an agricultural bank where the farmers can get affordable credit facilities. Mr Speaker, our farmers compete with business people in the commercial banks and yet the agricultural sector is vulnerable to climate changes. Lastly, I am also concerned about the importation of a lot of fertilisers from China, Netherlands and Kenya, aware that in 2018, the President and his Cabinet went to Tororo, Osukuru and opened a fertiliser facility but up to now, it has not been given enough funding to take off. What was the intention of the President moving from Kampala to Tororo to open up that facility? It was opened but at the end of the day, we have nothing from there and yet we are blessed as a country; we have phosphates, especially in Tororo. We should avail funds for this facility to take off – (Member timed out.)

16977 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 10 APRIL 2025 I will not go into the solid details of the methodology, the basics, and the mandates. They are very clear cut. You will read them. I am sure they have uploaded them on your iPads. Under Vote 001, Office of the President, we have the following observations - That is on page 6. We observe that there is inadequate office accommodation. The committee recommends that an additional Shs 2.8 billion be made available to Vote 001, annually, to enable the Office of the President to construct at least five offices each financial year, so as to mitigate the challenge of office space for Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) in the medium-term. You realise that out of 146 offices of RDCs, only 16 have been constructed, and that is where we have accommodation. The rest are renting. Under the same Vote 001, there is a big issue of Cabinet support and policy development, where we observed a big gap that needs at least, as a recommendation, Shs 1.976 billion to be provided to this vote, to facilitate interventions of Cabinet support and policy development. What they do, you can read above. Another key result area is the development and maintenance of National Leadership Institute (NALI), Kyankwanzi, where all of you have been. It has been under constant refurbishment and improvement to make life easy there for whoever wants to make use of it. They, however, have a shortage or big gaps. They had a budget of Shs 10 billion, and only Shs 2 billion was made available. We, therefore, recommended that an additional Shs 7.5 billion be allocated to vote 001 to facilitate the development of NALI, that is, Kyankwanzi. Under key issue number 274, that is facilitation for Resident District Commissioners, the offices - I have already talked about this. It is almost the same. Office and accommodation are the same. One is for office and one is for residence. We recommend that Shs 12.424 billion be provided for the facilitation of RDCs and that the size and nature of the districts – I am sorry. Can I take you back right, Mr Speaker? I want to go a little bit into greater detail on this one. I am talking about facilitation for the Resident District Commissioners. The committee observes that uniform facilitation to RDCs without consideration of the size and the nature of the districts, among other factors, does not ensure equality and allocation. Such districts include Wakiso - you all know Kasese, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Tororo, Sironko, and a few others. The committee is of the strongest view that providing facilitation to RDCs while considering the size of districts served, the distances covered from Kampala, and those hard-to-reach areas, should improve on their roles and therefore their take-home as far as fuel and other related facilitations are concerned. The committee recommends that at least Shs 12.424 billion be provided to facilitate RDCs and that the size and nature of the district be among the factors considered for allocation of this facilitation. Another issue of concern was support for the Afro-Arab Youth Council headquarters construction. The Afro-Arab Youth Council was formed by the youth of the African and Arab world –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to correct something. When he signed, he told me to take the document to the office of the Clerk and I did that. Let me go straight to the areas of dissent. In accordance with Rule 205 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament of Uganda, the minority members of the committee dissent from the opinion of the majority committee, on the following grounds; 1. Failure to lay on Table the Ministerial Policy Statement of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Mr Speaker, pursuant to Rule 146 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, each minister responsible for a Vote, ministry or head responsible for a Vote shall by the 15 th day of March submit to Parliament a policy statement for the preceding financial year for the ministry or Vote. To that fact, Vote 167 and Vote 110 – Science, Technology and Innovation and Uganda Industrial Research Institute, respectively – failed to lay on Table their Ministerial Policy Statements for the Financial Year 2025/2026. They acknowledged this before the committee, that they were unable to table their Ministerial Policy Statements on time. 2. Concerns regarding the proposed increase in the facilitation budget for RDCs in six districts – as named in the observation of the majority report The majority report, on page 8, recommended that Shs 12.424 billion be provided for facilitation of Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and that the size and nature of each district be among the key factors considered. The districts are; Kasese, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Wakiso, Tororo and Sironko. Based on the recommendation, each Resident District Commissioner is expected to receive Shs 2.071 billion, annually. This is twice the budget of the district road fund. Each RDC is supposed to receive that – if you compute – annually, which translates to Shs 172 million per month. To put this into perspective, this is an amount equivalent to the annual roads maintenance budget for a typical township. A case in point is that Wakiso District currently has five Deputy RDCs, each assigned to oversee a specific area. Entebbe has a Deputy RDC, Kira has a Deputy RDC, Kasangati has a Deputy RDC, Makindye has a Deputy RDC, Makindye-Ssabagabo has a Deputy RDC and Nansana Municipality also has a Deputy RDC. In addition to these RDCs, there is an overall RDC for the district. Furthermore, the President recently appointed five Assistant RDCs in Wakiso, bringing the total number of appointees in the RDC’s office to 11 individuals. This level of staffing in a single district raises concern of overstaffing, especially at a time when the country faces numerous critical funding needs in essential sectors. The proposed allocations, if implemented without efficiency checks and accountability could divert substantial resources from priority areas such as health, education and infrastructure. What do we propose? We propose that additional funds should not be provided to facilitate the RDCs, based on the size and nature of the districts. In fact, the number of

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to start from the issue regarding the RDCs. Honourable chairperson, you mentioned some districts including Kasese, Nsingiro, Tororo, Wakiso and others - about six of them but I urge you to have a national lens - Honourable Alex, I am talking to you but you are engaged elsewhere. (Laughter) Why didn’t you have a lens towards the northern part of Uganda? A case in point is a district that I represent; Oyam, which is very big and my RDCs are really suffering because of the big size of the district. Mr Speaker, the number of the RDCs that we have now is enough. For example, we have four who can traverse the entire district if they are fully facilitated. Secondly, I would like to add my voice to the Youth MP’s voice about the Afro-Arab Youth Conference, which our country is about to

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. My concern is also on the Shs 12.424 billion which has been allocated to only six districts. The report was very clear and it mentioned Wakiso, Kasese, Isingiro, Ntungamo, Tororo and Isingiro, meaning others have been left out. I therefore recommend that this Shs 12.424 billion be reallocated to other –

It says, the com - mittee was informed that the Office of the Pres - ident requires Shs 34.604 billion to provide facilitation to the RDCs, but only Shs 24.18 billion is provided for in this financial year, re - sulting in a funding gap of Uganda Shs 10.424 billion. The committee noted that the inadequate fa - cilitation - I can jump that, but it says, “The committee further noted that the uniform facil - itation to the RDCs without consideration of the size and the nature of the districts, among other factors, even beyond size, does not en - sure equality in allocation. Such districts in - clude; Wakiso, Kasese, Isingiro, Tororo, and Sironko.” This is page 8. How do you now say that the money they are asking for is only for these districts? Oh, okay - If that is the interpretation, Hon. Balimwezo has understood it but for the record - I know you are someone who is usually - you do not put too much politics in things. Honourable, this is plain, why don’t you -

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I wish to add my voice to thank the chairperson, but I think the Committee on Local Government needs to get out of this House and move upcountry to know which administrative units are bigger than others. We cannot continue relying on Members of Parliament or local governments coming over – we want to create this. There are some big districts, I can tell you – when you look at the statistics now – like Tororo, Kasese, Ntungamo and Isingiro; there are even more. When you get Shs 1 billion, give it to one of these young districts that have about four or eight subcounties, you will find that there is one which has about 38 or 40 parishes like in Tororo and many others.

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the honourable minister. Colleagues, what the minister needs to do for us - UDB has branches countrywide. However, the resources that the Government is allocating to UDB are limited, small and cannot serve this country. What we need to do is ensure you capitalise UDB with adequate funding so that it can serve the people of Tororo, Arua and so forth. But as of now, the resources in UDB are so limited that the investment that we need cannot be addressed.

Madam Speaker, investment has been spreading across the country. We have potential investors - Hon. Ekanya and I, in Tororo, have people who want to access this funding. But because it is not well saturated in terms of information, our people remain hanging around microfinance, Emyooga , etcetera. Let us request this bank to open branches in the regional headquarters, spread them, and our people will go there. I assure you that they will be eligible and benefit from these resources. Thank you.

16667 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 6 MARCH 2025 Aware that this is now becoming a security threat, the prayer of our people is as follows: 1. The security personnel that are already evicting people from this piece of land should be addressed so that our people can peacefully continue using this land. 2. In the National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto, the President, at the beginning of this term, offered an industrial park to Tororo. We have been grappling with where to find this land. Our people are saying 360 acres of land is sufficient to host the industrial park where they can benefit from the same. Thank you.

16676 MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION solution we are implementing now is removing heavy trucks from the roads by constructing the Standard-Gauge Railway (SGR). It is going to take some time, but once we have it from Tororo, where Hon. Ekanya comes from, to Kampala and from Kampala to Gulu and the rest of the country, the road accidents will definitely reduce. It is long-term. These other immediate measures are continuous sensitisation.

16558 THE CONTRACT FARMING BILL, 2023 Tororo County North and Tororo District and the 120 in other parts of the country are given their PDM funds. Mr Speaker, we are coming to the end of our term. How do you expect Geofrey Ekanya and you, Mr Speaker, to visit others yet we have 120 parishes not receiving PDM funds in the fifth year? One of them is in Kabale where the minister for finance comes from. What is happening? I am seeking your indulgence to ensure that the directive and the resolution of this Parliament, where we appropriated money, is upheld; that these parishes receive their money.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Unfortunately, we are now moving this way, yet we are aware that we even have debts of former employees whose services were terminated when the Government decided to do away with the agencies that they owned at that time. Maybe I will raise this tomorrow – we have people like employees of the former Posta Uganda, Tororo Cement, Uganda Cement Industries, and Uganda Railways – the list is long; they have never been paid. Now, we are getting into another challenge of RAPEX. The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development is here. When you read the statement by the Minister of Public Service, he is pushing the blame on the ministry for finance. It is the ministry for

16536 PRIME MINISTER’S TIME I have personally written letters to UNRA, Ministry of Works and Transport, Office of the Prime Minister, and the President’s Office, but no valid attention has been paid to my pleas. His prayer is a request that we take interest in this matter and provide an update. Madam Speaker, Bwizibwera-Nsiika- Nyakashaka-Nyakabirizi Road with a spur to Kabwohe, is in the National Development Plan (NDP) III and in the NRM Manifesto of 2021- 2026. The road is being implemented in phases. Even yesterday, the President, while in Bushenyi, talked about the same road and that the road will be implemented in phases; (i) A civil commercial contract for the upgrade of Bwizibwera-Nyakambu-Nsiika with a spur to Kabwohe road was signed in March 2023 and awaits confirmation of financing before physical works can commence. (ii) A detailed design for the upgrade of Nsiika- Nyakashaka-Nyakabirizi Road (48.3km) is currently ongoing and is expected to be completed by May 2025. Thereafter, procurement of civil works contractors will commence. Madam Speaker, upgrading of Nsiika-Ibanda- Kabujogera-Mashooro-Rwenjaza-Kyambura has been considered in National Development Plan IV (NDP IV) and will be prioritised subject to availability of resources. Madam Speaker, I want to thank you on this note because the Members do not give detailed information. That is why I am on question number eight. Hon. Shartsi Musherure, MP, Mawogola County North: Following the dissolution of both the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), and the Uganda Road Fund as part of the rationalisation process, her prayer was: could the Office of the Prime Minister clarify how people of Mawogola North, Ssembabule will ensure the completion of the promised Akagari Bridge, which connects Gomba to Ssembabule District? I wonder how they will do it. Madam Speaker, my response is that the Akagari Bridge on River Katonga is on a district road. Following the request from the area Members of Parliament, the former Uganda National Roads Authority intervened and installed the culverts that made the location motorable. The district will be advised to complete the outstanding works using the Shs 1 billion. Hon. Michael Timuzigu Kamugisha MP, Kajara County, Ntungamo asked that all counties in Uganda be turned into districts except 19, which are in the districts of Ntungamo, Isingiro, Kasese and Tororo. These districts are treated like former counties in provision of all services and staff. Each has one road maintenance unit, one district hospital, gets the same share of Government-sponsored students in public universities, gets the same share of seed schools and construction of primary schools, to mention but a few. According to Hon. Timuzigu, these districts have, therefore, not been able to fairly benefit from the decentralisation policy and are slowly being left behind in development. For example, in Ntungamo, parents have to first build primary school classrooms up to window level for the district local government to come in and do the completion and this is against the Government policy of no-fees payment in Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools. Prayer: When is the Government going to complete the harmonisation of district sizes by giving the remaining 19 counties district status to start developing at the rate of other districts? Madam Speaker, my response is that the Ministry of Local Government issued a moratorium, suspending creation of any new local government units or alteration of boundaries in April 2021, under which we were still operating, until a new position is approved by the Government.

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I welcome Hon. Opendi for giving us—by the way, our dear guests. Hon. Opendi comes from Tororo. When I talk about Tororo, it is at the border between Uganda and Kenya. Therefore, we can allow, with permission from the Speaker, Hon. Opendi to come and accompany the guests.

Why do you talk about Bukedea and not Tororo or TGS? (Laughter)

There are two former IGPs who have died. You are talking about the one from Tororo -

Tororo.

15882 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 ii. The committee also noted that the Judiciary and the DPP run different digital E-Systems, yet their products are linked. The committee proposes that digitalisation of the two entities should be centralised to save money. iii. The committee was concerned about the high failure rate at the Law Development Centre. iv. The committee noted that the Uganda Human Rights Commission was advocating for a salary enhancement, yet it is due for merging with the Equal Opportunities Commission, where their salary will be enhanced based on the salary of the Equal Opportunities Commission. The committee recommends that the Uganda Human Rights Commission should await the implementation of the merger. J) Committee on Physical Infrastructure i. The committee was concerned that the Government was planning to compensate individuals who knowingly encroached on land belonging to Uganda Railways Corporation. There is a request of Shs 550 billion to compensate the people on the Tororo-Gulu railway line. We were concerned that this is an old railway – I am told the Government has a different opinion. ii. The committee was concerned that there is selective granting of contracts to former employees of UNRA. They say some are working and others are not working. iii. The committee noted that the Government was looking at Uganda Airlines purely as an infrastructure development, yet we also need to maximise the economic benefits therefrom. For example, we need to deliberately find market for Ugandan cargo at the destinations where Uganda Airlines flies. Our airlines go to different places but they do not carry cargo because we have not negotiated with the different countries to which we carry the different cargo. The standards are still an issue. iv. The committee raised concern about foreigners operating Uganda Airlines flights. That was answered. v. The committee was concerned that there is paralysis on road projects that were being worked on by UNRA and called upon the Government to expedite the process of settling the sector once and for all. K) Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries i. The committee called for the establishment of a clear seed production strategy for Uganda. We have not come out clearly. Who is in charge of certification of seeds – whether it is coffee, maize or beans – for the country? ii. The committee noted that all areas of the country should be encouraged to grow perennial crops because they are better at creating wealth than the short-term crops. iii. The committee was concerned about the fact that there is an increase in fish catches, but a decline in fish exports. The Government should look into that matter. iv. The committee was concerned that there are many unqualified people posing as extension workers. v. The committee noted inconsistencies between the Certificate of Financial Implication on the rationalisation of entities and the budget under consideration. What is said under RAPEX, as savings – I think this matter will come in detail in the RAPEX paper. We have problems there. L) Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs i. The committee was concerned that the army was asking for funds to monitor elections, yet it is the mandate of the Uganda Police Force (UPF). The committee recommends that this situation should be harmonised.

15884 THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR THE FY 2025/2026 - 2029/2030 budget cut of Shs 100 billion for the National Medical Stores (NMS) but he said, he put back the money. We are happy to have heard from Hon. Henry Musasizi that he has put back the money; the Shs 100 billion for NMS, which was not in the Budget Framework Paper. The committee was also concerned that last financial year, the Ministry of Health bought ambulances for certain constituencies and dispatched them. However, in this current budget, there is no proposal to buy the rest of the ambulances for the remaining constituencies. Why? The recommendation is that the Government should provide the resources to buy the ambulances for the remaining constituencies. The committee was concerned about the increase in the number of drug expiries at the National Medical Stores, as reported by the Auditor-General. The committee was informed that a number of expiries arose from the frequent changes of the HIV antiretroviral regimens. The Government should look into that, because they need a lot of money to just destroy expired drugs, instead of using it to buy new drugs. The committee was also concerned that the Auditor-General found out that only 15, out of the 27 beds in the Intensive Care Unit of Mulago National Referral Hospital, are fully functional. The committee was also concerned about the absenteeism of staff in health centres IV across the country. The average is very low. The committee noted that the different health service providing entities are requesting for training funds. The committee recommends that the training function should be centralised to the Ministry of Health to ensure proper coordination. There was also a concern from colleagues from the Bukedi Subregion. They asked; why is their region without a regional referral hospital? They pray that Tororo Hospital be upgraded into a regional referral hospital. The committee was also concerned that funds for the maintenance of existing ambulances were not provided for in the budget. There was a budget to that effect. The committee noted that Uganda is faced with an increase in mental health problems among the population. The committee was informed that the regional referral hospitals are lacking in terms of mental health units and they have a shortage of staffing. The committee was concerned about the irresponsible reporting of disease outbreaks in a manner that scares away tourists. Our media tends to scare and report irresponsibly. They say that the mpox disease has affected the whole country, and that scares away tourists. The committee was also concerned about the congestion at the Uganda Cancer Institute and the need to address that. Mr Speaker, those are the highlights of the Budget Framework Paper. We submit these details through this House and adopt them to the Government. Mr Speaker, the summary of additional key funding requirements, as per the sectoral committee recommendations, are in the table from pages 48 to 102. Please, Members, take a chance to print this. This is now the “bible” where the lawyers say “the devil is in the details.” I do not know why they say that. You could actually help yourself and find the details. For example, under the agriculture ministry, there is what is provided for under the Budget Framework Paper, what is missing, and what is noted under different ministries. You look at agriculture, which is our key sector –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to thank the committee for its report. However, it is disturbing. I know we have already discussed the issue of the Shs 10.3 trillion shortfall in the budget compared to the NDP IV. When you look at this budget, and specifically the minority report – allow me to thank Hon. Ssemujju for his minority report – there are areas that we can do away with and focus on areas that affect the population. There was a slogan, “Kisanja hakuna mchezo”. I still want to implore the Government to get back to that and stop the issue of “ mchezo ” because at the end of the day, the people who sustain us – the ordinary people who pay taxes – do not benefit. When you look at the funding to the health sector, Mr Speaker, there are funding gaps in medicines and in upgrading of health facilities from health centres II to health centres III. We still have subcounties without health centres III and subcounties without health centres IV. As I was seated there, a mother passed on and will be buried today because of a lack of timely access to services. There are subcounties where people have to move long distances when a mother is referred to a higher facility with a doctor and a theatre and there are no ambulances. Therefore, Mr Speaker, I want to request the Executive that this is within their power. Let us do away with some of these wasteful expenditures. I am paid by a taxpayer. I am smartly dressed. Does the taxpayer have to again spend on me to dress me? I believe that the budget for dressing - whoever is benefitting from that budget - let us limit it to the President and all the other beneficiaries. The Shs 132 billion shillings can be spent on other areas, Mr Speaker. When you look at the funding gap in the education sector: On the issue of the new curriculum, we are going to have a challenge. We are going to have exam results released soon and you will be shocked at the performance of many children, specifically in the upcountry schools. There is a funding gap of Shs 12 billion. Can we prioritise that and ensure that we have the children learn and understand this curriculum so that they can also benefit and move on with their education and not drop out of school? Mr Speaker, we are aware that we have a challenge with the vocational training in this country. It still remains expensive and the majority who are in the rural schools, dropping out at Senior Four, would actually go to vocational schools or technical schools. However, they cannot do this because it is expensive. I would like to request - moving away from that, when you look at the infrastructure sector, we have a funding gap for the metre- gauge railway. We have grappled with this. SOGEA was actually working on this metre- gauge railway line from Tororo all the way to northern Uganda. SOGEA pulled out because the Government failed to fulfil its part. We had to procure a new contractor and now, in procuring a new contractor, there is still a funding gap of Shs 44 billion.

15901 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 30 JANUARY 2025 We rely so much on road transport and it is becoming costly because when you look at the trucks that move from Malaba to northern Uganda via Tororo, there are so many on the road and yet we do not even have enough funds to maintain the roads. We have talked of expanding the road to at least four lanes. On the eastern route, if you move now, from here, there is traffic jam all the way to Iganga. It is after Iganga that you are a bit free and you can move. Mr Speaker, over-reliance on the road sector is a challenge. Can we prioritise and ensure that the goods that come to this country move via rail? Shs 44 billion - If I look at some other wasteful expenditures like the ones I have seen, we can ensure that these funds are availed so that that metre-gauge railway line can be worked on. Mr Speaker, I want to move on to the issue of rationalisation. We sat here and we asked whether we could stagger. It was rejected and we were told it must be immediate. We had said agencies like UNRA, you know, I do not know which other one should be given at least a year or two, and then we rationalise. We said, “No” here and the agencies were rationalised. Now, seeing a gap of Shs 169 billion to pay UNRA workers, Uganda Road Fund - and I am sure others - there is that gap and that is their package. People are now confused. They are not working. If you go to most of our UNRA stations upcountry, there is only one staff and people are seated. Can we pay these people their money because we are the ones who took the decision - and this was a Government position? Therefore, honourable Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, I want to request that the Executive prioritises that because we heard you loud and clear and we had to act based on what you told us. Mr Speaker, the other one - can I complete on the issue of domestic arrears? It pains me that people supply or do work for this Government and at the end of the day, three years or four years down the road, people are not paid. Businesses have collapsed. Can we ensure that we prioritise that in this budget? You cannot put a mere Shs 200 billion; that may be paying just one supplier or one contractor, yet what is outstanding is about Shs 5 point- something billion. The other money went to the Bank of Uganda, which according to the committee report has already been catered for. The Auditor-General has annually raised this as an issue. Can we prioritise the issue of domestic arrears so that people can continue their businesses? Let us be kind to Ugandans.

But you do not have time. You can only give what you have; your time was already up. – No, honourable member, the clarification I was making was simple. These clubs do not even make money. In fact, golf clubs all over the world do not make money, but they protect the area through green spaces. Go to Fort Portal, Arua, they are the only ones – Mbarara, Kampala or Entebbe. I played golf with the Speaker of Singapore, and he said, “I really cannot believe it; I am next to a zoo, and I am in a very green area”. The oldest club in East Africa – Tororo. But in the end, if you do not support their maintenance, they will be stolen like the one of Gulu. They did not see any value; so they shared it. They built houses even in Lira. You are going to lose them. Now, they are being protected using the little money that comes from members. If you tax it, then you are taxing the land, and it will be gone. That is it. These clubs will be nowhere. In fact, you do not budget for them. They are just held in trust and protected by the public. Hon.

15842 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT For me, who represents a border constituency that became a corridor of movement for those who were fleeing to Kenya, and those who settled in the nearby district in Kenya, they were benefiting from raiding in Uganda for purposes of surviving the other side. This is because they could not raid the Kenyans. I have gone to the Attorney-General’s office several times; he is aware. I have presented lists of those along the borderline – the Force Obote Back and many other groups. All these people were just leaving. If Hon. Ecweru was here - he has time and again, whenever he is in Tororo, talked about their movement, the coordination, the areas that were affected, and the areas that benefited them. He has always been very frank. He has enumerated this. People have listened attentively. They even kept saying “I remember it was even your group that took my animals” and many other things. I thank my colleagues who have raised the position of a comprehensive policy that should take care of all of us. Time and again, when people hear that compensation has started in Gulu, Lango, and Teso, they ask questions. Some of these people who have been compensated on that side were also among those benefiting from our side. Let us look at how we can take care of all these areas. Now it – (Member timed out.)

15843 THE E LEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY , 29 JANUARY 2025 why they did not roll over because when the Attorney-General was reading his response for one financial year, I noted that while Shs 50 billion was budgeted for, nothing was released. Why wasn’t it rolled over to the subsequent financial year? Then, another question to the Attorney- General is: when it came to compensation of the identified and verified claimants, did you also use the pro-rata basis because you used it for districts? If yes, then, how come some claimants did not get compensated because if it is on a pro-rata basis, everyone would get within the limits of what is available? Did you also apply it when it came to top-up, as you said? Mr Speaker, compensation is touching. My senior, Hon. Fox Odoi, said that what we are discussing is actually ex-gratia. I support the committee that we need a comprehensive policy, to that effect. If what has been identified by Hon. Mujungu is not sufficient, we then need that comprehensive policy. This is because it would imply that the criteria would be very clear. It would have the law, and if need be, would have the regulations, which would really simplify everything. Hon. Cuthbert Abigaba, thank you for bringing up that issue. When one comes from Ankole, they will not think that it was ever affected. Hon. Basil Bataringaya raised issues here. When we were young - I am sure, Mr Speaker, you remember - Mbarara was in tatters. There was a group of people called the Anyanya - you would not go to Mbarara. It was put down. The Allied Defence Forces (ADF) from the Tororo Subregion terrorised Ibanda and some parts of Ankole. Hon. Cuthbert said during the Christmas celebrations of 2023, the ADF activities were still going on there. Hon. Cuthbert, for your information, more than half of the people who died were from Ibanda. Mr Speaker, in the circumstances that we need to have this comprehensive policy, we should note that even Western Nile was affected. Do not hear these issues of only northern, Teso and some others. That would mean, considering a cut-off - all those would be catered for within the policy and the Government would handle the issue of compensation with guidance either to finality or in bits. Otherwise, minus that, it will be done in bits or piecemeal, and it will remain ex gratia without any formula. Thank you.

15850 STANDING COMMITTEE R E PORT and their stories are touching. I appreciate the committee and the Attorney-General, but as you have observed, this matter needs another comprehensive approach. Mr Speaker, the Indians were compensated during Amin’s Government, and it kept records of those who had not been qualitatively or quantitatively compensated. We enacted a law, the Expropriated Properties Act, and the Departed Asians’ Property Custodian Board, which took custody of the records. Even though those governments fell, there was a programme to compensate them. I want to task the Attorney-General to have a comprehensive approach. Even when your Government goes, there will be other governments that will compensate these people in a manner that is more understandable. Mr Speaker, it was shocking when the honourable member said that people whose cows were taken are compensated Shs 250,000. Are those rats in Tororo? Mr Speaker, I am concerned.

Is that the cost of rats in Tororo? (Laughter)

I am sorry. I have seen a rat being eaten in Tororo and I do not know how much it costs, Mr Speaker. I would like to ask the Government to compile a list. Even when this Parliament goes and the 12 th Parliament comes, or when another Government comes in, where there is a list, the Government will compensate these people to their satisfaction. Thank you. Before I sit, Mr Speaker, we lost a – (Member timed out.)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. As we speak, there is paralysis at the Malaba border point - that is the border between Uganda and Kenya. Malaba is in Tororo D istrict. It is said that the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) uniforms were being imported in the country. Unfortunately, when the people contacted URA, they stated that they did not know about these uniforms. The person who was responsible was a Kenyan national who was later arrested and brought to an unknown place here at the Centre. The people in Kenya, around the border, have blocked the border point. There are no vehicles moving from Uganda to Kenya and for us, that is a concern because we are now worried about children – (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the minister for his statement and acknowledge that we have made steady progress in this country and we, as women - unlike before the 1995 Constitution, we had very few women in the political spaces and the boardrooms. We want to commend the NRM Government for enacting a new Constitution and ensuring inclusion. The honourable minister, in his submission, did talk about the infrastructural development; we must acknowledge that, indeed, the NRM Government has made progress in increasing the kilometres of paved roads in this country. Currently, we speak of over 6,000 kilometres; we would have loved to have more but because of constrained resources, we are unable to. With steady progress, we shall ensure that we have more paved roads. However, with these paved roads, we need to transition away from road transport into railway transport. And I want to thank His Excellency, the President that on the 21 st of November, he commissioned the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway in Tororo District. That is something, Mr Speaker that we are all waiting for. The construction is supposed to start in Tororo by a Turkish company, Yapi Merkezi. However, when the President came to commission this project, we needed to have ensured that there was a clear right of way and that we did not have hurdles that would stop the construction of this long-awaited Standard Gauge Railway, something that would help us move away from relying on road transport, especially for transporting our goods. There are many road accidents today on our roads, partially because of the many vehicles - the trucks - everybody is on the road. However, Mr Speaker, in order for us to move on with this project, we have something; allow me to raise this. We have a school called Morukatipe View Primary School in Tororo that is around the community where this Standard Gauge Railway is supposed to start the construction of the –

The Government released money to relocate this school. Money was paid to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Engineering Brigade and Tororo Municipal Council. It is one year down the road and the technical people have been moving in circles regarding the procurement of the land. When the President came, they stopped us from raising this. The Minister of Works and Transport and the Attorney-General all said they were going to handle this matter. The Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA) has already given guidance to the Tororo Municipal Council to proceed and procure land within the community. They advertised for anybody who has land and we had people outside the community area applying to provide land. We need land in this very community. The land has been identified and given by the community. The Tororo Municipal Council is still dragging its feet. The schools are to open on the 4th of February and by now we would have had classrooms constructed. This is a primary school; they are being told to move to another location. Imagine children of Primary One walking long distances to another school? I want to appeal to the Minister for the Presidency, the Attorney-General - the Minister for Economic Monitoring was in my district in March, and she found this challenge.

Thank you very much, Madam Speaker. The President has written several letters on the pre-financing of various roads. One of the other roads that I want to bring to the attention of this House is the Nabumali- Busolwe-Namutumba Road and that also connects Tororo-Nagongera Road –

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

Thank you. I hope the Government is taking note because you will respond to all of them. Member for Tororo- Doctor.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for the opportunity and your communication regarding the disaster that is now covering the whole country in terms of flooding. I think that on this note, we need the Government to come up with a comprehensive plan for addressing this emergency. If we started now with each one submitting on this subject, you will find that there is no safe place. In Tororo, almost every corner is now cut off; the main bridge to Rubongi is cut off. That is why the landslides are occurring across mountainous areas. That is why we need to press the Government to come up with an urgent plan to address this disaster. You alluded to the issue of bringing here an amendment to revise the Red Cross Act and I thought that other than shifting our direction to an international agency- (Hon. Ekanya rose_) Are you giving me information or clarification? Okay, clarify.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. As I conclude, I think you rightly guided that the Red Cross Society of Uganda is part of an international humanitarian agency. I think that other than leaving it to be getting subventions from the Ministry of Health or the Office of the Prime Minister, we as Parliament, should recognise that the Uganda Red Cross is doing quite a lot of humanitarian work in terms of disaster occurrences in this country. We need to compel the Government to make it a substantive vote where money is voted for immediate response. (Applause) I also want us to recognise that we have a fully- fledged Ministry of Disaster Preparedness and Refugees. We should not be shifting our attention to an international agency rather than focusing on the ministry over which we have oversight. Finally, as I conclude my submission, the Government needs to mobilise emergency humanitarian assistance across the country. People are displaced by floods, they have lost crops, and they are trying to harvest crops prematurely, like in Tororo, most of the crops are now rotting. The Government needs to come in to see the people who are displaced and need emergency shelter and rescue operations, like in mountainous areas where people have been buried in mudslides.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Hon. Otaala from Tororo to the North, Bunyoro. Everybody is crying. Those who are crying loudest so far are from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) side –(Interjection) - I am raising a procedural issue, if you can wait. I was born in Masaka so I usually go home. That bridge in Katonga, which was swept away now more than three years ago, has not been fixed, so are many others before you raise the new one. Madam Speaker, you listed disasters in your communication and forgot one disaster that befell this country; the disaster of the NRM, 38 years in power. Therefore, the procedural issue I am raising is whether -

Madam Speaker, when this House requested the Government to increase funding to the districts for road maintenance, the Government actually agreed to top up what the road fund was giving us with Shs 1 billion. Unfortunately, what has happened is that the money that the districts used to get from the road fund was cut and now it is the Shs 1 billion which is available. For example, in Tororo, we used to get Shs 608 million. We thought with the additional Shs 1 billion, we would be able to do something. What the district is getting is Shs 20 million per quarter from Shs 688 million, and yet we have 42 sub-counties. Surely, how do you expect districts to maintain roads with Shs 26 million for a whole quarter? Therefore, the procedural issue that I am raising is for the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to inform this House why they cut the monies that districts were receiving under the road fund. This is because the Shs 1 billion was supposed to be additional. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Thank you so much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, there are very many accidents on the roads. Although we are talking about the two generals, it is important to point out that accidents on these roads have increased. On very many roads; Masaka Road, Jinja Road, Tororo Road, Busia Road, Entebbe Road – there is a spot on Entebbe Road, I think around Nkumba, that has claimed very many people; at the university stage. We have seen buses of students - even in town here. Last year, in July - I think it was the 13 th of July - this matter came in this very House and the Rt Hon. Speaker then convened a meeting between Minister of Works and Transport, Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the LOP, I think there was Minister of Internal Affairs - Mr Speaker, I have a copy of the Hansard here. After that meeting, very many interventions were agreed upon in the immediate, medium, and long-term. Mr Speaker, some of these interventions were to do with: 1. Initiating pop-up messages by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance; 2. Replacing the missing road infrastructure; 3. Towing abandoned vehicles; 4. Immediate removal of roadside markets; 5. Compliance with the right-of-way and use of lead cars; [Mr Ruhunda] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

14252 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE HON. SARAH MATEKE NYIRABASHITSI She was a Christian and did not discriminate anybody. She was also very accommodative. One time I asked her, “ Do you really come from Kigezi ?” She said, “Yes, I am a proud woman from Kigezi” and then she asked me, “ Why do you ask ?” I said, “ The answer is that obviously in Kigezi, some people use politics and religion in a not-so friendly way ” . She then told me that she was playing the middle role. How I wish that we could emulate her. (Applause) I thank Hon. Sarah Mateke for her dedicated service to this nation. As a person who worked with the children and youth, when she came to the ministry, she paused the question, “ Who is attending to the spouses and children of the soldiers? Can I get permission to engage?” The Top Management Committee of the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs agreed with her. Unfortunately, before she could start that, she is gone. I had been in the ministry for about two and a half years but I never had that in mind. She knew all the people who are not providing for their children in this House - those who have children carelessly. She was very passionate about every parent being responsible and I know nobody was her client in this House. So, we shall miss her intervention on the spouses and the children of the uniformed men and women. We do not know - because she was yet to start, after the events that we have this month. We shall miss her greatly and I do not know - at 50 years, she is gone. In that ministry, I was about two or three years older than her. She was the same age as the Chief of Defence Forces. We were really basking on things - that we are witnessing a transition in our lifetime; transition in such a way that, how else would you term it or say that an Oboth from Tororo is a Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, another one from Kigezi and another one from West Nile? I do not know which other president would have made me a minister in Defence, when we know the critical role that the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs plays. Hon. Sarah, you played your role; you smiled with all of us. The last time she came to my office was the other Tuesday, before we went to Gulu and she said she would not attend that sitting. She said, “I feel bad” - because I had delegated her to go to the East African Community event in Nairobi and then I had a thanksgiving, so we had a discussion. She walked in and said , “What do we do?” Then I said, “No, we shall delegate Hon. Huda not to go anywhere but Gulu”. She said, “ I will come back on Friday, but I will come to the function in Tororo”. Therefore, she came back on Friday and travelled to Tororo. During the last public event she attended in the east, her words were, “God is good all the time.” I did not know Hon. Sarah meant that even today I should say, “God is good.” Rest in peace. (Applause)

14121 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 29 AUGUST 2024 free education in government schools, but other people are pushing for charges for this one, for that. Please, if you want those children whom you say are street children - they are street children because many of them did not go to school. What is blocking them? School charges. So, the political class, all the elite, please, if you say you care about your people, support my position on free education. If you do not want to support that, then keep quiet, and let the children suffer. Do not just talk. This is the second point. Seeking for homestead incomes and free education in Government schools. We have been begging since 1990, it is almost 30 years now. UPE, they put charges. If there are unmet costs, bring them. You are Members of Parliament, I am President here, you are there, and we budget together. You come from those areas. Come and we budget. Let us block all these other expenditures and provide free education for the children in the Government schools. Do not go and say, I am paying for children in my constituency. How many are you paying for? 10. How will 10 children in a constituency solve the problems apart from putting you in debt? You are killing yourself, you are killing the children, you are doing nothing. Listen to NRM. Just have free education in the Government schools. Those who have money to build private schools can go to private schools, the children of the rich. I started my school in Okwang, near my village in Baralegi. I had calculated there that if I could give capitation grant of so much, there would be no other school costs that are not met. The capitation grant is set, but I think they still charge school fees. I have got free schools in Kisozi. They do not pay any cost. They study. It can be done. So, free education, if we want our people to get out of poverty. About the infrastructure, I agree, especially the railway. Have we not repaired the railway line from Tororo to Gulu? Is it not repaired? They were repairing it. What happened? Works minister, Hon. Ecweru -

Thank you. City for Tororo?

Yes, city for Bukedi Subregion at Tororo.

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Over six months ago, the Local Councils I (LCIs) in my district brought to my attention the fact that since 2021 when the Government officially launched stamps for LC1s, they have not received those stamps to date. The Minister of State for Local Government committed to handling this matter, but the financial year ended without these LC1s receiving these stamps yet these are very important offices. Now, when you need a passport, or a letter of recommendation, people looking for employment or students applying for the Student’s Loan Scheme, need LC1 letters. May I know what is happening at the Ministry of Local Government and why up to now my LC1s in Tororo and those in quite a number of districts across the country, and some villages, are occupying offices without these stamps yet you officially launched them in 2021? The procedural issue I am raising is whether it is procedurally right for us to handle business as usual yet we are not receiving answers from the ministers.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I recall vividly that the Ministry of Local Government procured stamps, and honourable is not raising it for the first time because even Hon. Muzaale of Buzaaya County, Kamuli District, rose on the same issue, but we advised their chief administrative officers to write to us. We handle official matters formally. For those who wrote to us, the permanent secretary ordered their stamps from the Government printers and they received them. Once again, I beg that the Chief Administrative Officer of Tororo writes to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I rise to raise an issue of insecurity around Tororo and Bukedi generally. Yesterday, we woke up to the gruesome murder of the late Mr Joseph Olokojo, a retired head teacher of St Peter’s College Tororo. He was gruesomely tortured, burnt and left to death and finally, he succumbed to massive burn wounds at Mulago National Referral Hospital. In the past three months, we have been witnessing a lot of robberies and murders in Tororo, particularly murders of boda boda riders and people who have invested their Parish Development Model money.

It is really very important; institutional memory. Hon. Angura, yours are issues of Tororo; do not tell me that UWA has extended the map and –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We have a mentality here where many times, our people do not want to acknowledge and recognise the boundaries that are within the domain; either of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development or other agencies. As far as the boundaries of Tororo County and West Budama are concerned, we moved to the United Kingdom and we had to go to the Commonwealth archives. Now, when those boundaries – the report has been generated. I believe that this time, it should act as a precedent to everyone here. That when that report is laid on the Table, everyone should accept where the boundary marks were put yesterday by the colonial masters and it should be recognised today, unless otherwise. Thank you.

Thank you, honourable. Member for Tororo?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The Government of Uganda undertook a programme of rehabilitating railway stations under the programme of the Metre Gauge Railway, and the plans were to rehabilitate the route between Tororo and Kampala. Butaleja, as a district, initially had two original routes; is Buliro and Budumba. Apparently, after further investigations and reminders to the Government, our stations were not reinstated, as we speak. Our people travel long distances to look for the nearest station. What plans does the Government have to correct the imbalance?

It is the metre gauge railway; the route between Tororo and Kampala.

Mr Speaker, I will ask Hon. Fred to come after me but I thought I should give some information to the House about the Standard Gauge Railway. We reduced the number of stations for the Standard Gauge Railway from Tororo to Kampala to three from the original 30. Why? It is because we think 85 per cent of the Standard Gauge Railway will be carrying cargo. Of course, we shall have a few stations where we shall offload cargo; the industrial areas; in Jinja, towards Mukono and Kampala. As for the metre gauge railway, the minister for transport is here. Hon. Fred Byamukama come and assist.

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

Cluatar 229,A6r,75t 257,499,800 3 Bug\Men Butalela Butebo Buglrl Namutumba Palhsa Tororo Kapchorwa 4 80,520,828 232,500,O00 223,080.000 696,207,225 380,000,0o0 Mbale Bukwo Kumr Sorotl 60,354,275 5 Serere 66,250,000 Amuru 179,300.O00 302,900,o00 368,695,00O 6 Nwoya Oulu Omoro Lrra Kole Dokolo 284,597 ,?Oo 220,OOO,OOO 369,115,000 244,379,OOO 7 t96,959,267 222,500,0O0 303,988,900 260,O00,O00 Oyam Kwama Apac I(asese l(abarole 351,739,s00 262,240,OOO 46t,423,373 8 392,624 OOO 690,075,980 9 lfrac Of Dlrtrlctr Cuau.htl DlrbEtacacnt (ucxl 196,980,O00 295,OOO,OOO 5t4,949,440 r83,335.174 B I unyangabu Kamwenge Krtag! .enda Kyenlolo 803,442.0O0 Kyegeg!r/a N *d,.- 7

ROID CI|OXEAT U!&r thb coapoacrt, thcrc l r prrt lor rc6oe.l of .cholc., rlon! irrD/EraLct lccoar rordr. MAAIF report d that rehabfitauve works for road chokcs on communtty access roads aie categonzed mto 3 phascs, Phlrc I: ? Plot dt trlct. . Ongorng rehab rtahon works (254 Kml m the 7 p ot dlstncts at 98 6010 overa.tl physrcal progress Works ln l(alungu, lganga. Buguen. Amum, Nebbr. and Pakwach and 1 contract ln Ntungamo were completed and handed over to the dtstncts for marntenance The contract for thc constructron of a bndge m Nturrgarno was ongomg at 55o/o Phr.c II: 2l rollout dLtdctr . The lvorks ln these dlstncts cover 105 road chokes spread over 376 9 km . lg drstnct slgned cont!'acts of whrch 13 had commenced tvorks These rnclude, Rakal, lslngrro, Bushenyr, Kakumro. and l(abale whrch were procured loca.lly by the dlstncts and Kyotera, Masaka, Bugm, Gulu, N!r.oya, Ruloga, Maracha and Krbale procuied cent ally bI. the Mmlstr)' . The contracts for Madt-Okollo and Mplgr were recommendcd for retendenng by the Mrnrstry Contracts Commrttec and were at redesrgn stagc Phrtc m: 29 Ro[out dlrttlct. . Thc procurement process for 145 road (hokcs sprcad over 487 7km rs at contract 8rgnng and slt hand over stage . 16 contracts had bcen srgncd and wcre rn the process of stte handov.r for t.llc contractors to commence works, except for thc contracts for ButaleJa, and Tororo that were strll under constderatron bJ. MCC "ffir4" N 2....< N F .E .€_ t7

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. My question to the Prime Minister is: in the country, we have 10,717 registered parishes. However, only 10,585 are the parishes that are receiving the PDM services. In Tororo, we have 17 parishes that are not receiving PDM services. We have so far given close to Shs 200 to 300 million under PDM. For these parishes that are not receiving, when will they start receiving these funds? The neighbouring parishes that are receiving are now overshadowing those that are not. People are just smelling the PDM funds from a distance. When will they also start receiving that money? In any case, will they receive the arrears that they have not received? I thank you very much.

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, I was making my case that at the time of independence, there were 11 subregions in this country. I must thank the mighty NRM Government for taking services closer to the people, including the creation of cities in each of those subregions and regional referral hospitals to take specialists closer to the people. The last one is Bukedi subregion. My direct question to you, Rt Hon. Prime Minister, is: when is Bukedi getting its city at Tororo and a regional referral hospital at Tororo? I thank you.

Mr Speaker, this week I got a copy of a letter from the cul - tural leader of the region, written to His Excel - lency the President, in which he said the peo - ple of Tororo had never requested for a city. He was clear and said they wanted another district, not a city. So, it is unless and until we get a request, in writing, from the district council, having consulted the lower local governments and the cultural institutions. For now, I do not see the issue of Tororo City. Thank you.

13588 TRIBUTE TO THE L A TE H ON. S I MON P E TER A L E P E R She woke up in the middle of the night to get in touch with A-Plus Funeral Services, together with Captain Mike Mukula. They were able to pick the body from Iganga, have it treated, and brought to Mulago Hospital. Mr Speaker, we want to thank the Speaker and your office for that response. (Applause) Secondly, I would like to thank the Central Executive Committee and the President for being in touch throughout this terrible time and quickly deciding that at his level of a member of the Central Executive Committee, he should be accorded an official burial. I would like to correct the write-up of my brother, Hon. Ssewungu. Most of you know Tirinyi Road from that corner called Bukoona. Hon. Aleper was knocked at around 1.00 a.m. on a straight road. Before reaching where he was knocked, there are humps. He was coming from Mbale to Kampala, just 6.3 kilometres before joining the Iganga-Bugiri-Tororo Highway. In addition, it was not a head-on collision. Up to now, the front of the car – which is at Iganga Police – is intact. It seems to me – because if it had been a knock on the side and if it was a car in motion, it would have overturned. It seems to me that Hon. Aleper had foreseen a trailer coming and moved onto the side of the road. However, the oncoming trailer – we imagine it was a trailer because of the knock on his door. He was the one driving and the tyre marks are on the side of the door up to today. That trailer, or whatever it was, was very big because the tyre marks reached the window level of a Toyota Land Cruiser V8, and the side of the car bore blue and yellow paint marks. The car did not overturn. It knocked him on the side and he died on the spot. Hon. Ssewungu, please tell your Leader of the Opposition to correct this write-up. It is not true. We are mourning. It is now 72 hours later but we have not received a report on the whereabouts of the killer truck. We have been told that it is unknown and it seems to me that it is going to be like what happened to late Hon. Okabe. We want to hear from the Government how far the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the police and the CIID have gone with the investigations to apprehend the killer truck. In the circumstances, even at the entrance to Tirinyi Highway, there are cameras at that corner and along that road. How come, up to this moment, the people of Karamoja have not been told the whereabouts of the killer truck? Please, we need that statement from the Government. At the level of Hon. Aleper, a member of the Central Executive Committee, up to now, we do not even know whether there is a specialised unit of Police following up on this truck. We have not got any information - at least we, Members of the Parliament, the Chairman of Karamoja Parliamentary Group, and the family have not got any information about the killer truck. The longer it takes, the more it will give people room to start suspicious talk. Please quickly give us the report on this. Get information from the cameras – whichever camera is working – and give us the report. Mr Speaker, Karamoja has lost a voice. When Hon. Aleper joined campus in 1996, or even before that, in 1994 – Actually after finishing Moroto High School, he did not have anybody to pay his school fees. We would like to thank the people of Cornerstone Academy in Luwero; they are the ones who picked him. When he went there, he performed very well and joined Makerere University. When he finished Makerere University, he joined a cadet course. He was actually in Jinja as a cadet officer. At some point, he decided to come out and pursue active politics. He was not chased. Hon. Aleper was a counsellor who preferred dialogue. He would logically walk you through a matter, maybe because of his background of doing political science and philosophy. He always wanted to develop consensus. He did a lot in the region. When we were in this Parliament, he was the publicity secretary for the Karamoja Parliamentary Group while I was the secretary and Hon. Sam Lokeris was the chairperson. We did a lot here. [Mr] Achia

We have the subvention under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development called Atomic Council for Council Expenses and Administrative Expenses. This was reduced by Shs 10 billion and these funds are required to meet staff and operational costs including salaries, gratuity, rent for office premises, utilities such as water, electricity, security and cleaning services. We have another subvention called Distribution and Land Acquisition. This was reduced by Shs 10 billion and the justification for reinstatement is that energy transmission and distribution is a top priority of the Government and these are funds to undertake projects aimed at transmitting energy from Karuma and substations. These funds are also required for compensation of project-affected persons for a number of projects as well as to undertake critical feasibility studies aimed at increasing electricity transmission and distribution. The major projects include the 345 kilometres of Karuma-Tororo 400 KV transmission line and Ntinda substation for Namanve, residual compensation works for Karuma and Isimba HPPs, Itanda and Karagara special conservation areas and other projects for feasibility studies in generation, transmission, nuclear and minerals.

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);

13475 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 13 JUNE 2024 We need low-cost money for the wealth creators, which is already available in the forms of PDM, Emyooga, and Uganda Development Bank loans(UDB). I really want to render irrelevant these money lenders and all these people who suck our people. We shall continue putting money in PDM, Emyooga , and UDB, so that the people who want wealth creation, have soft money; money that is not very expensive. On labour, we have electricity is going to be cheaper. Money for wealth creation will be cheaper. Labour is still not expensive. However - and those are the crucial factors when you are producing a good or a service; the cost of electricity; the cost of the money you borrow; the labour costs or the wages and the salaries, which are being paid to the workers. However, to further handle the issue of the cost of production that renders products and services competitive, correct this in my speech. This should be uncompetitive, we must reactivate rail and water transport for cargo. This is what is missing now. Electricity is being worked on, money for borrowing or production, not for importing - we are not giving you soft money for importing. If you want to import, you go to the moneylenders. You go to these other fellows, the commercial banks. Otherwise, if you are a wealth creator, we have money for you. The cost of labour is still low. But how about the cost of transport? Transport, not for people who are going to nightclubs. Those can pay whatever cost they are charged; it is up to them. If you do not want to pay, you stay home. So, when I say the cost of transport, I am talking about transport of goods and cargo. That is why the railway is our next big target. Railway for the goods and - especially for the goods, even people, but mainly for cargo. We must reactivate rail and water transport for cargo. We have repaired the old metre gauge from Malaba to Kampala, and also from Tororo to Gulu and Pakwach. We are going to start building the Standard Gauge Railway(SGR) from Malaba to Kampala, and from Kampala to Mpondwe in Kasese. Later we are going to expand the SGR to Gulu-Nimule. The railway will transform our capacity to create wealth. ‘Because once the railway is fully operational, then, the transport of goods from here up to Mombasa will be cheaper. From here up to Dar es Salaam, from here up to South Sudan and from here up to the Democratic Republic of Congo, it will be cheaper. It will also save the roads - because this crowding you see on the roads by the heavy trucks is because the railway is not working. When the railway starts taking off the trucks from the road – then the pipeline. We are also making pipelines for petroleum. Now, the passengers are on the road, the cargo is on the road and you also have the petroleum products on the road. That is why the road is under such pressure. The railway and the pipeline for petroleum will solve that problem. That means that only the passengers or light trucks will remain on the road. It will also cause less pollution and consume less fuel. This is because, on the road, you spend a lot of fuel due to slow movement. We are moving forward on the issue of introducing electric cars and electric boda- bodas – as you saw here. Therefore, these are the two additional strategic interventions: the railway and the pipeline for petroleum products. The other strategic intervention, which we need, to stabilise our economy forever, is irrigation for agriculture. The minister talked a bit about it here, but we need to put more emphasis on it. You know we are lucky that we have rains, but sometimes the rains delay and sometimes we have less rains and then we get a crisis of lack of food. So, to remove that occasional disturbance, we must have supplementary agriculture arrangements. Much of the time, we shall have the rains, but if the rains do not come, there should be standby irrigation. With these, plus what I said in the State-of-the-Nation address and what has been said in the budget, there is nothing that will impede us. Remember that in the State-of- the-Nation Address, I addressed the issue of

Did I say out of the country? “For further examination.” I did not say “out of the country.” I am saying - listen, sit down. Hon. Amos Kankunda was very sick and was admitted to Nakasero Hospital. I sent Hon. Musasizi to go and assess the situation. He called me saying the situation was not good. I told him, “Let us refer him.” Where did we refer him? We took him to Mulago National Referral Hospital and after a few days, he was able to walk. When I say “referral”, it does not mean - maybe it means from Bukedea to Tororo.

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, it is very important that we read our Rules of Procedure, the Public Finance Act, and the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. We operate a committee system. All sectoral committees presented their reports here and I am standing because I want Members to appreciate something. When sectoral committees presented reports, we made recommendations of underfunding because we are operating a Budget of Shs 58 trillion. The recommendations added by all sectoral committees ballooned the budget to over Shs 100 trillion. The Government, among the items, which I want the people of Uganda to appreciate, we recommended payment of ex-gratia to all Local Council leaders (LC) and councillors and we said that we will not pass the Budget until some of those items are considered. So, part of the items - the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development picked the recommendations of the sectoral committees, went and sat in Cabinet and came up with corrigenda to consider our request and one of the items was ex-gratia for my LC IIIs and councillors in Tororo County North. How do I stand here, Madam Speaker, to say that the Government of Uganda has done bad to provide money for ex-gratia for LC IIIs? (Applause)

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

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

I put the question that Shs 385,191,754 be provided for under Vote 730: Sheema Municipal Council for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.) Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council

I put the question that the total sum of Shs 118,822,426 be provided for under Vote 731: Tororo Municipal Council for Financial Year 2023/2024. (Question put and agreed to.)

That is why I am saying we need the position of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development on this matter. Because some of us sit on the Committee on Physical Infrastructure, we raised this matter and they made comments on it to us in the committee. So, we need that to be clarified. Finally, as I conclude, we need the Attorney- General’s opinion on this matter. We heard the opinion of the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, but there is no way we are going to give up 260 acres of Luzira Prison for a one-star hotel. There was the issue which was raised by Hon. Asuman Basalirwa. This gentleman here has had many issues regarding land in Tororo on the issue of the phosphate industry here in Kampala and others internationally. Madam Speaker, we cannot afford to lose this. If it was not for Mr Sudhir to save us with Shimoni, it would have been gone because the group that they had given it to - These are the same reasons they gave us in the Seventh Parliament about Shimoni. At the end of it, there was no hotel. They had to look for someone to sell to and that place had been sold at $2 million only. That is how Mr Sudhir came in - If he had not come in, we would not have seen that place. We have seen other places. Madam Speaker, we are not in support of this. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for responding to this issue. You recall that many people had picked it as information that was circulating in the media; therefore, we need to appreciate the statement. We have a challenge of land that the Government has kept giving out and many times we have not seen the expected development. For example, even in Tororo, we have the Dongsong project that was given quite a big chunk of land, but we are still waiting for the five industries. World over, we must appreciate that correctional facilities are not in the centre (Interjections)- it is my opinion, allow me to raise my concern.

Madam Chairperson, I think you have guided because Hon. Sarah Opendi, my MP who represents the women and men from Tororo is a senior member of this House. She is smuggling a phrase which should have been brought when we were debating. I think she lost that opportunity, but -

Madam Speaker, I rise on a procedural matter, and I am constrained because Hon. Otaala Emmanuel is my brother from Tororo. The procedural matter I am raising is on the basis that you guided the Chair of the committee to summarise because we have this report and read it. So, is it procedurally right for the chairperson to go against your guidance and begin reading the report, point by point and full stop yet we are waiting for the summarised version before we discuss it?

Thank you very much. When you start talking about your parties, we want services. I used to be in FDC. I started building my hospital when I was in FDC and I have finished when I am in the NRM. Therefore, it is not about a party but let us work as Government and make sure that everybody gets health facilities in every district and region. What you said about Bukedi, it needs a regional referral hospital - (Applause) - The only unfortunate part with Bukedi is that it is very near Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and Tororo. Leaving that alone, they need a hospital.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My brother, Hon. Okiror, thank you for that clarification. Madam Speaker, he did not pick my point. The point is that all of us should be involved in ending the challenge of teenage pregnancy in this country. Secondly, we have a challenge. We are talking about regional referral hospitals. Mbale Regional Referral Hospital has the largest catchment area – serving Bukedi, Kapchorwa and even parts of Busoga. Madam Speaker, I wish that Mbale Hospital, with some facilities near completion, could be supported so that they are completed. You go to a hospital and find five or six babies on a single bed. Madam Speaker, Tororo General Hospital is now a training centre. It is not properly accredited, but somehow, Busitema University medical students are using this facility. Therefore, I wish the Ministry of Health, aware of the challenge of the catchment area for Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, could upgrade Tororo General Hospital and have consultants there, just like it was done for Mityana Hospital. The senior consultants can train the doctors in that area and also provide the services.

12616 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS We have Rubongi Military Hospital, which is also supplementing the efforts of Tororo General Hospital. However, they lack space. That could also help us. These medical workers in Rubongi Military Hospital are also doing a good job. Lastly, I want to thank the Ministry of Health for the ambulances provided for the 100 constituencies. However, Madam Speaker, there is a challenge of fuelling these facilities.

You opened the boundaries of Tororo but up to date you have not taken any action.

I know that you have a report; you went up to the United Kingdom (UK) but up to date, nothing has taken place in Tororo - (Applause) – yet the fights there have continued because of that kind of thing. Can you make a decision, honourable minister?

Madam Speaker, on the issues of Tororo, boundaries were opened and the reports were shared by all the stakeholders, but they did not agree yet that is the final report that we have. The data from here corresponded with data from the UK. I think even the President communicated with the stakeholders. So, we are still -

Hon. Judith, we need to get time and discuss issues of Tororo because the report and everything is there. Our Iteso are suffering in that place. (Laughter) Yes, Hon. Fred. THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WORKS AND TRANSPORT (TRANSPORT) (Mr Fred Byamukama: Thank you, Madam Speaker –

Thank you very much for this opportunity. Madam Speaker, this financial year, UNRA committed itself to conclude the feasibility study and detailed engineering designs for the upgrade of Tororo-Nagongera- Busolwe Road - 44 kilometres only. This is a road that connects Bukedi Subregion to Kenya –

12484 SECTORAL C O MMITTEE R E P O R TS Vote 125 (a) Inadequate funds for capital development for NAGRC&DB. The committee notes that NAGRC is sometimes even diverted from its original mandate to handle the issues at one time they were told to go for food security, recently they were diverted to handle the issues of Balaalo . The committee recommends that: (i) The government provides steady capital development of Shs 100 billion for the next five years to enable the agency to carry out its initial capital investment for a take-off. (ii) The committee also recommends that the Government ensures agencies stick to their core mandates to avoid executing tasks outside their mandate. (b) Breeding activities countrywide The committee recommends that: (i) The project for revamping Iriri Ranch in Napak District in a phased manner in three years, and is replicated in all unprivileged regions in the country. (ii) Shs 30 billion in the Financial Year 2024/2025 be provided to kick-start revamping Iriri Ranch in Napak District. (iii) Shs 15.8 billion be provided for transforming Ruhengyere and Sanga Ranches into dairy farms. One of the ranches should be reserved for the local breeds. (iv) Shs 25 billion for Got Apwoyo Ranch. (v) Shs 2 billion for the construction and completion of hatcheries in Bukedi, Tororo, Karamoja, and Abim Districts (vi) Shs 54 billion be provided to establish animal feed processing plants in Aswa, Maruzi and Nshara Ranches. (c) Community breeding services to support PDM. This is required.

12504 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORTS That is contrary to the commitment to funding and supporting the Government of Uganda that for all resources, we shall use national institutions to avoid duplication and waste of resources. The honourable chairperson of the committee has highlighted that. I have not heard from another person. How can a colleague question that? The honourable member has presented a very serious matter. The issue of not sending money to the Consolidated Fund has been highlighted. Therefore, Mr Speaker, my prayer and request is that as we adopt this position, the Office of the Speaker, the ministers for finance, and all of us, should ensure that any accounting officer who has been implicated is not approved. Finally, Tororo District is one of the districts that have a World War Memorial Cemetery. Mr Speaker, when we go to America, we are taken to memorial cemeteries. I request the minister for tourism and trade to ensure that the World War Memorial Cemetery of Tororo is developed, alongside the first cable car in the entire East and Southern Africa, located on the Tororo rock. I beg to support the report. Thank you.

I wanted to give this House very accurate additional information. Tororo District does not only have the first and the only known World War Cemetery, but it was also the only recruitment centre in the whole of East Africa. That is why most people who died were brought there. Some of you, your great- grandparents are peacefully resting in Tororo. (Laughter) Therefore, we should highlight this through funding. What Hon. Ekanya said – Tororo Rock is the highest sedimentary rock in the whole of East and Central Africa, but it takes tourists one and a half hours to climb the rock using the cable car. These are the only things. So, I support any move to increase – Other people do not even have what they can sell to the world. For us, we have a lot. This is more than even oil; I can tell you.

Yes, you will handle it. Finally, on a selfish note, Hon. Oboth raised an issue of tourism for Tororo and he painted a picture that some of the sites in Tororo were the best in East Africa. There is a saying related to the truth of the Bible that wise men come from the East and settle in the West. (Laughter) I want to reinforce the point that the tourism potential in Kigezi, as Hon. Ndyomugyenyi said, Lake Bunyonyi is the second deepest lake in Africa. When you look at the three mountains of Muhavura, one at the border of Rwanda, DRC, and another at the border of Uganda. The blacksmiths there are the best in the whole of Africa. So, Hon. Oboth, I support you and the Members who have raised these potentials of tourism as one of the key sectors in the economy that can increase our resources in addition to trade and industry.

Strategic Objective 2: Develop, conseree and diversify tourism products (l) Commenced construction works at the Ekyomugabe site of the Kitagata Hot Springs in Sheema District with fencing and levelling of parking grounds. Construction of the visitor information centre and craft shops is on-going. (2) Kagulu Hill in Buyende District enhanced with climbing steps and safet5l railings to enhance the visitor experience. (3) Construction of a modern pier at the Source of the Nile in Jinja City is ongoing. (4) Osukuru and Tororo Rock Site: Designs and layout concepts developed and finalised. (5) Concluded nationwide religious tourism audit for religious tourism product development and promotion. (6) Invasive species management continued in PAs with 1,255ha (against an annual target of 1295 ha) of invasive species cleared. (7) A total of 259.5km (against annual target of 3O5kms) of PA boundary maintained { -__ffI, I (nvv |fr" ( + ffi, F

Bzsiness Deuelopment and. Qualitg Assurance (1) National business development services guideline developed for 200 men, women, and youth & mainstreamed in the BFP in Central, Northern, West Nile & Eastern Regions. (2) 220 MSMEs of men, youth and women entrepreneurs trained on making Business Plans, Financial Literacy, Resource Mobilization, and Record Keeping. Kiruhura, Rwampara, Kabale,Rubanda, Mitooma, pallisa, Serere, Oyam, Kalaki and Otuke. (3) 60 youths, women, and entrepreneurs prepared to attend trade exhibition in South Sudan Capital, Juba. (41 160 MSMEs of men, women, youths PWDs mobitized and sensitized on the importance of product certification, aud.its, food fortification, and GHp for enterprises in Kotido, Napak DLG, Abim, Amudat, Zombo, Arua, Madi-Oko1o Serere & Kole. (5) T\ryo (21 Business tinkages established between MSMEs and large-scale enterprises for men, women and PWDs. in Soroti City, Amuria, Katakwi, Kumi, Busia, Tororo and Butaleja for men, women and pwDs. (6) 850 MSMEs profiled per region of the country and MSMEs database populated for 212 youths 212 women, 25Omen and 176 pWDs. in Central, Northern and Western Regions. Process ing and. Marketing (1) A detailed study and assessment on various stages of the textile value chain in Uganda from yarn production to manufacturing conducted. ( t u , T +n {> ,.:'._J!!}.$F (\-.

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

Hon. Oboth is now the Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs; he is a big man. In terms of these local revenues coming from Tororo to Kampala, he also agrees. You do not bring money from Tororo, bring it to the Treasury, look at it, and take it back.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I wish to appreciate the Parish Development Model (PDM). At my age, I had never heard of a trillion going to the villages. It is a very big achievement and what we should do is to nurse this baby. A partnership with the Ministry of Local Government so that the money can reach every person. When he talks of the size of the parishes, I agree, some are bigger than others. That is why; I would think that, much as he wants money to administrate the cities, it is also good to know about our districts. There are bigger districts like Tororo, Kasese, Ntungamo, and Isingiro. If the minister could have his technical people go and see those districts, rather than people coming here on the floor - I am forming this district- And are not very informed. Two, about public service - unfortunately, the committee has said that Shs 76 billion is required for the Rationalisation of Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX). When we met the Minister of Works, he said he wanted Shs 174 billion for only, the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA). So, this thing you are taking in Hon. Muruli-Mukasa -

Mr Speaker, I am not going to inquire about the status of the feasibility study for the upgrade of Tororo-Nagongera-Busolwe Road, and I am not also going to inquire about the need to upgrade Tororo Municipality to a city, because I will meet Rt Hon. Prime Minister next week in her office. However, Mr Speaker, allow me to pose a question on electricity because I see the honourable minister around. West Budama North constituency is almost 90 per cent in total darkness; there is no electricity there.

Mr Speaker, the Government does not have the capacity to subsidise on fertilizers. However, last year, the President directed me, together with my colleagues here, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, the Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Local Government to revitalise the fertiliser factory that had closed in Tororo. I would like to give an update as follows: So far, the fertiliser factory, Dongsong is now functional. Before it closed, it was employing more than 1,000 people. It used to supply fertilisers, but it was still struggling economically. Honourable members, let me talk about the tea prices and the tea fertilisers. Government, working with that factory, is going to use the agriculture credit fund that is in Bank of Uganda, so that this factory accesses that money to produce these fertilisers at a subsidised price, and the formulation of these ingredients. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, together with the technical people in that ministry, and the Osukuru Phosphate Factory, are going to help us, so that they produce fertilisers for Uganda at a subsidised price. However, farmers will be buying their own fertilisers. It is not going to be the Government to buy fertilisers for farmers, nor will the Government get money to subsidise farmers.

Findings, observations and recommendations 1. The committee observed that there were no any heavy armed security personnel on the land under contention as was alleged by petitioners apart from personal security belonging to Ms Owori Sylvia Damalie at the time when the committee held a meeting with the community. The committee was informed during the meeting with the community that the heavy armed security personnel that had been deployed earlier by Ms Owori Sylvia Damalie to guard the land under contention had been removed. The committee recommends that the Government streamlines and sets clear guidelines on the deployment of its security personnel to private individuals/companies. Further, the Government should ensure that security personnel comply with the law at all times, including when security personnel are deployed for private duties. 2. The committee was informed by Ms Owori Sylvia Damalie that the land under contention (Nyakesi ‘E’ Zone, Iyokango Parish, Nyangole Subcounty) is currently before the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Tororo vide Otedo Emmanuel (Administrator of the estate of the late Alfred Wandera Okech v. Sylvia Owori Damalie, Land Suit No.12 of 2022 , hence subjudice. However, the committee observed that the matter before the Chief Magistrate’s Court holden in Tororo actually refers to customary land situated in Nyakesi “E” Zone, Rubongi Subcounty in Tororo District. (Appendix 4) On 12 August 2022, the committee sought the advice of the Rt Hon. Speaker of Parliament on the matter, in accordance with Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. The committee was advised that since Mr Emmanuel Otedo is just one of the many petitioners, his interests in court cannot jeopardise the interests and rights of the other petitioners who currently seek Parliament’s intervention. The committee was consequently advised to proceed with investigations of the allegations contained in the petition, save for concerns of Mr Emmanuel Otedo. The committee, therefore, learnt that the matter is not sub judice. 3. During the committee’s visit to the land under contention, it was shown part of the land that is subject to court proceedings and hence did not venture into any investigations in that part of the land. The committee was informed that Ms Sylvia Damalie Owori had prior requested for a piece of land in which to construct her ancestral home, to which the clan leadership agreed, but later, turned around and insisted on taking up more land, claiming that it belonged to her late father. This is the land that the petitioners allege that she is grabbing, in order to set up projects under Operation Wealth Creation, which she represents. The committee recommends that Ms Sylvia Damalie Owori restricts herself to the portion of land that she was given by the Kayoro Katekoko clan leaders in 2018 and makes use of the available lawful avenues prescribed under

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. The issue of compensation is very serious. Whereas we have groups that went to court, in certain instances, our elders were guided not to go to court. They were told to be patient, compile their lists and that the compensation would be handled. A case in point is that in Tororo, we had the challenges of FOBA (Force Obote Back Again), Lakwena and many others. People lost. So, the efforts to galvanise and put teams to generate petitions that would end up in court were put down in a bid to try and fast-track the solving of this problem. I have submitted, with the community, lists time and again to the Attorney-General, but we are not hearing of any mention of how soon we shall be considered. This must be fast-tracked. I thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We have received the budget for the next financial year. However, sometimes, in this House, we discuss various reports from the accountability committees. While visiting some of the districts like Terego, Abim and while interacting with our local government leaders in Tororo, what was brought to our attention is the challenge that the local governments are having: the issue of returning money –

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It hurts for this House to appropriate funds and they are not utilised by local governments because of certain contradictions or challenges within Government systems. Local governments have resources to recruit staff, but they cannot. The Minister of Public Service was here, but unfortunately, he has walked out. As Uganda Women’s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA), we visited Abim and Terego. While interacting with my district leaders in Tororo, this matter was raised. They have the money and some of them have even gone through the process, but the money is going to be returned. Madam Speaker, we need to support local governments because this is where service delivery is yet without staff they cannot do that. [Mr Opolot-Isiagi] LAYING OF PAPERS

Mr Speaker, on 19 May 2022, I brought a petition here on behalf of my people, from Tororo regarding land grabbing, by one Sylvia Owori. The committee completed its work in March 2023, the item was even put on the Order Paper and then removed. To date, the report of the committee has never been presented and yet we all know that petitions have the first call on the Order Paper. Is it procedurally right for us to have a very urgent matter just put aside and yet the people are still living in fear and are being harassed? Some of them have been dragged to court and they keep calling me. When they see this petition being resolved today, they are going to call me, my phone is off but when I put it on, I know, I will get the calls. Mr Speaker, I plead that the report of the committee be presented so that justice can be given to my people. Thank you.

Sure, thank you. Yes, honourable member for Tororo.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. The question that I would like to raise to the Rt Hon. Prime Minister is with respect to the construction of Pongolojo Bridge that was a presidential pledge, which has delayed for well over 15 years. When our people try to cross the downstream of River Malaba, they are often mauled by crocodiles. Every year, we lose about two people. The President, while campaigning in Busia during the bi-election there, assured us that this bridge would be constructed and he directed the Ministry of Works and Transport to find about Shs 3 billion but it has taken over 15 years. Right now, my people are scared because the crocodiles have become very many and it is hampering trade between Tororo and Bugiri. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, when is this presidential pledge going to be actualised? Secondly, Mr Speaker -

Mr Speaker, thank you and I want to say this very slowly. In Uganda today, all old municipalities, save for Tororo, have been upgraded to cities. Cities are associated with industrialisation, which brings in jobs, that enhance income, enhanced trade, with urbanisation, and also cities tend to enhance fiscal transfers from the centre. Tororo municipality is situated in the Bukedi subregion, which contributes 10.4 per cent of the poor in this country. According to the NDP, we should have by now formulated a regional development programme for the Bukedi subregion. Like for the case of Busoga, Karamoja, Bunyoro and West Nile. Unfortunately, the affirmative action envisaged in the NDP III has not come to pass. It is my prayer, therefore, that the Rt Hon. Prime Minister updates us on the position of the Executive on upgrading Tororo Municipality to a city status.

Mr Speaker, sometimes, we have to behave as patriots and nationalists. It is under that, that I felt I needed to inform this House, as an NRM cadre and nationalist. For the cities, especially the issue of Tororo, you are aware that the law that creates administrative units is very clear. We can only talk about this in 2025. Therefore, I request the Member to position himself during that time. (Applause)

Thank you, Mr Speaker, and the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. I think we have a huge budget demand. Some people are not paying taxes. Last year, we passed a Bill here to allow digitalizing the E-receipt system. Our rules allow the Commissioner General to be invited and sit in a bar and address Parliament to explain. The requirement is that all restaurants, hardware and shops are supposed to issue you a digital receipt. However, honourable colleagues, you go and eat in Sheraton or other hotels and they give you bills; they do not pay tax, they evade VAT while my people at the border are being harassed every day. Mr Speaker, it is high time, these people were fined. Today I called the Commissioner-General and told him that people must be fined daily. Mr Speaker, I request that you invoke your powers under the rules and allow the Commissioner-General to come through the bar and address Parliament so that we discuss this matter. I cannot allow the people of Tororo to be arrested every day. We only bring sugar or cooking oil and then my people are arrested, while in Kampala, people are not paying taxes. (Laughter) The proposal of digital receipt can help us to raise Shs 5 trillion if it is enforced. This would help us to support our budget. In addition, our people at the border would be allowed to do cross-border trade. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. Mr Speaker, we recall that on 14 January 2021, the people of West Budama North, whom I represent in this Parliament and the Bukedi Subregion at large overwhelmingly voted the NRM Party into government largely on account of the upgrade of Tororo – Nagongera– Busolwe Road to join Namutumba, Butaleja and Nabumali. On 4 December 2021, the late, your predecessor, Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, at the memorial service of Dr Tanga Odoi’s mother in Tororo, committed to ensure that the road be upgraded. On 17 July, 2022, when we were interring the remains of the mother of Hon. Fox Odoi in Tororo, you committed to follow up on the upgrade of that road. I am glad that last year, about three months ago, our Rt Hon. Prime Minister woke up Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) to ensure that the feasibility study and detailed engineering design of Tororo -Nagongera -Busole Road be done. May I take this opportunity, to ask the Prime Minister to give us the status of that feasibility study so that our people get comforted?

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My concern is about the unstable and interrupted power supply to our general hospital; Iganga Hospital. It is good that you know the hospital I am talking about because it sits along Iganga- Tororo Highway; it is a highway hospital. This hospital delivers around 600 to 650 babies per month –(Interjection) - that is it, even, the honourable Minister for Health can attest to that. The hospital I am talking about has been ranked the best general hospital for over five years. Mr Speaker - yes, we have a standby generator which is now acting as the major supplier of electricity instead of Umeme. It has a care unit for preterm babies, commonly known as the premature. These babies are always in oxygen concentrators - I think they call them incubators and need full-time oxygen because they are kept there for some time before they are discharged. We always get around 60 to 120 –

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In 2018, the Minister of Health who is seated here with us issued alerts warning Ugandans on the dangers associated with using facilities that have asbestos roofing, mainly those that had run out of shape. Last year in August, Hon. Otaala from Tororo raised the same concern because Bukedi and Busoga have quite a number of schools that are still roofed with asbestos and are out of shape. The honourable minister pledged to work with the Ministry of Education and Sports, to come up with a list of these schools and they get supported. To date, nothing has taken place and these schools are still using the same facilities with asbestos roofs. The parents are scared because one of the issues that the Minister of Health raised was the cancer of the eye. As we talk now, in one of the schools in Namutumba District, two pupils were diagnosed with cancer of the eyes. We do not want to rule it out because we are not experts on this; whether the cause was the roofing, but we would like this to be sorted out as per the promise of the Rt Hon. Prime Minister. Thank you.

Two weeks ago, a truck that had four people and three boda boda cyclists fell off the bridge of Nambale, that is on Mbale-Tororo Highway. Those people did not die, but they sustained injuries simply because that bridge has no rails. The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) has worked on it, but left the bridge bare. They put some stones to guard people, who pass on that road, but recently, because of the rains, those stones fell off, and that is why those people fell in. This is a very busy road. We know it serves many trucks that go to Sudan, so many road users on that road, including women and children. And it is posing a very high threat to the people of the district. I request our Prime Minister and the Minister to update us on when the guard rails will be put on that road to save the people of Mbale District.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. We are within the East African Community and as the East African community (EAC), we pride ourselves in the free movement of goods, services and labour. We are aware that in the early years, we used to have a lot of smuggling before the EAC arrangement came on board. After the EAC arrangement, we expect people to be able to move freely within the borders, but of course, within the law. There has been increased high-handedness, increased harassment of our people in Tororo Districts by the Uganda Revenue Authority, resulting into death of some of the people. We just buried a young man early this year, as a result of URA chasing him. The late was called Simon Peter, a 44-year old man who had five young children. The late was carrying a carton of baking flour from Kenya. Just a carton and yet we say that goods that are supposed to be taxed –(Interjection)- yes, people who move - cross border – there is a threshold, I think it is Shs 1 million. For as long as the items are below that amount of money, somebody is allowed to freely move but URA has been so rough on the people and when I asked why people cannot stop -(Interruption)

I bring condolences from the people of West Budama Central and, indeed, Tororo District on the passing on of a gallant Ugandan. I want to agree with others who have described her, especially using the two words that she stood for. She stood in this Parliament for God. She protected, defended and promoted anything that would uplift, promote good faith in this House and also for this country. I saw her for the first time in 1996 in Tororo when I was in high school. I think I had never seen anybody as powerful as Hon. Cecilia Ogwal. She had the late Dr Paul Kawanga Semwogerere as the President, of the Inter Political Forces Cooperation ( IPFC) . We had people like Akisoferi Ogola and they roared in Tororo. I can tell you that day, President Museveni was the second candidate in the whole of Tororo District. They won massively. When I went to study on scholarship - and the son is here. Nick came and met me at the airport

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I bring condolences to you, the family and this Parliament from the people of Tororo and specifically His Grace, the Archbishop, Obbo because Hon. Cecilia, having come from Kamuli on 18 September drove straight to Tororo. She was a lady who stuck to her word. If she told you, I would be here, she would be there. I would like to request colleagues to emulate her on that. Some of us say we shall come and we do not show up. Madam Speaker, Rt Hon. Cecilia, let me call her Right Honourable –

11365 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2023 15. Hon. Felix Okot-Ogong - Dokolo South County; 16. Hon. Ronald Afidra - Lower Madi County; 17. Hon. Rukaari Mwesigwa - Mbarara North Division; 18. Hon. Cissy Namujju - Lwengo; 19. Hon. David Muhumuza - Mwenge County North; 20. Hon. Amos Okot - Agago North County; 21. Hon. Hope Nakazibwe - Mubende; 22. Hon. Basil Bataringaya - Kashari North County; 23. Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo - Lwemiyaga County; 24. Hon. Muhamad Nsegumire - Mityana County North; 25. Hon. Sarah Opendi - Tororo; 26. Hon. Herbert Kinobere - Kibuku County; 27. Hon. Richard Wanda - Bungokho Central County; and 28. Hon. Philiphs Lokwang-Ilukol - Napore West County. Madam Speaker, I beg to designate.

Madam Speaker, it is not the first time that Hon. Angura and I have interacted on that matter. I can assure him that we are in the process of creating lanes from Malaba to Tororo and also address the bypass, which would throw the traffic ahead of Tororo town.

11149 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 2023 country. We have reports for two sub-regions now. We will adopt this, which will form a basis. After adopting this report, I expect the minister with his team to go on the ground and see whether what the committee is reporting is really correct and then take action. We need action, not lamentations. Honourable members, in the public gallery this afternoon, we have the staff members of Nyakibale Upper Primary School in Rukungiri District. They are represented in Parliament by Hon. Dr Rutahigwa Elisa. He is the tallest man in the House and very active and Hon. Natukunda Midius. She is a nice girl there. She is one of our little girls, but very active. (Applause) The people of Rukungiri, bring back our people. We are comfortable with them. (Applause) I thank you very much, honourable members –you do not have the locus to discuss this. Let them bring a report from Tororo and – Honourable members, I now put the question that the report of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries on a field visit to Karamoja and Teso Sub-region to assess the water for agricultural production facilities be adopted by this House with amendments. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

Hon. Maximus Ochai, West Budama County North – he gave a long preamble which I want to read. That in the 2022/2023 Financial Year, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development issued to Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), a warrant of expenditure under Wage Recurrent Expenditure Item No. 225203, in feasibility studies and detailed engineering design of Shs 16,046,480,098. These funds were to finance, inter alia, an in-house feasibility study and a detailed engineering design for the upgrade of Tororo-Nagongera-Busolwe Road, which is approximately 44 kilometres, prioritised in the National Development Plan III and the 2021- 2026 NRM Party Manifesto. According to Hon. Ochai, by 30 June 2023, UNRA had spent Shs 15,155,089,380 only. This resulted in the miscarriage of the in-house feasibility study and detailed engineering design for the upgrade of Tororo-Nagongera- Busolwe Road. His prayer is that; what steps has UNRA taken to request the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for the supplementary allocation of part of the Shs 891,390,718, that they did not spend in the Financial Year 2022/2023, to conclude the in-house feasibility study and detailed engineering design for the upgrade of Tororo-Nagongera-Busolwe Road? His other concern is: What measures has the Ministry of Works and Transport put in place to address the non-responsiveness of UNRA to the upgrade of the Tororo-Nagongera-Busolwe Road? Madam Speaker, my answer is quite long but the actual answer is on page 4. I would like to assure the House that Tororo-Nagongera- Busolwe Road is part of our programmed study to be undertaken this Financial Year 2023/2024, and that Government is committed to utilising the available resources to invest in the development –

Madam Speaker, I just wanted to inform Members that the Government is committed to utilising the available resources to invest in the development of the necessary stock of infrastructure to support the socio-economic transformation of Uganda. Therefore, that road will be worked on this financial year. The feasibility study Hon. Apollo Yeri, Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality: “Uganda Cooperative College, Tororo, is the only college which gives certificates and diplomas in Uganda in cooperatives. Formerly, it was Kigumba Cooperative College, but they have uplifted it, and it is now awarding degrees.” “Government sent Shs 600 million to Tororo Municipality early June, this year, for development works, and they could not utilise the money in such a short period when the financial year was closing. That money was returned to the Consolidated Fund.” His prayer is; will the money be remitted back to Tororo Municipality for the mentioned development purpose? Madam Speaker, the first paragraph says that all these funds have been re-voted through a supplementary budget, and have been released as part of second quarter releases this financial year. The money is already with the municipal council. Madam Speaker, I would like to save time. I am looking for where there are answers to give Members so that we can save time. Hon. Emmanuel Otaala, Member of Parliament, West Budama County South, received complaints from young mothers in PRIME MINISTER’S TIME

11047 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 2023 14) There are districts that were performing exceptionally well, for example, Kisoro, Tororo, Rukungiri, Ibanda, Kumi, Apac, Kakumiro, Bukedea, and others, with performance standing at above 90 per cent.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I also wish to thank our chairperson for the good job in the report. I want to pick from the objectives of the PDM; one of them is inclusivity. The guideline clearly provides for a 30 per cent segment for the youth. If I make a quick reference to one of the best-performing districts like Tororo, it is not even 20 per cent; it is not even 15 per cent that the youth from these places have benefited. I remember when the President was launching PDM in Kibuku, he used words like “ aimar , chura , calculations, mathematics and kwan .” The youth are asking, “Where is the mathematics?” Can we have 30 per cent segmented for the youth within the parishes and then we manage it at that level? I believe the youth are there and they can manage this. Thank you.

Okay, thank you. However, just to state it briefly; it was a lie that the priest was beaten. It was just politics. You know the politics in my place. That said, Madam Speaker, allow me, first of all, on behalf of the people of West Budama North Constituency and also on my behalf, to congratulate you upon becoming Toto Odwe. (Applause) Madam Speaker, in your communication, like others have observed, you addressed the issue of KCCA roads, but what is good for the goose is also good for the gander. Where I come from, in West Budama North constituency, there is a particular road; Tororo-Nagongera- Busolwe, which is in a bad state. Last week, the councillors of the district demonstrated. Unfortunately, they were arrested and it took me up to Friday to go and manually try to patch up some places. Could you help me address this matter to the Ministry of Works and Transport so that they can prevail over UNRA to go and do an emergency repair on this road? I will appreciate it.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Hon. Ochai, for giving way. On behalf of the people of Bunyole West, Butaleja District, and on my own behalf, I congratulate you for becoming a Nabahwana; that is in Lunyole. The information I would like to give my colleague, Hon. Ochai, is that the road he is talking about stretches right from Tororo- Nagongera-Busolwe and it goes up to Busaba in my constituency. UNRA was doing something on that road in terms of low-cost seal. There was an advert run and they started working on six kilometres of that road right from Senda, where Butaleja District starts from, to Mulagi. The advert was that they would continue and stretch from

10801 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2023 the prescribed time to ensure the timely preparation of the treasury memoranda and timely implementation of recommendations of Parliament; NOW, THEREFORE, Parliament, in accordance with Article 163(5) of the Constitution and Section 19(4) of the National Audit Act, 2008, resolves to adopt the recommendations of the Auditor-General in respect to the following local government entities: Entities under the Public Accounts Committee (Local Government) 1. Mbale District Local Government; 2. Mbale City; 3. Namisindwa District Local Government; 4. Manafwa District Local Government; 5. Bulambuli District Local Government; 6. Kibuku District Local Government; 7. Tororo District Local Government; 8. Sironko District Local Government; 9. Budaka District Local Government; 10. Busia District Local Government; 11. Busia Municipal Council; 12. Butaleja District Local Government; 13. Kapchorwa District Local Government; 14. Kapchorwa Municipal Council; 15. Kween District Local Government; 16. Tororo Municipal Council; 17. Bukwo District Local Government; 18. Pallisa District Local Government; 19. Bududa District Local Government; 20. Soroti District Local Government; 21. Soroti City; 22. Amolatar District Local Government; 23. Kaberamaido District Local Government; 24. Kalaki District Local Government; 25. Serere District Local Government; 26. Amuria District Local Government; 27. Dokolo District Local Government; 28. Bukedea District Local Government; 29. Katakwi District Local Government; 30. Kapelebyong District Local Government; 31. Otuke District Local Government; 32. Kumi Municipal Council; 33. Kumi District Local Government; 34. Ngora District Local Government; 35. Nabilatuk District Local Government; 36. Nakapiripirit District Local Government; 37. Karenga District Local Government; 38. Kotido District Local Government; 39. Kotido Municipal Council; 40. Amudat District Local Government; 41. Kaabong District Local Government; 42. Moroto District Local Government; 43. Moroto Municipal Council; 44. Abim District Local Government; 45. Napak District Local Government; 46. Kamuli District Local Government; 47. Kamuli Municipal Council; 48. Iganga District Local Government; 49. Iganga Municipal Council; 50. Jinja District Local Government; 51. Jinja City; 52. Northern Division, Jinja City; 53. Southern Division, Jinja City; 54. Kaliro District Local Government; 55. Buyende District Local Government; 56. Mayuge District Local Government; 57. Bugiri District Local Government; 58. Bugiri Municipal Council; 59. Namayingo District Local Government; 60. Namutumba District Local Government; 61. Njeru Municipal Council; 62. Lugazi Municipal Council; 63. Luuka District Local Government; 64. Bugweri District Local Government; 65. Buikwe District Local Government; 66. Mukono District Local Government; 67. Mukono Municipal Council; 68. Wakiso District Local Government; 69. Nansana Municipal Council; 70. Makindye-Ssabagabo Municipal Council; 71. Kira Municipal Council; 72. Mpigi District Local Government; 73. Nakaseke District Local Government; 74. Luwero District Local Government; 75. Mityana District Local Government; 76. Mityana Municipal Council; 77. Buvuma District Local Government; 78. Entebbe Municipal Council; 79. Butambala District Local Government; 80. Kayunga District Local Government; 81. Nakasongola District Local Government; 82. Masaka District Local Government; 83. Masaka City; 84. Kimaanya-Kabonera City Division; 85. Nyendo-Mukungwe City Division; 86. Kalungu District Local Government; 87. Gomba District Local Government;

{ t t7 Hon. Kambale Ferigo (New ) Kasese Municipality 18 Hon. Ruhunda Alex Fort Portal Central r9 Hon. Sekyanzi Benard Kirya Budyebo County 20 Hon. Wandwasi Robert Bungokho South County b"L I 2I Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Neebi Municipality ,@a} 22 Hon. Maneno Zumura DWR Obongi - 23 Hon. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North County a 24 Hon. Ababiku Jessica DWR Adjuman lY! 25 Hon. Wakabi Pius Bugahya County 26 Hon. Linda lrene DWR Fort Portal \ ) 27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu County 28 Hon. TWalla Fadil Tingey County 29 Hon. Nsibambi Yusuf Mawokota South County t ?2b^t 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County 31 Hon. Okot Santa DWR Aruu North 32 Hon. Auma Kenny Kwania North 33 Hon. Sebamala Richard Bukoto Central 34 Hon. Okupa Elijah Kasilo County 35 Hon. Mpindi Bumali RvDs Rep ffiru 36 Hon. Nsanja Patrick Ntenjeru County South I A 37 Hon. Acora Nancy DWR Lamwo *=d1 38 Hon. Mugema Peter Iganga Municipality rr\Flry\- 2

He was in Tororo recently.

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. Two months or so ago, you requested the Prime Minister to take up the matter of non-responsiveness of Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) on the upgrade of the Tororo-Nagongera-Busolwe road (44 kilometres), for which money for a feasibility study as a trigger was provided for in last year’s budget. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development issued a warrant of expenditure amounting to Shs 16.46 billion for feasibility studies, including for this particular road. Instead, UNRA opted to do other roads and ignored this particular road of Tororo. This road has now become a death trap. It was opened during the colonial time and the traffic has actually built up. Madam Prime Minister, what can you tell the people of Tororo about the feasibility study for which money was provided and money instead was left unspent and yet accidents are continuing unabated? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question may be answered by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. I got complaints from my people in Tororo, but I also received, in my inbox, a complaint from some civil servants in Kaberamaido –

Okay, let us hear from the member for Tororo, Hon. Phyllis Chemutai, Hon. Were, Kwania, Hon. Komakech. If you were not here for the last two days, just take your seat. Hon. Kabanda, the Member for Kyotera, the Member for Jonam and Hon. Balimwezo; he booked space yesterday.

There is a point of order from the Member for Tororo.

10189 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 Road and Bridge Corporation to undertake rehabilitation works for the Tororo-Namanve Railway Line, which passes through my constituency. The said company employed security personnel, including the UPDF, to take care of their construction materials, but on the contrary, the security personnel have instead resorted to arresting whoever crosses or moves near the railway line. They seize animals such as cows and goats, which are grazing on their owner’s land near the railway line. To make matters worse, those who are arrested are taken to Busembatya Police Station, a distance of over 60 kilometres from my constituency. As a result, many of these people have lost their animals and they pay a lot of money whenever they are taken there. People also cross through gazetted roads. We had an incident last week where one person was crossing from Bubalya to Busabi. He was arrested by the security personnel who tortured him. This issue has been happening for a long time. My prayers are that: 1. The Ministry of Security visits the area and assesses it. 2. These arrests are stopped. 3. If possible, the people who paid their money have it refunded. I have a list of many people who have been paying money to the police to either release their animals or get a police bond.

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 -

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I support the position of Hon. Sarah Opendi. As we speak, there are schools operating and they have termed it a holiday program yet in the regulations from the Ministry of Health, it is not allowed. As I speak, Tororo Girls is operating because my daughter is there. So how much time do they give students to rest as they prepare for the third term? It is especially private schools that do not respect the programs of Government and they think that is one way -

Is Tororo Girls, a private school?

Thank you, Madam Speaker. First of all, I begin by thanking colleagues, for raising these pertinent issues. However, it is also important that I inform our colleagues, that our offices are open and we have an office here near Members. It would be prudent that some of this very useful information is given to us for action. Hon. Sarah Opendi, I just want you to tell us the names of the schools like my honourable colleague from Kumi has identified Tororo Girls. Otherwise, as the Ministry of Education and Sports, we might be issuing circulars, giving dates of when schools are going to be open meaning the proprietors of these schools do not follow the instructions in our circulars. It is important - we are going to follow up on Tororo Girls to know why they have reopened COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Ms Opendi]

Madam Speaker, over the weekend I was in Tororo. I took fuel at two different petrol stations at Shs 5,300 a litre. That is at Total and Shell.

Madam Speaker, you are nearly spot on –(Laughter)- as a former athlete myself, and I have in this House the person who denied me the title of the championship, Hon. Julius Acon. We ran with him. That is very true. In Tororo and in the Eastern I hold a record of 100 meters and 200. I am one of the fastest-

9950 RESOLUTION TO BORROW The compensation relates to crops and buildings of non-permanent structure determined under Section 59(1)(f) of the Land Act by the district land board of the respective local governments from Kampala to Tororo that are updated on an annual basis. The two RAPs indicate that the total estimated cost of compensation of the project-affected person and the cost of the implementation of the RAPs for the entire project is Shs 143.58 billion, with Namanve to Malaba Section accounting for 24 per cent of the compensation cost, while Kampala and Wakiso accounting for 76 per cent. The committee noted that out of the required Shs 143.58 billion for compensation of PAPs, the grant from the African Development Bank is only providing for Euros 15.9 million, (Shs 63.65 billion using an exchange rate of 1 dollar to Shs 4000). The Government has not committed to avail the additional Shs 79.9 billion that is required to complete the compensation of the PAPs during the project life and instead had indicated that funding is required for the Financial Year 2023/2024, living the outer years without commitment. The approved budget for 2023/2024 for the land acquisition under the project is Shs 3.915 billion and external funding of Shs 8.563 billion. The committee was concerned that the Government lost the grant funding for the EU of Euros 26 million for the rehabilitation of the Tororo Metre Gauge Railway because it did not provide the required counterpart funding of Euros 13 million. And now, the Government has to fully fund the rehabilitation of the Tororo-Gulu Metre Gauge Railway. Moreover, during the budgeting process, counterpart funding always appears as a funding gap, implying it was among the priorities of the sector. Consequently, the Government is now going to spend double because the counterpart funding was not availed. The committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development commits to provide Shs 79.9 billion needed to fully compensate the Project-Affected Persons over the project life to enable disbursement of the loan proceeds as per the funding agreement and avoid a repeat of what happened to the grant under the rehabilitation of the Tororo- Gulu Metre Gauge Railway line. The Government should free all the railway land from encroachers to guarantee the timely implementation of this project. This will ultimately minimise the Government’s expenditure on compensating people who encroached the railway line. The policy, legal and institutional framework: The committee noted that the policy, legal and institutional framework of the railway sub- sector is not conducive to the growth of the sub-sector. There is need for a comprehensive policy, legal and institutional framework of the railway sub-sector with a view to making the policy, legal and institutional framework responsive to the current prevailing and dynamic needs of Uganda, characterised by the rapid economic, social and cultural development. For example, the Uganda Railways Corporation’s current organisation structure is a major constraint as a department structure is not appropriate for a modern railway as a business focus is needed. In addition, Uganda Railways Corporation Act, 1992 did not foresee the management and regulatory policy for the inclusion of other players in the railway transport. The Act is silent on the mandate, function and management of the new actor in the railway business. At present, there exist new stakeholders within the railway transport service delivery like the Standard Gauge Railway Company, which was not envisaged at the time the Act was enacted in 1992. The committee recommends as follows: Government fast-tracks the long-awaited reforms of the Uganda Railways Corporation Act, Cap 331 in order to establish and investigate

9951 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 23 AUGUST 2023 the legal issues, gaps and challenges that continue to stifle operations under the Uganda Railways Corporation Act, as well as the issues curtailing the implementation of the Act over the 31-year period since its enactment. Adopt guidelines for the railway sub-sector to cover safety, security, infrastructure financing, qualified staff and quality services. The development of the railway infrastructure: The committee observed that a well-developed railway network contributes to the socio- economic development of a country as it enables connectivity, boosts trade and provides access to workplaces, healthcare services and leisure activities, among others. The development of a dependable railway transport infrastructure facilitates the mobility and accessibility of a country’s factors of production and at the same time reduces environmental degradation. This ultimately would boost and enhance trade, tourism and improve the general standards of living. The committee notes that over the past decades, the Government accorded high priority to road transport over rail transport infrastructure development. Cargoes that would ordinarily be transported on rail lines are now routed on the road network. In essence, this has contributed to high costs of doing business as well as increasing the road maintenance needs and costs. The committee was informed that limited investment in the railway network is attributed to high initial investment costs needed to set up a railway investment and management system. The East African Community undertook to invest and set up the Standard Gauge Railway, which is expected to improve regional connectivity. Whereas, the Standard Gauge Railway is a good investment, member states will still need the Metre Gauge Railway to complement the Standard Gauge Railway for purposes of last mile connectivity. In light of this, the committee noted the need to rehabilitate the existing Metre Gauge Railway lines across the country in places where the Standard Gauge Railway has not been planned to be routed. The committee was informed that it is the wish of the Uganda Railways Corporation to carry out serious development of the railway network so as to reduce the traffic burden on the existing highway roads that are narrow. This, however, requires more funding to be able to refurbish the remaining railway lines of Kampala, Kasese, Tororo-Gulu, Pakwach, which is not available at the moment. The committee was further informed that the Government of Uganda contracted a Spanish contractor to manufacture concrete slippers for part of the railway line under rehabilitation. The same company has established a railway training school located at Nalukolongo to train and equip the Ugandan engineers with railway engineering knowledge. This implies that at the end of the contract period, the company will close the business and go back. The committee recommends that: i. Government fast-tracks the implementation of the Standard Gauge Railway to enable Uganda to move in tandem with the East African partner states. ii. At the end of the contract period of Imathia Construction Company, Government invests in concrete slippers production plant, fully equipped and owned by the Government of Uganda, to facilitate production of concrete slippers for rehabilitation and construction of other railway lines across the country. In conclusion, the proposal by the Government to borrow up to UA 125.16 million equivalent to £150 million from the African Development Fund and UA 54.17 million equivalent to £65 million from the African Development Bank for the refurbishment of the Kampala-Malaba

Mr Speaker, much as we are working through different committees of Parliament, we continue to remain one House. I am seeking guidance from you on how best to proceed. Under the activities of the Committee on Government Assurances and Implementation, my deputy led the committee into finding out the status of the assurance to construct the Standard Gauge Railway between Tororo and Gulu. The committee was fully funded by Parliament and it made a report that was submitted to the clerk. As my colleague was reading the report before us, I discovered that there are many areas that were touched by the Government assurance and implementation committee. Mr Speaker, the guidance I am seeking is whether it would not have been procedurally okay for the committee that is making the presentation, while we are seeking a new loan, to reconcile their report with ours. Would it please you, Mr Speaker, if the two reports could come at the same time and they are discussed together so that one could enrich the other, as Parliament takes a decision on this matter? I beg to be guided, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I am not going to talk about the morning glory. Mine is basically on the sustainability of this project’s intervention. Mr Speaker, on the second motion pertaining to the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area Urban Development Program, I want to observe that the committee did a thorough loan appraisal to the extent that they found the financial viability of the loan to be highly concessional and to the extent that they found, from the cost-benefit analysis, that the program is likely to be highly beneficial. I fully support the recommendations that they issued, particularly the recommendation to the effect that we need a new city. To me, this is long overdue. Within the East African Community, we have a case of Tanzania where the old capital city was relocated to another place. Why not us? I believe we can do the same. I come from Tororo, particularly where the metre gauge railway passes. That is the West Budama North Constituency. I welcome the idea of refurbishing the metre gauge railway to the extent that it will open up opportunities for trade in the area given that, that place is income- poor. Our people will have the opportunity to produce their products and then sell them to other areas using the railway line. I therefore support the motion that we have the loans approved and ensure that the interventions are highly sustainable through a robust – (Member timed out.)

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise to make a follow-up on a matter that was referred to the Ministry of Works and Transport pertaining to the delayed feasibility study for the upgrade of the 44km Tororo-Nagongera- Busolwe Road. At the beginning of this financial year, the Rt Hon. Speaker requested the Minister of Works and Transport to follow up with UNRA over the non-responsiveness pertaining to the conclusion of that study. May I use this opportunity, therefore, since the Prime Minister is around, to request that she updates us on the status of that feasibility study? The people of West Budama County and Bukedi, generally, are craving for that road. It is a strategic economic road for Bukedi subregion. Being a very poor subregion, that road would actually facilitate trade and ensure an increase in household income in Bukedi.

Our brother, the whip, has brought some life into FDC. The honourable member talked about Nagongera-Tororo Road. I request that I get in touch with the ministry so that we can give him a conclusive answer. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for directing the chairperson to analyse the guidelines and thank you, Minister of Works. I would like to seek the indulgence of this House to make special consideration for Tororo District because it is Shs 1 billion for every district in Uganda but as we speak, Tororo District is equivalent to four districts in one. Therefore, the Shs 1 billion for my constituency, Tororo County North and Tororo County South - Because of the political fights we have in the district, our roads are in very terrible state and we need this House to direct the Ministry of Works to make special consideration for Tororo to get Shs 2 billion. (Interruption)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In reference to what Hon. Ekanya said - and we always raise this in good faith - you are aware that we have been having a contestation for a very long time in Tororo. I am happy that Hon. Ekanya, who almost killed himself here in the 9 th Parliament, has come back and he has come back when the President has made the pronouncement that the London report has been released. The district is so large; we are the only district here with eight Members of Parliament and 48 administrative units. Therefore, whereas we appreciate the Shs 1 billion, how I wish that government - COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR [Mr Awany]

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I said that because we found this workplan on the table and they were also insisting that we should follow it. That is why now, the district roads committee will take lead and be able to guide in this. Finally, we need this issue of Tororo concluded; the district should be divided such that we can take services nearer to the people. I thank you very much.

Honourable members, the problem we have is that once the minister provides resources for the Kabale Road, you will again complain and say, “why not Tororo?” The minister looks at the national character. (Applause) He has provided resources for the eastern roads; that one will come in the next financial year. Honourable minister, let us not get into the discussion on roads. We want your commitment on the disbursement of funds. Do not endanger my minister in the name of not providing money.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I am glad I caught your eye. I rise to make a statement on your communication regarding the increasing number of road accidents. At about 8.00 on Saturday, a farmer was transporting trays of eggs to Tororo along Tororo-Nagongera Road. Unfortunately, because of the potholes on the road, he was involved in an accident and lost almost 90 per cent of the eggs. The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development last financial year released money to UNRA to undertake a feasibility study to upgrade 44 kilometres of that road. Unfortunately, the financial year ended without a conclusion of that feasibility study. We have had numerous accidents and as long as it remains that way, accidents will continue to occur. May I request Government to update the people of West Budama County North Constituency and Bukedi Subregion at large, on the status of that feasibility study? Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The issue that is being raised by Hon. Agnes Taaka occurs, even in my districts. However, this is a district issue, which I believe the district can come up with by-laws to deal with. We, in Tororo, have done this and stopped night fundraisings because we saw that it was the avenue through which young girls were getting challenges. So, Madam Speaker, would it not be procedurally right that, while the matter is valid, the honourable member is asked to handle this at the district level?

Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity. In the east- most district of Uganda, that is, Tororo, where I come from and specifically West Budama North Constituency, which I represent in this Parliament, it is said that if you want to find your way, you must know where you are going. On that note, Mr Speaker, I rise to support the motion. In my presentation, I will focus mainly on the necessary conditions that His Excellency, the President identified in his address to ensure that we realise rapid economic growth and socio-economic transformation. Mr Speaker, when you refer to section one of the speech, you will note that His Excellency, the President clearly and precisely stated the macroeconomic objective of his Government. To restate it, he said that over the medium- term period, he intends to ensure that the Government of Uganda promotes economic growth that would be estimated at about 5.5 per cent per annum this financial year and over the medium-term, ranging between 6.5 per cent per annum and 7.7 per cent per annum. Mr Speaker, that is a clear indication of a brilliant person who knows what a policy objective is. I thank him for that. Mr Speaker, in outlining - (Member timed out.)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, Malaba is the gateway to Uganda. When you go to Malaba today, you have literally nowhere to pass if you are driving a car. This is a two-lane road that you find one lane occupied by vehicles heading towards Kenya and because of the border, they have to go through a process before they cross, people have literally nowhere to pass because you are left with one lane. I was there physically and had a problem going from Malaba to Tororo. I remember the President directed that the Ministry of Works and Transport, since there are no funds to construct four lanes for now, at least temporarily creates a separate marram

Honourable colleagues, allow me give you information. In 2017 when we were processing the Budget, National Water and Sewerage Corporation made a proposal in a programme called SCAP to connect 25,000 small villages because national water had been an organisation, which was being appreciated for profit making. My question was, people do not have water and you are declaring profit? The moment you declare a profit, money goes to the Consolidated Fund and you know the principle; the moment it goes there, it loses colour. It can no longer go for water or anything else. National Water and Sewerage Corporation made a proposal that, “We need Shs 30 billion. From the money we declare as profit from our own operations, we will collect Shs 55 billion to go and connect small villages.” That was the time we also said, “Well, you can hike the rate for town consumers to subsidise the rate for villages.” We went into serious debate but Government provided zero money after approving it. When it reached Parliament, I remember we made a decision and it came from the Committee on Natural Resources, supported by the Committee on Budget and later on by the House, that we cut money from money provided for thermal generators in Tororo to provide money to National Water and Sewerage Corporation. The programme started. Why I brought you that information is that sometimes we are accused that Parliament tampers with the Budget. However, money for dimmed energy, which we cut, managed to kick-start a programme that has connected many villages. As Parliament, we can behave in a way that is responsible to the citizens and save them. Unfortunately, this financial year, it skipped our eye that money was removed, meaning that we are not going to continue with this SCAP programme. That is the programme where you could find National Water even deep in the villages. I hope we shall monitor it very well and see how best we can rescue that programme. Honourable colleagues, we have another big report, which we are going to handle. I put the question that the report of the Committee on Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises) (PAC – COSASE) on the report of Auditor- General on the Financial Statements of National Water and Sewerage Corporation for the financial year ended 30 June 2022 and other matters be adopted. (Question put and agreed to.) Report adopted.

18 Hon. Ruhunda Alex Fort Portal Central NRM L9 Hon. Seky'anzi Benard Krrya Budyebo Counry NRM <944 '20 Hon. Wandwasr Robert Bungokho South County NRM 2r Hon. Hashim Sulaiman Neebr Municrpalry NRM 22 Hon. Maneno Zumura DWR Obongr NRM 23 Hon. Nangoli Gerald Elgon North Count-v NRM 24 Hon. Ababiku Jessica DWR Adjuman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi hus Bugahya County NRM 26 Hon. Lrnda Irene DWR Fort Portal NRM -PJ '27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu C<.runty NRM 28 Hon. Twalla Fadil Trngey County NRM 29 Hon. NsrbambL Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC --Ta^- 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 3l DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Okot Santa Hon. Auma Kennv Kwania North UPC 33 Hon Sebamala Rrchard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Elijah Kasilo Countv IND ac. Hon Mpindi Bumah PwDs Rep IND 36 Hon Nsanla Patnck Ntenjeru Counlv South IND 37 IND DWR Lamwo Iganga Munrcipality IND \ 38 39 Hon. Acora Nancy Hon Mugema Peter Hon Roland Nd1'omug.yenyr Rukrga Counlv IND $fuisn\ -t 2

22 18 Hon. Ruhunda Alcx Fort Portal Central NRM t9 Hon. Se$anzr Benard Krrya Budyebo County NRM sffi,-. 20 Hon. Wandwasr Roberr Bungokho South County NRM 2l Hon. Hashim Sularman Neebi Municipalrty NRM Hon. Maneno Zorrlura DWR Obongi NRM 23 Hon. Nangoh Gerald Elgon North County NRM 24 Hon. Ababrku Jessrca DWR Adj uman NRM 25 Hon. Wakabi Pius Buga hya County NRM -:.\ 26 Hon. Linda lrcne DWR Fort Portal NRM 27 Hon. Kamukama Davis Bunyangabu Count5r NRM 2a Hon. Tw'alla Fadrl Tingey County NRM 29 Hon. Nsrbambr Yusuf Mawokota South County FDC q+ -.,1--tt 30 Hon. Ekanya Geofrey Tororo County FDC 31 Hon. Okot Santa DWR Aruu North PPP 32 Hon. Auma Kenny Kwania North UPC .).) Hon. Scbamala Richard Bukoto Central DP 34 Hon. Okupa Ehlah Kasrlo County IND 35 Hon. Mprndr Bumali RrDs Rcp IND 36 Hon. Nsanja Patrrck NtenJeru County South IND 37 Hon Acora Nancy DWR Lamwo IND 38 Hon Mugema Peter lganga Municipalrty IND 39 Hon. Roland Ndyomuglenyi Rukiga County IND &^^.*r*i

Thank you, Madam Speaker. You did ask us to get to our constituencies. We do not fly, but move by road. This House, severally, in the last session, discussed the motion on the Uganda Road Fund – funding for our roads – because of the challenges that we were all facing in our constituencies. Madam Speaker, I appreciate you, this Parliament and the Executive for allocating Shs 1 billion to every district. However, we had a District Road Committee meeting in Tororo. To our shock, while the guidelines were sent to the districts, we asked for this money and how the district was planning to utilise it. It was not an issue of Uganda Road Fund. A few people within the district now decided to sit and plan for this money. When we visited the roads where this money was supposed to be utilised – Madam Speaker, you will be shocked: a passable motorable road is where this money had been allocated. For roads that are completely cut off and those that are completely impassable – and looking like potato gardens – no money was allocated. The issue I am raising here is that it is under the District Road Funds, where Members of Parliament sit with the secretary for works and the district chairperson and discuss how this money is actually spent. However, the way it is now, this money is going to get lost in the hands of a few people in the district, if we are not careful. Therefore, the procedural issue I am raising is that rather than this money going directly to the districts - and it is now the Executive and a few decision makers – let this Shs 1 billion be routed through the Road Fund, where there is accountability and where Members of Parliament sit. This is the issue; a case in point is Tororo and I am sure it is also happening in other districts. I would like to bring this to your attention, Madam Speaker. I do not see why the Shs 1 billion cannot go through the Road Fund, where we sit and can clearly monitor how it is spent. Thank you very much for this opportunity, Madam Speaker.

That is a very far district in Butambala. What about a nearby one in Tororo? (Laughter) Let us go to the next item. Honourable members, that Shs 1 billion is yours. LAYING OF PAPERS THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND DISPOSAL OF PUBLIC ASSETS AUTHORITY ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2021/2022

First check the First Schedule. Let us resolve one issue at a time. The First Schedule has Kampala and districts of Uganda. Bundibugyo and Kasese are in Rwenzori; Busia, Butaleja, Pallisa and Tororo in Bukedi and Abim, Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto in Karamoja. Mbale, Sironko and Manafwa are in Bugisu, Bukwo and Kapchorwa in Sebei while Adjumani and Moyo are in Madi - Should I read all?

9121 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 Madam Speaker, after the on-going audit of the Government payroll, the ban on recruitment will also be lifted to enable cover the staffing gaps in education. Government will continue to support sports activities and entertainment talents and enforce copyrights for performing artists. Safe Water The national coverage for safe and clean water for human consumption now stands at 70 per cent; with 67 per cent in rural areas and 72 per cent in urban areas, but we still need more. In rural areas, gravity flow schemes have been completed at Lirima in Manafwa, Lukalu- Kabasanda in Butambala and Nyabuhikye- Kikyenke in Ibanda. Piped water systems have also been constructed at Nyakabingo in Rukungiri, Kabuyanda in Isingiro, and Orom Water Supply System in Kitgum-Lamwo. In addition, 40 solar-powered mini-piped schemes serving 173,000 persons have been constructed across 15 least-served districts including Lyantonde, Sembabule, Yumbe, Rakai, Buyende, Kamuli and Kakumiro. In urban areas, nine piped water supply and sanitation systems have been completed in Dokolo, Padibe - Lamwo, Odramacaku - Arua, Kagadi, Morulem and Alerek (Abim), and Kambuga II in Kanungu. Access to safe and clean water will be enhanced to achieve 85 per cent coverage in rural areas and 100 per cent coverage in urban areas by the year 2025. Next year, the main activities towards this goal include the construction of 1,540 boreholes in 1,050 villages and town wards; building 49 large, 67 medium and 80 small piped water schemes in both urban and rural areas, and the rehabilitation and maintenance of 50 water systems in growth centres. Interventions that build human capital have been allocated Shs 9.57 trillion, representing 18.2 per cent of the total budget. In addition, the Government, together with the World Bank, are implementing the $500 million in Uganda through the Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer programme to construct health centres III, IV, seed secondary schools and micro-scale irrigation facilities in local governments that do not have these facilities. Enhancing Infrastructure Stock and Quality The stock and quality of infrastructure is a key enabler for economic growth, development and social transformation. Transport Infrastructure Transport infrastructure development has been a major hallmark of Uganda’s recent economic development. The road sector in 1986 totalled 7,900 km. Today, it has expanded twenty-fold to almost 160,000 km. While only 6,700 km of today’s road network is paved, the road network now allows access to even the remotest parts of Uganda. Next financial year, we will substantially complete 16 national road projects including Atiak-Laropi, Moroto-Lokitanyala, Kawuku- Bwerenga, Namugonde-Bugiri, Nsambya- Mukwano, the Kampala Flyover and Rushere Town and Kyamate Access roads. In addition, priority will be accorded to maintenance of existing road networks, both national and District Urban and Community Access Roads (DUCAR). The Bukungu-Kagwara- Kaberamaido (BKK) Ferry and related landing sites, and Lake Bunyonyi ferries and their landing sites will also be completed. Madam Speaker, emergency repairs of the Kampala-Malaba Metre Gauge Railway were completed this year. (Applause) My team will have to come and explain this. The full rehabilitation of the Kampala–Malaba and Tororo–Gulu Metre Gauge Railway will

9133 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA THURSDAY, 15 JUNE 2023 leather factory in Kawumu, our people were importing leather from China and India. I heard all of you make speeches there, but I am begging all the NRM cadres: this is where history demands collective and cohesive action from the NRM cadres. Now that we have got an educated workforce – you heard what Mr Kasaija said: 80 per cent of Ugandans can now read and write, up from 43 per cent. Now that we have got an educated workforce, enough electricity, good roads and we are building or repairing the railway system – in the speech I did not add this, but Mr Kasaija talked about it: we have got cheap money in the Uganda Development Bank for industry - every effort must be made to add value to all our products because this is what is lacking. Why add value to coffee? It is because you will earn more than 10 times more when you add value to coffee unlike the way we are selling it now. We need to add value to cotton, timber, cocoa and fish products – although the factories are producing fish fillet, we can add more value. We also need to add more value to gold – we need more gold refineries. We need to add value to iron-ore – we do not want to sell unprocessed iron-ore to anybody; we need to sell steel. We also need to add value to copper, vermiculite – there is a lot of vermiculite in Bugisu. We need to add value to phosphates – you can imagine we are crying that there is war in Europe; so, we cannot get phosphates, but we have phosphates in Tororo here. The Chinese man who had come there had his money stolen by our people. He was stupid – he was giving bribes to idiots and thieves. He should have helped me to get them and I would have hanged them. However, we shall get other investors. We need to add value to phosphates, petrochemicals, maize, bananas, etc. By doing this, this economy will jump to $550 billion instead of nearly $55.2 billion that we are talking about – laudable though, it is. I am happy that we have gone to $55.2 billion, but I am not satisfied. During the Address on the State of the Nation, I quoted the economy of South Korea in 1961 – I hope you can compare it with that of Uganda in 1961. In that speech, I said South Korea’s economy was about $2 billion, but it is now almost $2 trillion. Imagine that little country has got a GDP, which is half the GDP of the whole of Africa. Africans tebaswala – Africans have no shame! South Korea is half the size of Uganda, but they now have a GDP, which I think is almost $2 trillion. I hear all these people quoting this when they go to meetings. “Africa’s GDP is now three-something trillion”. I really feel embarrassed. Why can’t these people keep quiet? How can the whole of Africa have an economy smaller than Japan – because Japan has got $5 trillion? Here you are now, talking about the GDP of Africa being Shs 3 trillion. You are not even embarrassed; I am embarrassed to talk like that. That is what I was telling the NRM MPs in Kyankwanzi. You are talking of oversight, okay; thank you, very much but is it in order to do oversight on backwardness and you feel satisfied that you are overseeing backwardness? Thirty-nine per cent of the people are outside the money economy. Coffee raw material, which is 100 per cent, is given away for free. You should be transformation agents. Why do I say that? And I would like anybody to challenge me -when I get out from this Coronavirus isolation, I will be able to face anybody who wants a challenge. It is because the $55.2 billion we are talking about presupposes only a quantitative expansion of our economy through creating more products. You grow more coffee, maize and raw materials; that is how you end up growing by 6 per cent, the one Hon. Kasaija was talking about. However, if, instead of simply growing coffee beans, I process a kilo of coffee from bean to powder, I earn $40 instead of earning $2. What is that percentage now? No, I am not ready to accept that plan of slavery for Africa.

9096 ADDRESS ON THE STATE OF THE NATION The rehabilitation works of Mityana - Mubende (86 kilometres); 14 kilometres town roads in Mubende; Olwiyo-Pakwach (62 kilometres); Alwii - Nebbi (33 kilometres) are ongoing. The Government is expediting the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway, starting next Financial Year 2023/2024, starting with Malaba to Kampala. I welcome the decision of His Excellency, President William Ruto of Kenya, agreeing to extend the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Malaba because that was a problem. In the meantime, the rehabilitation of the Tororo to Gulu Metre Gauge Railway and Kampala Metre Gauge Railway are underway. As regards road transport, priority will be given to the maintenance of existing road networks, especially in the urban areas, continued upgrade of selected strategic roads from gravel to bituminous surface, maintenance of national districts and community roads by facilitating each district in the country, with a minimum of Shs 1 billion to upgrade and compact the dry weather marram roads next financial year. Infrastructure priorities Government has over the years invested heavily in infrastructure. This has helped to narrow the huge infrastructure gap we had in the 1990s. However, there are still critical gaps that Government will continue to prioritise in order to reduce the cost of doing business such as lowering the electricity price. You know, these people use their mysterious language; power tariffs and all that. Mwe ba wanainchi, ekyo mukitegele bulungi, bano byeboogela ebya “power tariffs”. They simply mean electricity prices for manufacturers and other businesses. The critical infrastructure include the railway, upgrading of airports, including completion of Kabaale International Airport, which is at 91 per cent completion and Entebbe International Airport, which is at 71 per cent completion; development of new ports on our lakes; and completing the heavy investment in the energy infrastructure, for example, Karuma Dam and associated transmission lines. We also need to build new airports near the tourism destinations such as Kidepo, Bwindi, Kasese, among others. Tourists, who are the rich people, do not have time to come, land at Entebbe International Airport and drive for 700 kilometres to Kidepo. No, they do not have time. We need to build airports for the rich foreigners to land near the national park, see the animals and go away. Those airports, of course, also help with security. Like now with night operations in Karamoja, we fly very far; from Nakasongola and all those places. It is better to have a good airport which can operate day and night in those areas. Government will prioritise infrastructure that supports industrialisation, production of oil and gas, and promote tourism. These include industrial parks, electricity power substations, extending and upgrading electricity transmission lines, water for industrial use and ICT infrastructure. Energy The total electricity generation capacity is now 1,346.6 megawatts. This is from 60 megawatts in 1986. This will increase to 1,800 megawatts once Karuma is commissioned this year. This means, therefore, that the construction of the transmission lines to evacuate this power must be completed without further delays. These lines include Karuma-Kawanda (400 KV), Karuma-Olwiyo (400 KV), Karuma-Lira (132 KV) and Kole-Gulu-Nebbi-Arua. They did not include the strength here; I think it is 132 KV. The demand for electricity is increasing by 15 per cent per year, although these figures of finance are kasoobo . You heard my figures on the milk; 193 per cent. Bano bali ku 15 per cent. Anyway, we are talking with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and I think we shall eventually agree. They are beginning to wake up because they are the ones who wrote this. Mukawulire kano . Bebawaandika bino ; Katonda yebazibwe .

9101 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 In the cattle corridor - the Members of Parliament were there the other day - you saw people with nice houses in Goma and income, even when the infrastructure is not there. You saw the very bad road, but the people have income. Therefore, every leader calling himself a leader - even these religious leaders, the cultural leaders like these who are here – Please, if you do not see the importance of metamorphosis - metamorphosis is a biological process in insects. An insect starts as an egg, the egg hatches and it becomes a caterpillar; the caterpillar changes and then becomes a pupa; then, it becomes a mature butterfly. In biology, it is called “metamorphosis.” That is the same thing with society. We must be clear that we work for social metamorphosis of African societies because that is where the problem is. The middle class women who live in the town here do not carry children on their back -(Laughter) Mama Janet has never carried children on her back. Even when we were in exile, we were pushing our children in these small “ wheelbarrows” -(Laughter). You have got a few people where the children are being pushed in those small - whatever they are - those motor vehicles. They have piped water and use gas cookers and electric cookers. Then, you have your people blowing into the fire -(Laughter)- this is not acceptable. It is a betrayal and we say that we are leaders, “Your Excellency, right honourable…” (Laughter ) You cannot have peasants producing younger peasants on increasingly fragmented agricultural plots and think that you are not an enemy of your country, if as a leader, you do not see this and combat it. You should not be leaders into futurelessness to our people. You can see, in Latin America, people are running away. They walk on foot to go to America and yet Latin America is one of the richest parts of the world in terms of natural resources, but the problem is the leadership. In the United States of America, they had leaders who could think about how to transform their country while in South America, they are busy with other things. Africa should not be like that. Education I am about to conclude; so, do not worry. I have another 10 pages or something -(Laughter)- because you are the ones who invited me. The NRM Government introduced UPE and USE programmes in order to ensure that no child of school-going age misses out on schooling, on account of school fees. These programmes were created to provide free education, especially for the poor families that cannot afford to pay the school fees. It is, therefore, unacceptable for school authorities to demand fees from the poor parents. The Government will not tolerate this practice. Education must be totally free in Government schools. The local leaders must enforce this when we give them renewed orders after an internal review, to find out the obstacles hitherto. We are going to review and issue fresh orders. Once these fresh orders are given, please, I do not expect any deviation from what we shall tell you to do. The literacy rate is currently 76 per cent while overall, school enrolment is at 85 per cent. The demand for free primary and secondary education has increased significantly, which is overwhelming the current education infrastructure. Part of the problem is that private schools have increased school fees, making Government schools more attractive. To meet the increase in demand for free education, the Government is now rehabilitating the primary schools and the traditional Government secondary schools. These include 18 secondary schools such as: 1. St Peter’s College, Tororo; 2. St Henry’s College, Masaka; 3. Mvara Secondary School, Arua; 4. Nabisunsa Girls’ Secondary School Kampala; 5. Kabalega Secondary School, Masindi;

8982 THE COMPETITION BILL, 2022 [ Mr Opendi] including my own hospital in Tororo. I get very many phone calls and I have to intervene and that is when the health workers attend to this mother. This should not happen in this era. Mr Speaker, I beg to move.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. In March 2021, the Ministry of Local Government did officially launch the issuance of LC 1 stamps. As we talk about security issues; corruption and forgery, these LC 1 stamps, which were nationally procured, would go a long way in helping us to deal with some of the challenges of forgeries and even the theft of cattle that we are seeing in some of the communities. In my district of Tororo, we have LC 1 chairpersons who have never received these stamps to date. My prayer is that the Minister of Local Government issues these stamps to the LC 1 chairpersons so that we can be able to know where the problem is and why they have not been given these stamps since 2021. Then after that, let these stamps be issued to the LC1 chairpersons. Otherwise, our motion on the Rural Electrification Agency has also been pending. It would help us deal with the gaps in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development. Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. First of all, I apologise for that omission, but I stood here on this very Floor of Parliament when Hon. Martin Muzaale raised the point of stamps and I appealed to all Members to submit their lists, in case they had a similar gap. We procured and delivered stamps for all those who submitted their plight. I pledge to do the same for Tororo. Thank you.

8923 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 You find well established industries like Tororo Cement Industry– (Member timed out.)

8961 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 24 MAY 2023 maternity leave because in that case, you can give them six months which is normally given and if they are not well, give them another six months. They can give you six months without pay but you will still hold your employment because then, you are not dismissed. You are a good performer but because of the maternity condition, you are not well enough or you have had triplets. There may be some kind of exception. Secondly, something which has not come out clearly is that some of the sicknesses could be job related. We have had people working in industries who are exposed to excessive dust and yet they do not know. They develop lung problems, they keep coughing and having problems and yet they do not know the cause. This issue was discovered in Tororo for those who worked in the fertilizer factory. We must also eliminate sickness which is related to employment itself. Can I get clarification on that?

Thank, Mr Speaker. I rise on a matter of urgent public importance under Rule 54 of the Rules of Procedure that pertains to the delayed upgrade of the strategic economic road running from Tororo via Nagongera to Busolwe measuring 44 kilometres. This road was programmed by Uganda National Roads Authority for a study to be undertaken in-house this financial year. Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development duly released the money. Many people, including myself, are aware that a study of this nature takes at least six months. We are hardly two months to the end of the financial year and the people of Tororo are worried as [Ms Nakadama] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

8795 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 23 MAY 2023 to whether they are going to be taken for a ride again, this time round. My prayers, therefore, are that: 1. The Minister of Works and Transport updates this House and indeed the people of Tororo on the status of this in-house feasibility study to upgrade this road; 2. You kindly ask the Minister of Works and Transport to ensure that the money released to UNRA is duly applied for the purpose for which it was meant for the credibility of our budget. Thank you.

That is not true. It is not functional; it had financial challenges and is currently closed in Tororo.

Hon. Angura, if it is in Tororo, can we get confirmation? Let our research assistants not just get information from the corridors. Do you know the factory?

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

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

That takes us to the issue of the famous Tororo border. Tell us what you found out from the United Kingdom and the maps.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. It is very unfortunate that the people of Yumbe are facing a crisis arising from border tensions. How I wish the Government could fast-track that since it involves an international border. The solutions to border challenges, internally and externally, were resolved by the Addis Ababa Resolution when independence was granted to nations after the partitioning of the continent in a meeting that agreed that there would be no alterations of borders or boundaries within different countries. This leads us to the situation we have been having in Tororo. We were sent to London to verify the boundaries between Tororo County and West Budama. Madam Speaker, I want to inform the House that we are waiting for the release of that report that is expected to be done by His Excellency the President. In London, details regarding all border disputes are in the Commonwealth archives. We got maps dating before independence and the partitioning of Africa. Also, all boundaries can be verified in London, if what is locally available is not authentic.

I would like to conclude by saying that where there is an internal or external boundary disagreement, the Commonwealth archives are open. Since I requested to raise a matter of national importance, which is important to all of us here, may I be granted the opportunity to proceed as the people of Tororo -

As the Government comes, they should communicate when they are bringing the Tororo report. If that Tororo report was laid here, it would sort out the confusion within the country internally and otherwise; that report will put all our minds to rest.

Madam Speaker, regarding the Tororo report, the Government is handling it. I request the Member of Parliament to give us time so that this report can be handled to its conclusion. We have to look for the people concerned and get information from them so that we come here with a conclusive report.

8685 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA WEDNESDAY, 17 MAY 2023 On 20 th of last month, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Rebecca Kadaga, travelled to Malaba and held a meeting with the stakeholders. They agreed, among others, that the community gate that had been closed be opened and the empty trucks start to exit and enter through Malaba. The blocking of the empty trucks had caused problems. For example, trucks coming to Tororo Cement Industry were taking a longer route of about 200 kilometres. However, they allowed empty trucks to exit for one day only. Yesterday, another directive was given that empty trucks should not exit, leading to a strike. As I speak, there is paralysis at the border which has affected both inward and outward movement of trucks and it will continue if we do not resolve it. Madam Speaker, the matter of national importance that I am raising is, let the Government grant the request of the people for the drivers to cross to and from Kenya at a point convenient to them. Those who want to use Busia Border should use Busia Border and those who want to use Malaba, Lwakhakha or any other border should be allowed to use them. My prayer is for the Rt Hon. Prime Minister to direct Uganda Revenue Authority – For the survival of the people of Malaba and Tororo County at large, we need freedom of entry and exit for trucks and persons because it is the livelihood of the community. The central business district of Malaba is now collapsing and we need movement to resume as directed by Rt Hon. Kadaga. I beg to submit, thank you very much.

He comes from Tororo.

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Vot nrD. Ainalrnt llrctl 60,+ 4.603.643.823 605 Jmla Ctt!. 4 .529 .t? | .? 53 606 lrra clw 1.520.445.594 607 Malaka Crtv )39.52? 544 604 r3,+.133.003 60q 16.663.662.020 610 Soroo CItv 2.914.038.950 ?ot Aoac Mumclbal Counc 2.75t '?4 610 ?05 Eatcbb. MumcDr-t Counc 6.634.70?.446 ?oe Kaba.lc MunrcDal Councd 3 .4O2.620 .232 ?09 Ka-6ull MumcDal Counc 6. t,+7.,m4.4 I a 7tl Kr!c!. Murlclaal Counc 2 4Sq O2A O3,+ ?t4 Krtaum MunrcrDrl Couac 8.200.000.000 ?t2 Lucaa Mu[rclDal Counc 6.983.786.560 ?22 Moroto MunrcDal Counc 2.? 52 _At3 _3?4 ?23 Mubcddc MumcrDal counc 3_qo2.556.4S5 ?28 NtunEa.mo MurlraDd C6unc 3.300.883. r82 ?11 Tororo MumcDal Counc 7.500.000.000 ao2 Adrumalu DBtnct 4.414.940.14S 8r0 lrua Dlltnct | .?2r .439 .83',t 437 l noro Dratnct 13.437.515.380 aso l(e.awcntc Drstnct l r.88,+.sog. r59 865 lorvandoaro O6tnct 5.S,13.241.324 a?9 Lamwo Dlstnct 2 .995.t32.922 aas Madr-Okollo Dtltnct t.t92.9??.ttg 896 Movo Drstnct 49S.547.37r 913 Oboaa Dlstrrcl r.gr7.?45.26s 931 2.590.662.?20 q34 Yuaba DBtflct 6.539 2r? .?46 IOTAI. 15{!.6{x).2m. 159 A IEI8: UNSp€t{T FUNOS lN fY202r22 (UGIO t1 61 L- Votc l(rac A.ao|rrt tIrOXt 606 2.962.$2 947 6lo Sorotr Crty 846.780.S03 ?ot Apac Munrcroal Councll 1.146.I()4.421 704 Kabalc Mumcroe-t Counc 1. r63.Or4.383 ?oe liamuh Munrabel Coua. 671.552,935 7to KaDchorwi MurucrDa.l councd lqI.t84.I0l ?13 ($o.o MutucrDal Counc[ 36.78 t.5r{ 715 1.S16. rOA_O73 Koboko-MumcDil Councd & € M*

Annet Musrsha la Hon Dr Atrm Asrrcs ADca Member DWR Amolatar -{ 1g Hon Mbabazr Pascal Member Buwekula County 20 Osoru Hon Mounne Member DWR Arua Crty 2l Hon Kankunda Amos lcbw&a Mcmbcr Rwampara Countv 22 Hon Tmkasumrre Barnabas Member County Buyaga West 23 Hon Ycn Ofipono Apollo Member Tororo MunlclDahty 24 Hon Ndamrra Atwakxrc CatheLne Member DWR Kabale 25 Kabanda Hon Davrd Member Kasambya Countv 26 Omara Hon Paul Member Otuke County 27 Hon Nrwagaba Wrlfred Membcr County Ndorwa East 28 Hon. Nakato Mary Annet Membcr DWR Buvende 29 Hon Nyang eso Denms Member Safi[a-Buglve Central County 30 Hon Acrro Paska Mcnya Member DWR Pader 31 Hon Musherure Nayebare Kutesa Shartsr Member Mat ogota North County 32 Hon Maxwell Patnck Akora Ebong Member Maruzr County 33 Hon Bayrgga Mrchaet PhrhD Member Bulkwe Lulume South Hon Muwanga lovumbr Muhammad Member 34 Butambala County

Mr Speaker, thank you. I think that was an omission. Under the development of the new Bukasa Port, the committee recommends that Shs 29 billion be allocated towards the development and completion of the new port. Under road equipment for cities and municipalities, the committee realised that almost $50 million is required. The committee’s recommendation is that in the medium term, the Government finds money to fund that. Under improving road safety and regulation of the transport sector, only Shs 23.86 billion has been allocated against the requirement of Shs 62.88 billion. The committee urges the Government to prioritise funding towards activities aimed at ensuring road safety in Uganda. Under streamlining management for motor vehicle registration, only Shs 14 billion has been allocated. It has a requirement of Shs 86.2 billion with a very big project of building a one-stop center. The committee, therefore, recommends that an additional allocation of Shs 72.26 billion be provided in this financial year to streamline motor vehicle management and registration if the ministry and Government are to meet the set targets and outputs. Mr Speaker, there is the Kasoli Housing Project which has a SACCO. It is a low-cost housing project where the SGR is supposed to sit in Tororo. The SACCO petitioned Parliament. The fund required is Shs 3.74 billion for the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) in 92 houses, DFCU Bank Shs 3.1, PAPS in the 90 structures Shs 817 million and there is another group of 17 freehold offers from pool housing of Shs 143.5 million. The committee recommends a total of Shs 4.73 billion to be paid to SGR of which, Shs 3,186,960,558 should be paid to DFCU Bank. Mr Speaker, you gave a directive that this issue should be rested once and for all. You gave the assignment to the Prime Minister. Regarding critical funding under civil aviation, the committee was informed that the country continues to lose a lot of foreign exchange from the tourism sector due to the poor status of one

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

Mr Speaker, Hon. Allan Mayanja, Member of Parliament for Nakaseke Central, raised a matter of national concern regarding the presence of an infestation by the African Armyworm in Nakaseke District. His prayers were that: 1. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries provides chemicals and tools to Nakaseke District Local Government for the management and control of the African Armyworm. 2. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries appears and presents a status report to this Parliament. Mr Speaker, my response to this question is that the African armyworm is a migrant pest that damages cereal crops and grasses during the vegetative growth stage and can cause up to 100 per cent loss if not controlled. The pest is sporadic and its spread and impact is facilitated by environmental conditions such as high temperatures, erratic rainfall and wind currents (on which adult moths ride). Mr Speaker, last year, during the first season (March-May), there was repeated African armyworm upsurge and infestation in over 50 districts, damaging cereals (millet, sorghum, maize and rice) and grass. This invasion was put under control – like I told you last week but one – by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, working with local governments and farmers. The ministry provided over 20,000 litres of pesticide (Cypermethrin) and 120 motorised spray pumps together with protective gear to control the pests. Mr Speaker, at the onset of the current planting season (February-March this year), some pockets of the African armyworm infestation were reported in five districts (Nakaseke, Tororo, Nwoya, Busia and Pader). The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, working with local governments and farmers, suppressed the infestation to very low populations. Intensification of rainfall in the country further suppressed the pests naturally. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries is continuing to monitor the pest situation and has procured 6,000 litres of the recommended pesticide and 60 motorised pumps and 100 sets of protective gear to support the control operations in case of a resurgence. Finally, we appeal to farmers and the general public to remain vigilant and report any incidents of this pest or any other to the lower local governments and district authorities to enable timely response by Government. In brief, these pests were suppressed both naturally and with the help of local government. Hon. Omara Paul, Member of Parliament, Otuke County asked that the 10 th Parliament enacted the mining law which, according to him, provided for a 5 per cent tax on a kilogramme of refined Gold exports. This law could not be implemented because there were serious disagreements between the Gold refining companies and the Uganda Revenue Authority. However, the 11 th Parliament, in 2022, repealed the Mining Act, 2003 and cured the lacuna in the law by passing a provision in the new Mining Act under Section 287(2)(s), which states thus: “A tax of Shs 200 per kilogramme of gold exported, will be applied.” The provision of the law allows for retrospective application of the tax, effective July 2021. His prayer is: why hasn’t Government facilitated the recovery of tax arrears yet we are running a deficit budget?” My response, Mr Speaker, is that revenue from the export of Gold has been included in the revenue projections since Financial Year 2021/2022. For the period 1 July 2021 to March

Thank you. Hon. Angura says you should buy Tororo Cement, from his constituency. (Laughter)

7938 MINISTERIAL STATEMENT SUPPLEMENTARY SCHEDULE NO.1 FOR FY 2022/2023 a case in Tororo in the neighbourhood of my constituency - and I know Hon. Angura will bear me witness - where a gentleman called Richard Omwa was found selling adulterated cement. He was arrested by the police in Bendo B Zone - you know that fellow. Even in Mukono here, the same thing happened, and that was in July 2021. In Mukono, three people were arrested after the police burst a racket of fake cement manufacturers. So, fake cement is on the market. Speaker, as I conclude, serious issues regarding load shedding have been raised by two Members - the honourable member from Busia Municipality and the honourable member from Hoima City - and I would like to give you the statistics. As of December 2021, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) gave estimates that electricity capacity is 1,346 Megawatts and the demand is 800 Megawatts. Mr Speaker, we were with you in the same committee and so, you are very polished on these statistics - leaving a surplus of 546 Megawatts. With this surplus, why would Uganda be grappling with the challenge of load shedding, Madam Speaker? Sorry, Mr Speaker, I meant Madam Prime Minister; you know, you can never become a lady.

Honourable colleagues, the issue of money and perceptions is an issue which will not go away; you are an MP in every aspect. That is why when you stand, even before being nominated, when you just announce that you are standing, they start calling you “honourable” because at that time, you have money. So, you are an MP meaning “Money Person”. (Laughter) When you get elected, to the people that you had running around and calling for meetings and yet you were not giving them money, you remain an MP – “Mean Person”. (Laughter) After spending everything and you lose an election, you still remain an MP – “Miserable Person”. (Laughter) So, whichever way, you are an MP. (Laughter) Therefore, remain MPs and be strong. We allowed leaders to submit their views and we considered that they had spoken, which is wrong. Let us just do a very quick round and I will start with Karamoja. Honourable member, we are not speaking in terms of districts, but subregions and you clapped when Rwenzori represented you. (Laughter) However, I will allow you to speak for Tororo.

Thank you so much, Madam Speaker. In my district of Tororo, we have been having a challenge -

Madam Speaker, the same trend happened at Malaba entry point. Members can read for themselves. Let me go to security. The joint security agencies of Uganda continue to closely monitor our borderline with Kenya from Busia, Tororo up to Karamoja areas to purposely protect our communities along the border and counter any spillover effects that could arise from the violent demonstrations. As a result, comprehensive deployments along the border have been put in place. The Government of Uganda would like to reassure the public that all residents along the border are safe and secure. Let me go to energy. Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Energy is in close contact with our counterparts in Kenya to ensure uninterrupted flow of petroleum products. Access to trade Madam Speaker and colleagues, the Government of the Republic of Uganda is working closely, like I have already told you, with our Kenyan counterparts to ensure that roads, railway and the sea routes remain open and secure to facilitate uninterrupted movement of goods. Below is my observation. Madam Speaker, from the above data, it is very clear that for the days of the 13 th , 20 th and 27 th of March, when the traffic fell due to demonstrations, the traffic flow of goods and general trade immediately picked up the following days in both Busia and Malaba entry points. The disruptions by demonstrations notwithstanding, our trade and traffic flow remain stable and there is absolutely no need to panic. Our economy still remains on course to collect its revenue from imports and the general trade, as programmed. We are also on course to attain the growth of our economy this financial year, as I am sure, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development already informed you. In conclusion, honourable members, I want to assure you and the country that we remain confident that the strong ties between the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Kenya will continue to blossom. Our two governments are on track to remove the few remaining non- tariff barriers, following bilateral discussions at all levels. These interruptions notwithstanding, our business with the Republic of Kenya and indeed, the East African Region as a whole, is on a sound upward trajectory. Madam Speaker and Members, I beg to move.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I recall the day we lost the Rt Hon. Jacob Oulanyah. As the Government Chief Whip then, you stood with the family, you were there doing the mobilisation and I thank you for that. I also thank the Rt Hon. Speaker for the support that the family received. The late Speaker asked us to remain consistent. If you had an issue that you wanted to put across, he advised that you remain consistent with your issue. I recall when our Tororo issues were highly heated up here in the House, he told me, “Stand firm. If the boundaries between West Budama and Tororo County are the ones you are talking about, they will remain so.” Government offered us an opportunity to travel to the UK, to the Commonwealth archives, to pick the maps. When we came back, I reported to him. While we were waiting for the official statement, the maps that were shown to us in Entebbe were the real maps also in the UK. He said, “I have now told you to be patient. You are going to see that district being divided according to the boundaries that were prescribed then.” That is the consistency that we knew the Rt Hon. Jacob for. I would like to also request you, Mr Speaker, that when that opportunity comes, we need to see that issue come to a close. The late Jacob loved sports. When I was preparing a team of young talented Ugandans to go for the showcase games in Spain as part of Festoweb, he supported that team and we travelled to Spain. No wonder after being flown to the US sick, aware that we had also travelled to Spain, he called and spoke to Hon. Kabanda and asked how we were faring. He was sick, but he also wanted to know what was happening to the team that he had supported to represent the country, but also promote talent. I stand with the family, colleagues and all of you who have spoken many good things about the Rt Hon. Speaker. He is watching us. May I now request the good Lord, who is near him, to grant him whatever mercies he needs as he rests in peace. Eyalama Noi. Emuria Kolia .

Rt Hon. Prime Minister, disaster hit Tororo when we experienced a heavy hailstorm as big as this table, which lasted for more than two weeks; destroying every livestock that was found hanging around and food crops. I requested that Government supports the people of Tororo with planting materials

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank my able Prime Minister for answering some of these questions. We are going to discuss this with the Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries to be able to give some supplements to some of these affected people. But at least, we responded to the immediate response that we needed in Tororo, as guided. Thank you.

Honourable colleague, this is anticipation under rule 80. I do not know what is in the report - I do not know whether the chairperson and the committee have covered all those aspects; so, my hands are tied. Let us first receive the report then at debate level, you can raise all these issues. Otherwise, rule 80 on anticipation does not allow us to provoke a matter that is going to be tabled on the Floor. Thank you. CPT. (RTD) KAHONDA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. This is a report of the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs on the alleged unfair and discriminatory recruitment by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. I beg to lay the minutes of the committee, the list of the recruits, particularly those who were recruited from Tororo, the advert, copies of their National Identity Cards, and copies of the LC recommendations together with recommendations from the GISOs. I beg to lay.

Thank you. Let the record capture them. CPT. (RTD) KAHONDA: Mr Speaker, at the First Sitting of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the 11 th Parliament of Uganda held on Wednesday, 6 July 2022, an urgent question was raised by Hon. Sarah Ochieng Opendi, the District Woman Representative for Tororo on alleged irregularities in the recruitment exercise by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces characterised by-

6957 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2023 on the alleged unfair and discriminatory recruitment by the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces. The Rt Hon. Speaker referred the matter to the Committee of Defence and Internal Affairs for consideration and report back to Parliament. The committee considered the issues and hereby reports. Background In 2004, the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs undertook a comprehensive programme to transform the UPDF into a modern, professional and accountable force, subordinate to civilian authority. Part of this is recruiting Ugandans who meet the standards prescribed in the UPDF or the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act, 2005, sections 51 and 52; details of who qualifies. Methodology The committee held meetings with the following: the Minister of State for Veteran Affairs and officials from the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces, Hon. Sarah Opendi, the District Woman Representative for Tororo District, Hon. Evelyn Chemutai, and the District Woman Representative of Bukwo District. The committee also received submissions from Hon. Faith Nakut, District Woman Representative of Napak District. Queries raised by Parliament Tororo District Allegations raised by Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi, the District Woman Representative for Tororo District was that people from elsewhere were recruited from Tororo and people from Tororo did not benefit from their quota. It was also alleged that the local leaders were not allowed to verify the list of recruits; RDCs and LCs were not given a copy of the recruits for reference. Nebbi District It was alleged that out of the 57 slots allocated, only 11 were from the district. Lira District The allegations were that in Lira District, most applicants were dropped for reportedly being HIV positive. The committee interacted with Hon. Sarah Achieng Opendi and Hon. Evelyn Chemutai and received written submissions from Hon. Faith Nakut. UPDF recruitment procedures The Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs and the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces carried out a national recruitment exercise from 18 June to 4 July. The recruitment coverage was for all Ugandan nationals and was based on a quota system. LCI chairpersons provided documents to the applicants to prove that one has no criminal liability and the National ID proved one’s nationality and presumes all biometrics and other details are with NIRA. At the recruitment centres, the RDCs, RCCs or GISOs signed on the dispatch forms before departure of the candidates to training schools. However, not everybody who came met the criteria to be recruited, as there were various tests undertaken to eliminate some people because of limited slots. The committee was informed that the UPDF followed the process of recruitment. The criteria for being an eligible applicant were: a) Be a citizen of Uganda; you would prove this with the national ID. b) Adult male or female (18 to 30 years of age). c) Uganda Certificate of Education or its equivalent certificate or qualifications or any of the above.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I thank the committee for finally bringing this report. However, justice delayed is justice denied. I presented this as a matter of national importance on the 6 th of July. This report is now being presented on the 24 th of January, over six months after the exercise, yet this was an urgent matter. Therefore, Mr Speaker, the issue that I presented has been overtaken by events. However, I am glad that the report brought out the issues that I did raise. The issue of extortion has not been denied. The second issue – Mr Speaker, for me, I have never interfered with any recruitment in my district. I often tell my people, who approach me for support, that all the people that turn up for that exercise are my voters, so, go and ensure that you meet the requirements and if you are lucky, you will be taken. However, this time, the complaints came from the leaders who were present at the recruitment exercise - the leaders themselves – that the person who was supposed to be in charge of the exercise did not allow any of the leaders to look at the final list that he generated. The leaders even asked to verify those purported letters from the local council chairpersons, but they were not allowed to look at them. That was the gist of the matter and that is why I had to raise it here. Fortunately, we had a roads committee meeting just around the same time and the minister for defence was there. Most of the LCs, after this matter was aired on radio, denied ever recommending those people although they were being mentioned as having recommended. What has not been denied is that there were letters of recommendation that were forged. It is possible that the LC letters, purportedly recommending some of these people, could have been printed from Nasser Road. After all, we do not know the signatures of all our LC 1 chairpersons. We do not have many of these complaints when the police or prisons are recruiting. There was even a young man who emerged, I think he was the third - you know, they make them run. This person ran and finished third, but he was not on the list. He had all the requirements. He was told to board and follow them, I think to Pallisa or somewhere there. That is where he, finally, got recruited. The lists you are seeing here, the 195 people, they could have been people who followed them to the other side. However, because they have the national ID reading “Tororo” now they are saying they are from Tororo. - Therefore, Mr Speaker, moving forward, when we bring such petitions here, they should be time-bound and handled immediately so that justice is dispensed. Now seven months down the road. These are all Ugandans. Let them complete, but the next time the UPDF is recruiting, allow the local leaders, who know who the LCs I are and who may have some information, to guide. The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Act, section 3 states very clearly that there shall be an armed force known as the Uganda People’s Defence Forces. And this shall be nonpartisan and national in character. The word “national in character” is the reason why they give every district a particular number so that the UPDF is “national in character” and does not belong to one particular group. When you leave an officer to particularly handle this exercise and finally, people run, then he generates the list and nobody looks at that list; we are being told that GISOs have signed. But under what circumstances did they sign this? There is corruption in this country. The report talks about extortion; it talks about corruption. Mr Speaker, while the committee was supposed to meet the district officials from

6962 SECTORAL COMMITTEE REPORT Tororo, he did not do that. While the committee stated that there were officers who took part in the malpractice and have been arrested for extortion, their names are not mentioned. Why are you hiding this information if it is correct and it was provided by the UPDF? I am happy that this has come out, but I am not wholly happy because the report has come seven months after I raised this matter which was an urgent matter. The clerks should support the presiding officers. When a presiding officer says this is an urgent matter, please remind the presiding officers; they have so many issues they are dealing with. There are so many Members of Parliament; 529 Members of Parliament that go to the presiding officers. So, they are bound to forget and they cannot follow up on everything. So, it’s my appeal to the clerks to support the presiding officers. I have other issues, Mr Speaker, still with the Committee on Defence. I hope that the issue of vehicle tracking is also brought here urgently. That was an urgent matter. It is over seven months and the committee still has it. We have rules and we cannot be calling the frontbench to come and tell us about the actions taken on the reports of this House when our own committees are not following our own rules. Mr Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Speaker, we are dealing with a very difficult matter. Particularly when it comes to Kampala, where we have a multicultural setting, it is quite difficult. There is no clear framework for someone to become a resident in any area. Tomorrow, I can go to Tororo, become a resident, and therefore get a letter from the LC asserting that I am a resident. Therefore, it is hard for us to disprove these letters from the LCs. When I was a mayor, I used to conduct interviews myself, and I found out that they had

6973 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 24 JANUARY 2023 just come for a day or two. Therefore, we must set clear criteria on who actually qualifies. Can someone come from Tororo to Kampala, my constituency, and in two days they claim they are residents? There is no clear framework on that and so, it is not easy. Secondly, the local councils that are mandated to recommend our people have no say. They only benefit from such recommendations. (Applause) Therefore, unless we address the issue of facilitating local councils for the great work they do, we shall always have such scenarios. Mr Speaker, on the 13 th of November 2021, over 2,000 UPDF –(Member timed out.) I beg for a little more time. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker, for this opportunity. I rise on a matter of national importance that has been burning and I have talked about it in this Parliament more than 10 times. Busia Municipality is flooded with trailers. Tororo road has more than 300 trailers, Majanji road has more than 80 and Kampala-Jinja Road has more than 500 trailers and the whole Customs is jammed. Madam Speaker, as I say this, the traders on Customs road cannot work because the trailers have parked in front of their shops. Whenever you pass under those trailers, there are things I cannot mention because these drivers have turned the trailers into bedrooms. These trailers have caused sanitation problems in Busia to be very bad. Madam Speaker, before I pray, these trailers have packed in Busia to an extent that in the history of this world, we have had a traffic jam of bicycles in Busia because we use boda- bodas on the border. Madam Speaker, additionally, as these trailers have been parked in Busia, we get electricity only two days and for six days, we are in total darkness. We keep asking Umeme what the problem is, especially given that we have fuel tanks at the border. It is my prayer, Madam Speaker, that the ministry or the Government - it is good that I am talking when the minister of trade is looking at me. We are saying that the journeys you made to Busia have not worked. I request the Speaker and the Government to allow my people of Busia to work by getting us a dry port, where goods can be offloaded and trailers go where they belong; and to sort out the issue of over-packing trailers because in case a trailer catches fire, we do not have a fire brigade in Busia at all. We do not have enough jerry cans, buckets and saucepans to get water to pour on a burning trailer. Therefore, please, assist us to make sure that trailers do not park in town. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much, my colleague. Madam Speaker, the issues of border connections are very important because cross- border trade will help our people, as a region, to curb the issue of unemployment. That is why I want to use the same opportunity to request the Government of Uganda - Kenya has tarmacked its road from Kisumu to Matayos. If that road is connected, our people will make a lot of money through cross-border trade. At the same time, the road from Tororo- Mungula –Buteba-Busia - the Kenyan side has already tarmacked its side. Kenya is like London. I wish they would tarmac this urgently. It will boost business across Busia, Uganda and Kenya. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

6733 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 6 JANUARY 2023 session early; I immediately transmitted the same to the President, whereby the rules require that the President ensures that it reaches Hon. Persis Namuganza. Therefore, on our side, we did our part, as per the rules. In this process, where we have reached, we are being commanded by the law. It is not being commanded by someone talking to me; by someone whispering. It is implementing the law the way it is. I will follow the law and the rules, as they are. This is because rule 109(9) is very clear that after 14 days of transmitting it to the President, I must cause Parliament to sit and appoint a select committee that will investigate the minister with the aim of establishing a prima facie case. A prima facie case is the case on the surface; evidently visible. That will be the role of the committee. Therefore, I am commanded by rule 109 of our Rules of Procedure to cause the House to appoint that committee. That committee is supposed to process the motion within 15 days, as provided for under rule 109(10) of our Rules of Procedure. That committee, in the process, under the same rule: 1. It to co-opt any Member to support it in its duty. 2. Any Member accused to appear before the committee either directly or through their representative and defend themselves. It would ensure that indeed the rules of natural justice are followed. I have proposed the names clearly and I have avoided names of people who already debated this matter on the Floor. I want the people who have not debated this matter to be part of this matter. People like Hon. Macho –(Laughter)- we have to protect the integrity of this House. We do not want anyone to claim that they are being victimised. The moment something is done, we want to give you a fair chance of defending yourself. We want you to appear before people who are fair and have not yet pronounced themselves. The process has to be thoroughly done. We do not want anyone to claim that they are being victimised. No. This is within the rules; whatever is being done is being done because the rules and the law provides for that. I, therefore, propose the following Members: 1. Hon Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama - Member of Parliament for Mbarara City South, as the chairperson of the committee. 2. Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba - Member of Parliament for Ndorwa East, as one of the senior legislators and custodians of the rules, to ensure that the rules are well followed. 3. Hon. Mpindi Bumali - Member of Parliament representing Persons with Disabilities. 4. Hon. Charles Bakkabulindi - Workers Representative. 5. Hon. Nancy Acora - Woman Member of Parliament for Lamwo District. 6. Hon. Betty Ethel Naluyima - Woman Member of Parliament for Wakiso District. 7. Hon. Geofrey Ekanya - Member of Parliament for Tororo County North. Members, I now put the question that the committee be approved. (Question put and agreed to.)

6701 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA FRIDAY, 23 DECEMBER 2022 Madam Speaker, we mourn and celebrate the life of a distinguished God fearing man of God and a Ugandan politician. He is remembered for leading a crusade to foster unity and harmony amongst Teso Members of Parliament. At the time when he was elected leader of the Teso Parliamentary Group, his patience and cooperation with members of Teso Parliamentary Group began to yield gains when he initiated a welfare fund for his colleagues to support each other in situations like this. The good representation to his people got him re-elected to represent the people of Serere County in the 11 th Parliament, a term he has passed on while serving. During his second term in Parliament, he has been serving on the Committee of Public Accounts (Central Government) as well as the Appointments Committee. Madam Speaker, Hon. Okabe was born on 28 November 1958 to retired Rev. Mesulam Abilet and Lucy Naire. Hon. Okabe went to Atira Primary School and completed primary in 1972. Thereafter, he was admitted to Ayal College for ordinary level, and sat for the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education in 1976. He joined the Bible Training Centre and graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Bible Theology from the Pentecostal Training Centre. In 1990, he took a Bachelor’s degree in theology from the Pan African Christian College. He holds a Master’s degree in Divinity from Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology. In 2018, he was awarded a PhD in Leadership from the University of America. He worked closely with the Emorimor, the Itesot Cultural leader, Bishop Onkile of the Anglican Church, the late Paul Etyang, Hon. Frederick Angura and other Tororo leaders; His Excellency the President of Uganda, and several Cabinet ministers to bring unity, harmony and development in Teso region. He commanded respect among his fellow pastors that he led as the bishop, and worked with Bishop Edweu, Bishop Eitu and other prominent pastors in Teso Region to strengthen unity, harmony and development in the subregion and Uganda at large. Hon. Okabe has been developmental. He served as the Managing Director of Serere Farmers Support Centre from the year 2018- 2021. He was also a devout Christian and served as the Managing Director of Voice of Serere FM and Faith Radio in 2006-2021, and the Director of Impact Schools Limited from 2002 to 2021; and Director of Rhema High School from 2007 to 2017. He was also the Director/overseer Impact Ministries Uganda from 1991 to 2021. His love for serving God was untiring. Being a son to a retired reverend helped him to get closer to understand the virtues of religion and how several issues would be resolved through unity and harmony, which he exhibited throughout his life. He was married to Christine Okabe with whom they have two children. We wish to extend our sincere sympathies and condolences to the bereaved family, friends, Teso region and the people of Uganda. May the Almighty God grant his soul eternal peace. I beg to justify.

Thank you. I just want to say that he loved his clan. He loved Iteso and he loved everybody. I remember when Hon. Galiwango had problems, Hon. Okabe told me, “that is my daughter.” I wondered what kind of man he was. We went home in Tororo and he sat in my sitting room and said, “My daughter, next time, bring Members to Serere because I want to host you.” Every time we were in Serere, he wanted to host Members of Parliament. He made sure to use his money without pain. The man would contribute to every function that happened in a place. If you approached him, you would find the man there. No wonder, people have come to pay tribute. Madam Speaker, may God bless you. You have taken responsibility where there was nobody. When I saw the wife dead and Hon. Okabe on one side, I said, “Who do we ask for clothes and every other thing?” The family that was coming from Serere also got into an accident in Kumi. We asked ourselves what was happening; what kisirani is this? When we heard that the mother had collapsed, I said, “I think things are getting hard.” We stood with Hon. Obote and the team from the Teso Parliamentary Group and with your guidance, Madam Speaker, we have moved. I thank you that we now see the light on the road. At the end of the day, the people in Serere are waiting and they are mourning; the gap will not be filled. Rest well, my brother; till we meet again. Eyalama !

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My condolences to the family. I am speaking on behalf of the people of Tororo. It is said that on Sunday, while preaching, he focused his sermons on Galatians 2:20 and he spoke for a very short time. His message was, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. His sermon was just as short as that. I want to end by saying, we thank the NRM Government for constructing tarmac roads in this country, but we need now to focus on the road designs to ensure that the roads - because of indiscipline of the drivers, we should have clear demarcations for the four lanes in this country - no longer two, but four because as we can see, the roads are now a death trap. People died at the same time on Masaka road, people died on Gulu road and more people are dying on other roads. Rest in peace, Hon. Okabe. May I request that we focus on road safety as we talk about malaria and other diseases in this country. Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Tororo and the Iteso Cultural Union (ICU) in general since I represent it in Tororo Parliamentary Group, I want to thank all Members for the support they have given to us. What Hon. Okabe has done speaks for itself. They say, Res Ipsa Loquitur. Indeed, even the ICU Council is now preparing to receive him and many other people are lining up because of the good works that Hon. Okabe did. As the TPG in the 10 th Parliament, Hon. Okabe started the saving model. By the time we closed for primaries, he invited all of us to his office and gave us our savings, which were huge. It supported us in our primaries. No wonder, many of us were able to come back.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Tororo, West Budama Central in particular, and Bukedi subregion, we extend our sincere condolences and sympathies to the family of the late Justice Opio Aweri. He worked in Tororo as Magistrate Grade I. He went to school with one of my cousins, George Oburu Akwoyo, who also retired. He was a judge whom I came to know while he was still a chief magistrate. I went to school with his son and we developed a relationship from Law school. We were privileged, together with Hon. Medard Sseggona, to share – (Interjections) - I do not know about Hon. Medard Sseggona’s father, but I know about mine, who was not a judicial officer. (Laughter) In fact, my father died the day I arrived in Law school. So, there was no way I could have met His Worship George Obong. I was a son of an old man, who died before I started school. I was privileged, indeed, to meet the son of a chief magistrate - the first person I met. To me, that was high-ranking. We sat together and George took me to their home in Kamwokya. I liked mzee’s humility. The good things you see in me – Hon. Medard Sseggona knows - I copied from him. The bad ones are from Hon. Medard Sseggona. (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. On behalf of the people of Tororo, and on my own behalf, I convey our condolences to the family and to the people of Dokolo. I know my sister is close to one of the sons who is a renowned surveyor. When initially there was a rumour of his death, she is actually the one who confirmed that he had not passed on, after calling the son. Madam Speaker, it is important for people to rise through the ranks to the top in such technical areas as the Judiciary. And you can see he has mentored so many, as a result. Madam Speaker, because of his love for the environment, he had to undertake a master’s degree in environmental law. In one of his presentations, he did say that man cannot survive without the environment. And because the environment is important to mankind, we have to use the law to protect it. Little wonder that in cases that were before him, where there were clear facts, he always ruled in favour of those cases. Madam Speaker, one of the things that he did say in the case of Butamira Forest, was that we all have a right to a healthy environment; but the right to health does not only stop at physical health. He said that courts of law should be slow in awarding costs in matters of public interest. I hope that this can be taken seriously. When we have such cases of public interest before courts, costs should not be awarded so that it can encourage others to go to courts of – (Member timed out.)

6603 THE ELEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 6 DECEMBER 2022 Undertook physical visits and inspections. Mr Speaker, the methodology is indicated in the report. I will now focus on the committee’s findings, observations, and recommendations. The observation in this report is made on the various prayers that I have just explained above in the electricity sector of West Nile. They are matched as practically possible to the prayers made by the movers of the motion. Consequently, observations were made on Electro-Maxx Uganda Limited and WENRECO. We made recommendations on Nyagak III, the transmission infrastructure projects, and other incidental matters. Background to the power supply in West Nile In meetings we held with key stakeholders in West Nile, the committee was informed that WENRECO took over the operations and infrastructure originally owned and operated by the Uganda Electricity Board in a concessional agreement that became operational in 2003. WENRECO inherited a generating facility that was producing 1.5 Megawatts of electricity from heavy fuel oils and serving less than 1,000 customers for approximately four hours per day. WENRECO decommissioned the generators after the commissioning and coming on board Nyagak I in September 2012, which has an installed capacity of 3.5 Megawatts. Due to the increase in demand, Nyagak I was unable to meet demand in West Nile. This consequently led the Government of Uganda to enter into an agreement with Electro-Maxx to relocate and install an additional 8.2 Megawatts diesel facility from Tororo to Arua to complement generation from WENRECO. Currently, West Nile has an overall installed capacity of 11.78 Megawatts of electricity, that is, 3.5 Megawatts from Nyagak I, which is a hydro-power plant, and 8.28 Megawatts from Electro-Maxx, which is a thermal generating facility. However, the committee was informed that although Electro-Maxx had a licensed capacity of 8.28 Megawatts, the tested capacity was 6.5 Megawatts while the highest ever produced capacity was three Megawatts. The committee was informed that peak demand for West Nile is six Megawatts and suppressed demand is estimated at five Megawatts. The committee observed that as per the reported installed capacity from Nyagak I and Electro-Maxx, Arua should be having sufficient capacity to meet its current and suppressed demand. However, this is not the case as load- shedding and outages remain rampant in the region. 4.2 Actual total electricity supply in West Nile The committee extracted generation figures from ERA’s Comprehensive Electricity Supply Industry Database. The database gives figures from WENRECO’s actual generation per quarter and what it buys from Electro-Maxx for the period 2015-2019 as reflected in the table below. Computations were made to obtain the average power produced in Megawatts and I want to refer you to the shaded columns in the report, that is, the last three columns, which is not reflected on the screen. You will see what we have computed to be the actual generation in Megawatts. You will also see the WENRECO generation in Megawatts; 2.32. 2.55, 2.18 etcetera. Similarly, for Electro-Maxx, which is meant to generate 1.28 Megawatts, you can see what they are generating – 1.09 Megawatts, 0.56 Megawatts, 0.78 Megawatts etcetera. From the table, you can see that both Electro-Maxx and WENRECO are generating below the capacity that was agreed upon. From the table above and figure one that you will see subsequently, the committee observed that the total generation for West Nile from the two generators - WENRECO and Electro- Maxx - for the period 2015–2021 ranges from 1.07 Megawatts, the lowest value reported in

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank my senior colleague for raising this issue concerning Kasese. I also had a one-on-one with him yesterday on this same issue. We know very well that Kasese is one of the most vulnerable districts in the country with disaster issues. Madam Speaker, you gave me a directive last week to respond to Tororo, Ibanda and Kasese. The team has already done its assessment and we are preparing to send food to these three districts as you directed. The issue of the land is very serious. The alarm was raised and the Office of the IGG is handling it. It is also very unfortunate that someone has gone ahead to put landmarks on this land, yet it has a contentious issue yet to be resolved. Nonetheless, it is being handled by the IGG and the staff who handled the administrative issues. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just want to add to what the honourable member has just said; that the same issue happened in Sebei region. We heard in the news last year around October, that Government had come up with a policy to phase out PTCs. Sebei had only one PTC and that is Kapchorwa Primary Teachers College. It is a shock to the entire region that even after phasing out, the five core PTCs, which remain in the eastern region include one in Mbale, Tororo, Bukedi Subregion and two in Teso; there is only one in Moroto. From Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo to reach a nearest core PTC is about 250 kilometres. Mr Speaker, my prayers are that Government upgrades Kapchorwa PTC into a core PTC. Thank you.

6430 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DR PAUL KAWANGA SSEMWOGERERE Action taken With regard to the reinstatement of local defence forces between April and June 2022, the UPDF deliberately trained and passed out 14,440 local defence forces that are deployed in Karamoja and the neighbouring affected districts. Resolution No.3 That Government takes steps to immediately remove all armed herdsmen moving within the sub regions of Teso, Lango Acholi, Bugisu and Sebei and Karamoja including the armed Turkana, Tuposa and the Pokot. Action taken With the re-launch of the Usalama kwa wote Operations in July 2021, 631 guns were covered by May 2022, within the reporting period. Resolution No. 4 Government, with immediate effect and in accordance with Article 22 of the Constitution, re-launches and accelerates a comprehensive and sustained disarmament process in the Karamoja subregion to remove all illegal guns from civilians and raiders. Action taken Usalama kwa wote Operations were re- launched in July 2021 and is still ongoing to date. Resolution No.5 Government, within six months from the date of this resolution and in accordance with Article 22 of the Constitution, implements a mechanism to prevent the re-acquisition and proliferation of illegal guns within Karamoja subregion and from the neighbouring countries. Action taken Mr Speaker, on 6 April 2022, the Governments of Uganda and Kenya signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Defence and Security, particularly on combating cross- border animal rustling, small arms proliferation, as well as other transnational crimes. The UPDF, in collaboration with the local leadership, and their counterparts, especially across in Kenya, established a joint mechanism for prevention and curtailing arms proliferation and these include the formation of joint peace committees to provide a warning and resolve any emerging and existential cross-border security issues. In addition, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) maintain liaison officers on both sides of the border. The UPDF has deployed three officers in the Loki Chogiyo in Turkana County, Kachelipa in West Pokot County, and the Kapsokwan in Bungoma County in Kenya, while Kenya Defense Forces officers are in Moroto, Amudat and Tororo respectively. Similar initiatives are in the offing with the Government of South Sudan. Related to this, the reporting on the security and cattle rustling, I would like, with your permission, to invite the Minister for Agriculture, because he has an item on the same. I beg to report.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Bukedi has very many districts, including Tororo. It is followed by Acholi Subregion at 47 per cent - Yes, you people of Acholi are at 47 per cent. You have intimate violence. The Elgon Region is at 33 per cent, and South Buganda is the lowest at 8 per cent; so congratulations, South Buganda. Madam Speaker, I will not talk about Teso. The survey further revealed that 47 per cent of women face economic violence while sexual violence by non-partners from the age of 15 years stood at 55 per cent, with 14 per cent perpetrated by close relatives. Emotional violence stands at 55 per cent. According to the Uganda Annual Police Crime Report of 2021, a total of 16,242 cases of gender-based violence and violence against children were reported; 8,065 of those were cases of domestic violence; 6,838 were cases of defilement; 749 were cases of rape; 223

Honourable members, two minutes each. Let us avoid talking for long. However, as you heard, Bukedi was being misinterpreted as Bukedea. We should launch this in Budaka where the rate is so high - Tororo is part of Bukedi. Honourable members, let us look at how we plan to eliminate gender based violence; we need solutions. As legislators, let us not go into lamenting. Let us look at the solutions and how we are going to create awareness, how we are going to legislate to that effect, how we are going to budget to that effect. I wish I were you; when the Speaker is speaking, I would sit down. Fr Charles Onen - FR CHARLES ONEN (Independent, Laroo- Pece Division, Gulu City): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Gender based violence affects every fibre of society and whenever it takes place, it leaves incurable scars in the society. We need to come up with a law or a policy, which can help support the victims of violence. In most cases, perpetrators of violence are or were once victims of violence. We have seen the effects of violence in our community and in our societies; the rampant cases of child mothers, the rampant cases of suicide - Gulu District - for example, last month we lost a doctor due to domestic violence. A former councillor stabbed a medical doctor and killed him. It also happened in Kole District and other places. How are we going to help victims of violence? We need psychosocial support to be given to victims of violence. Thank you.

That is what is happening in Tororo South County. The affected subcounties are Kwapa, Kwapa Town Council, Apokor; the whole county. My prayers: i) Quick supply of relief food because everything has been lost. Many granaries were destroyed. Even whatever was in the gardens - everything is now a story that people will tell in the near future. So, we need a supply of food. ii) We need blankets and mosquito nets to rescue our people. We also need iron sheets. Those whose houses were destroyed need to be supported. iii) We need planting material. We need cassava stems to rescue these families immediately. Since it is raining, they can plant cassava now. We also need potato vines. We need planting seeds and tree seedlings so that we are able to increase the cover to support us in the near future. iv) We need restocking of animals. (Laughter) Tororo has been evaded for a long time. Madam Speaker, this is a call. We need restocking of animals since people’s animals died. Those are my prayers. How I wish the Rt Hon. Prime Minister, who is here, can respond to this quickly. Otherwise, people are gathered at my home expecting support, yet, there is nothing I can offer. The situation is very bad; very unprecedented and never seen before. I beg to submit.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. Like my colleague from Tororo, torrential rains have hit Mbarara District, particularly Kashari North, for the last two weeks, including hailstorms and strong winds resulting in floods. This has led to destruction of property in different parishes. The roof of Buyenje Primary School was blown off. Rubindi Town Council and Nyabisirira Town Council were flooded and a lot of property destroyed. Many roads and bridges have also been washed away. [Mr Olanya] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

Honourable Members, pursuant to Rule 129(1) of the Rules of Procedure, the Bill stands referred to the Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development and they are to consider and report back. Hon. Anyakun, can you come back? (Laughter) Honourable minister, are you supposed to be in Tororo or Mbarara? Kashari? We need a report back in this House. I wanted to communicate before you leave. Thank you. You can now go. (Laughter)

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

Thank you Madam Speaker. I also join my colleagues in supporting the motion. I thank the Comboni Missionaries for identifying one of their best; Fr Ambrosoli and sending him to serve us here in Uganda and Northern Uganda in particular. All of us knew Kalongo Hospital when we were young. People from Tororo went to Kalongo Hospital and whenever they talked about Kalongo, we all knew that you automatically got healed the moment you got there. Therefore, what Fr Ambrosoli was doing is something that must be commended, on a very serious note. However, the north has also had people who have really served to the best of their ability for the good of humanity. You will also recall Fr Lucia, who served very committedly in the north. There are a number of others. I want to say that the Comboni Missionaries, like other Catholic missionaries, have supported us in education, health facilities, and Madam Speaker, as you said, they have done a commendable job. How I wish we continued to see that partnership thrives further for other support. The ambassador was here, but he has left. Your Excellency, let us continue to partner and get more of these very brilliant people in Italy to come and support us so that we continue to enjoy this good work that the Lord has blessed you with. I say all this – (Member timed out.)

6127 THE E L E V E N TH PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA TUESDAY, 8 N OVEMBER 2022 THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE, ANIMAL INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES (ANIMAL INDUSTRY) (Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama): Madam Speaker, on behalf of Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, I wish to respond to the questions raised about the status and the actions of Government in controlling animal disease, specifically the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). We have uploaded this report on the intranet. We have an introduction where we are talking about how FMD affects animals and its economic consequences, and how it is spread. I wish to state the status. From January to October 2022, 22 districts reported FMD outbreaks. These include Adjumani, Amuru, Bukedea, Ibanda, Jinja, Kalungu, Kapchorwa, Kayunga, Kiruhura, Kween, Kyotera, Lyantonde, Masindi, Mpigi, Nakapiripirit, Nakasongola, Napak, Ntungamo, Sembabule and Tororo. It is also important to note that quarantine restrictions were lifted in 11 districts, which is 50 per cent of the affected districts since then. Action taken by the Government In Uganda, FMD prevention and control is achieved through animal movement control (quarantine restrictions) strategic/ring vaccination and awareness creation campaigns. With regard to vaccination, given its cost implication, the strategy adopted by the ministry is to conduct strategic/ring vaccination where an outbreak is reported. Ring vaccination entails vaccinating all the immediate herds surrounding the affected herd so that the disease can be contained and eventually, controlled without causing serious socio-economic consequences. Colleagues, the success of ring vaccination hinges on the timely reporting of the diseases. It is, therefore, important that disease outbreaks are reported as early as possible so that measures of prevention can be instituted in a timely manner and cost effectively since only surrounding herds will be vaccinated to prevent the spread of disease to other areas. We have insisted on this strategy because we do not get enough doses to vaccinate the national herd. You must be aware that Uganda has almost 17 million herds of cattle, 17.4 million herds of goats, five million sheep, 4.5 million pigs and all these are susceptible animals to FMD. Due to limited resources, we came up with this strategy. When it is reported early, this strategy works but we are looking forward to when we have enough resources to make sure that we do it and cover the entire national herd. Currently, a combination of animal movement regulations through quarantine restriction and ring vaccination remains the most appropriate approach for FMD control in Uganda. Colleagues, the following actions have been undertaken to contain the current FMD outbreak in these affected areas. These include: i) Institution of quarantine restriction at the subcounty level and areas within the 20-kilometre radius to prevent the spread of disease. This involves the prohibition of the movement of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, their products and by-products from, to, through and within affected areas. Livestock markets, slaughter places including butcheries and animal shows within the affected subcounties were also closed. This is premised on the “prevention is better than cure” adage; ii) The ministry plans to vaccinate the susceptible livestock in the affected 22 districts listed above with 930,200 doses of FMD vaccine expected in the country this week on 10 November 2022. The next consignment, which is 1.6 million doses is expected in the country in two months’ time. You must observe that this is not adequate but once deployed effectively, it does prevent FMD to some extent;

Your muko - Hon. Atkins, I know you do not only go to Kasese. What about when you go to Tororo? Do you get roadblocks? (Laughter)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the honourable colleague for raising this issue and I also thank my honourable senior colleague. The honourable member from Butaleja is right. In our statistics here, Butaleja has the highest number of malaria cases, but the deaths he has reported are higher than what we have – unless people are dying in homes. However, for those who die in health centres, we always record. Since this year started, I remember in May, we raised a red flag over the upsurge of malaria cases in many districts. It has come down though, from 65 per cent to about 30 per cent. The places, which are really badly hit are Bukedi, Teso, Lango, Busoga, Karamoja and Acholi. When we raised the red flag, it was in western Uganda, especially Ankole and Toro. Right now, we have Budaka, Busia, Butaleja, Butebo, Kibuku, Pallisa and Tororo – but Butaleja has the highest number of cases. Nonetheless, the National Medical Stores has been going around, giving out mosquito nets. Also, the ministry - together with partners – has been putting out a lot of adverts for people to sleep under mosquito nets and to close their houses a little early so that we can, together, fight this malaria. Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Respect, Mr Speaker. (Laughter) Thank you. I rise on a matter of national importance, concerning the cracks – I should not be named “the landslides person”, but I have about three National Water and Sewerage Corporation collection centres in my constituency and in the district, and that is Sono Treatment Plant, Laaso and another one at Lilima. These collection tanks feed four districts with water, knowing very well the adage that water is life. The four districts are Namisindwa, Tororo, Manafwa and Mbale. I rise because of the cracks around these collection tanks, especially that of Sono Treatment Plant. The multibillion uptake tank is completely cracked as a result of the landslides. Therefore, my prayer is to the ministry to move these tanks about two kilometres away because they have cracks. That will be pitting the population – the hundreds of thousands of people – in the four districts from taking this water. My prayer is to the ministry, specifically in charge of water and environment, to assist the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, which is a very good institution doing its work, but may not have enough money, to move these tanks away from where they currently are. Thank you.

Mr Speaker, you are the right person to give us clarification. The reason I am rising on the point of clarification, not procedure is that every year we receive ministerial policy statements and study them. We know that the Ministry of Relief and Disaster Preparedness is one of the ministries that are a matter of concern, and Parliament normally appropriates money for that ministry. Also I am aware that there is a provision for a Contingency Fund for extreme crises that cannot be anticipated. So, for us to massage problems and ask the Prime Minister to come and give us a general statement is unfair. The Prime Minister coming here to give us a statement in generality without specifically addressing decisions that have been taken by Parliament before; how the money has been used and why the disaster-prone issues continue to reoccur yet we have put in place preventive and curative mechanisms; we want to know. The Prime Minister must come and first tell us; what is it that they have done, which we have already prescribed as Parliament. Then, they can come with holistic policies, which we can discuss. I have been to Tororo and I was really surprised to see people there still selling charcoal yet we are in a disastrous situation. People are cutting trees and there is nothing that Government is doing. Things are happening, and people are doing nothing. Mr Speaker, I am seeking clarification.

One of the core mandate of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces is to help. It is a constitutional obligation. Mr Speaker, you are right on asking the Prime Minister to give the information relating to that. However, the reason I rise up is that I happen, by God’s grace, to come from Tororo. Hon. Cecilia Ogwal has put on the record of this Parliament that we are charcoal sellers. The environmental issues of this country are a concern to everyone. I want to give information that you might find where there is a butcher yet they do not even rear cattle. Just like you would find where they are selling charcoal, but it’s being traded from Lira or Dokolo. So, I just wanted to give that clarification. (Laughter)

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

Thank you, Mr Speaker. This Bill is overdue. We all move around the world, and see what we go to see. In Uganda, many sites are getting destroyed. This is a strategic sector that will bring revenue to the country. We made the law under the Public Finance Act for a single treasury operation. However, I have seen weaknesses; we may need to allow this institution to retain some of the revenue to develop this site. Mr Speaker, in Tororo, we are very happy that we have a war memorial site under World War II. All the soldiers who went to fight in Burma, Europe and so forth, gathered in Tororo and then were transported, but their remains were brought back. Therefore, when we talk about “compensation”, it is not mandatory that all sites belong to the public; we need to handle that clause, because some of these sites are for the Government. We might allow people to now take control of Government sites and claim for money; that clause needs to be handled properly. For example, Tororo Rock, that is public property; we want it to be declared so and many other sites in the country. I am going to preserve the structure of my grandfather and the graves of my great grandfather because my grandfather was among the first richest men in Tororo to own cars; so these are the sites that we need to preserve for the next generation.

Mr Chairperson, I thought that the minister would be very appreciative of the amendment proposed by the committee because they are including other Government ministries, departments and agencies, but leaving out very important stakeholders. You will not go to Tororo, Jinja or Bushenyi to do things without these very important stakeholders. So, the committee chairperson is helping us. I beg that you reconsider your position, honourable minister.

Thank you very much, Mr Chairperson. I want to plead with you; I am coming from a totally different angle. We need to make a law that will allow business to flow. If you create too much bureaucracy, it will spill into a crisis. For example, in Tororo, to allow a project to take place – one time, it took more than six years because the council had to sit and make a decision. Money was budgeted - and this will happen in many districts - you have an investor, you want a place declared - you are creating too much bureaucracy. Therefore, I really request you, Mr Chairperson, you will have – like for us in Tororo, the Jopadhola will refuse, we the elders will refuse and there will be a standstill! The same may happen in Bushenyi and other places. Therefore, Mr Chairperson, this law is under tourism for purpose of promoting business. Let us make a law that will facilitate business to enable the country to move forward.

Thank you. From your submission, it seems Tororo is not providing a good example. (Laughter) Yes, Attorney-General.

Mr Speaker, I appreciate the concerns of Hon. Aleper. It is true, the Muyembe-Nakapiripirit Road is under construction. Yes, I expect people to want quick fixes, but when you are doing a road of that nature – and terrain, especially around Ngenge area – you have to take a lot of time to ensure that you stabilise the road. Therefore, the contractor is still doing the drainage first. That is why he has constructed most of the box culverts and he is left with about two box culverts only. He has laid the hard core to stabilise the ground. I call for patience so that we don’t rush him to do a shoddy job. I want him to do a job which will last for years because that road, apart from human traffic, is the road which brings marble and raw materials for the industries in Tororo and Mbale. Therefore, we are very careful not to rush the contractor to do a poor job. Thank you.

Honourable members, Hon. Sarah is the Woman Member of Parliament for Tororo, not Kasese District.

2440 STATEMENT ON FUEL CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY In view of the above, therefore, the high petrol pump prices of petroleum products are caused by product scarcity and once supply returns to normal, prices will stabilise. On one hand, margins of the oil marketing companies have stagnated in their efforts to keep them competitive. In addition, their return on capital employed has lowered as a result of using more money to trade in the same volumes. On the other hand, consumers have increased expenditure on petrol in conducting their daily businesses. This has, in turn, increased private transportation costs, which further impacts negatively on our travellers. Pump prices per litre for Eldoret and Kisumu in Kenya are Kshs 130.13 for petrol and Kshs.101.32 for diesel. At the exchange rate of Shs 34 per 1 Kshs, it comes to Shs 4,424 and Shs 3,785 for the two products, respectively. This implies that on average, the prevailing petroleum prices in Uganda are Shs 576 above those in Kenya due to scarcity. Eldoret and Kisumu have been used because they are the main trading terminals for Uganda’s products. From this analysis, it is evident that competition when supply is normal in the downstream petroleum subsector in Uganda has taken root and thereby, rendering the intended benefits to the population. Once supply constraints at the border are addressed, prices of all products will return to normal and competitive for the benefit of all customers. Other constraints We still have problems of supply as a result of constraints at the border clearance, thereby forcing some oil marketing companies to buy at retail prices and further retail. This has resulted in increased pump prices and declining margins for companies and dealers. This increase in pump prices ultimately increases the cost of living. Once clearance at the borders is addressed, supply, together with the pump prices, should return to normal. We are saying that they will return to normal by this month. My ministry continues to engage with the Uganda Revenue Authority on this matter. Some people say it is because of the high taxes. Actions taken In order to expedite the clearing processes at both the Busia and Malaba border entry points, the Ministry of Works and Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives went to the border with some of our representatives. Some rules were immediately instituted: a) The testing for COVID-19 for truck drivers has been halted until further notice. These abrupt decisions can cause problems. b) I have directed SICPA-SA, the company undertaking fuel marking at entry points, to have their services available on a 24- hour basis at the two border points, with effect from 24 January 2022. c) As a Government, we plan to put in place a priority route with one special clearance point at the border and work with URA and have trucks use the newly constructed road from the Busia Border to Lumino- Musita-Jinja Road. Instead of following the one going towards Tororo, there is a new one now coming that joins the Jinja Road. d) There is need for bilateral talks, which we have already initiated with the Kenyan authorities on issues pertaining college allocation, prioritising export market among others. We are telling them to give us enough fuel all the time. Not to waste our time and cause delays. e) Building capacity of various players in the petroleum supply chain to form associations for better communication with ministries, governments in addition to having regular meetings with various players in the value chain.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the minister for his good submission, concerning the long line of trailers on the border which, in his statement, he said, has cleared. Hon. Minister, you are living in another country. In Busia, as I talk now, we have three lanes of trailers, and they stretch up to Busitema checkpoint. Right now, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, is in Busia. Madam Speaker, we face the problem of ministers coming to our constituencies, where we were elected with massive support, without telling us. Rt Hon. Prime Minister, we need you to help us because the only job we can do is to represent our people and talk. However, the ministers meet civil servants who tell them what they want and bring that as a report in the Cabinet. I do not know how you will help us solve this problem. Nonetheless, Gen. David Muhoozi, the Minister of Internal Affairs, is in Busia right now because Tororo Road has trailers stretching almost up to Mawero. Majanji Road has trailers almost up to Madibira; Custom Road has four lanes –(Interjection)- I am a born again Christian. Jinja Road also has trailers. In case the Minister of State for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives wants to prove this, I refer her to the RDC and Minister of Internal Affairs who is in Busia now.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I thank the honourable member for raising the matter about the nature of the road between Tororo and Mbale and we condole with the families that have lost their dear ones. I will relay information to the Minister of Works and Transport to come and brief this House on the plans to rehabilitate that section of the road - (Interruption)

The problem is that the road is very narrow and maybe in the next design they have to expand the road. There is a contractor that has been given that road and is supposed to work on the road from Tororo to Lira. As we have agreed, you give information to the minister to that effect, and then the road should be handled.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I rise on a matter of national importance. We have got a section of the road from Tororo to Mbale, which has become a death point; the section between Busiu and Bumageni Barracks. We raised this matter at one time and the minister visited. A report was made and the UNRA was instructed - as a short-term measure - to build speed-limiting humps such that we do not lose lives but up to now, nothing has happened. Just to illustrate the magnitude of this matter, on 20 January this year, a fuel tanker crashed and got burnt, killing four people on the scene and two other people were crashed by other rescuing vehicles. In August 2021, a speeding truck hit and killed six people. Madam Speaker, in the same period, another cement-carrying truck from Tororo, killed five people from one family. Just to cut it short, in 2017, a cement-carrying vehicle killed 22 people in minibuses. Therefore, I bring this matter to this House, with this prayer; that the Minister of Transport hastily rescues my people by constructing humps on that road. Secondly, the road is being redesigned. It is my prayer that they include a flyover on the road that comes from Butaleja to Nabumali, as that is the biggest spot of the accidents. I thank you, Madam Speaker.

I thank hon. David Bahati, the Minister of Trade. Whereas his statement has some degree of accuracy, the situation in Malaba and Busia border posts cannot be handled just by a statement because the customs entry points of Malaba and Busia were built in the 1960’s for a capacity of 200 trucks in a week; they have one entry and one exit. Currently, Uganda cargo transits across Malaba are 200 trailers a day and they might be more or less in Busia and Malaba but you have one desk of the revenue authority, one desk of immigration and one cargo scanning system. I stated here last week that the two heads of state engaged each other when the cargo on the Tororo side was in Busitema; the other side was about the same number of kilometres. Madam Speaker, if you are travelling to Kenya or there is a Kenyan guest travelling and there is an emergency - even in case of a fire, there is no way of evacuating. Those trailers are carrying fuel – which is dangerous - and other goods. Uganda Revenue Authority and-

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.