Parliament opts to make a decision on the Sovereignty Bill

Added: 2026-05-12

[00:01:41][music] Soul Television Funo Honorable members, this supplementary schedule is of an urgency.

[00:02:53]I remember Dr. uh kea raised an issue on the election of LOC's and the shed was there but we did not have the minister then to come and present we have issues like payment of areas for local governments staff we have issues like preparation of AFCON they are all in this the supplementary schedule. And because of this agency, I want to request the house that we consider this supplementary and pursuant to rule one of the rules of procedure.

[00:03:44]I will invite the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to move a motion to that effect.

[00:03:58]And then after moving a motion to that effect, we will now request to someone to move a motion on suspension of this bill going to the committee. Yes.

[00:04:15]Honorable >> right honorable speaker thank you very much I was and I am concerned that you're inviting somebody called minister of finance I have read the twitter hand of my brother the president of the republic of Uganda uh his excellency Joel Kagutam 7 says today I chaired final cabinet meeting of the outgoing cab movement and later hosted members to a lunchon in appreciation of their dedicated service to the country. This is the cabinet that ushered in Uganda into middle income status and I thank everyone who contributed to this achievement including cabinet secretaries for effectively managing. Now these people having had their final supper yesterday actually last evening and the president saw them off wishing them well and now we are here still have claiming we have ministers.

[00:05:25]Do we have a cabinet? Guide me madam speaker. The own of the cabinet dissolved. First of all, that is not a treat from your brother.

[00:05:35]That treat is not from the president of Republic of Uganda.

[00:05:42]And being one of the best lawyers in town, the best lawyers in town, you know, when cabinet stops, you're now talking about the treat. I didn't know that even a senior advocate would believe in he say because the law is very clear their term of office ends on the day the president is being sworn in that is on 12th that's when you can also be appointed as a minister of concession affairs no that was just a treat. It is not from the president.

[00:06:27]Yes, Nathan.

[00:06:30]>> Thank you, Madame Speaker.

[00:06:33]When you talk of a supplementary, we came in here during our campaigns. We passed a supplementary for Minister of Works 1.6 trillion.

[00:06:44]When we met them, they had only got a pantry of 500 billion. The roads are in a bad state all over the country. So what does a supplementary mean? I thought it would be money directly to go into their roads. The money never reached them. So there's no use of passing a supplementary when the money cannot go the beneficiaries. It's just like >> so we should not have election for LOC ones, LOC 2.

[00:07:11]>> No, how sure that the money will go there?

[00:07:14]We want to be assurances.

[00:07:18]>> You would rather give directions but have roads repaired. That's why we pass all of us.

[00:07:24]>> Why didn't you say we would not would rather not have your elections as a member of parliament?

[00:07:30]>> You could have even postponed. I wouldn't mind.

[00:07:36]>> What we are after is Uganda having road that bus.

[00:07:42]>> Nathan, you're saying like that because you escaped otherwise somebody was going to whip you. Next item. Next item.

[00:07:52]Next item.

[00:08:01]Right honorable speaker and colleagues, I beg to lay on table the supplementary schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026 amounting to Uganda shillings 1 trillion 105 billion 163 million.

[00:08:34]>> I beg to move.

[00:08:36]>> I beg to lay your right honorable speaker.

[00:08:38]>> Thank you.

[00:08:40]That is under rule 160 step sub rule one of the rules of procedia. Seconded.

[00:08:49]Seconded by Isaac, by Peter, by byesu, by honorable Bahhati, by honorable, by the holocide, Abbe, Lenos, Ibanda, Kisa, Gabrielle, Eric, Mariam, Meo, Elijah, Max, a call or Aru or Court Center I am Amura or Fox Tom Kino by the majority Honorable members, please enter in.

[00:10:49]Honorable members.

[00:10:52]Right honorable speaker and colleagues.

[00:10:59]Right honorable speaker and colleagues.

[00:11:04]The supplemental schedule number five was administratively presented to the office of the speaker on 29th of April 2006 and I have just also laid it on formally >> correction on 30th.

[00:11:37]>> Oh no, >> it was on 30th.

[00:11:50]Uh Madame Speaker, I wish to collect the date as 30th April 2026.

[00:12:02]And Madame Speaker, I wish to present the details of this schedule as follows.

[00:12:19]>> Uh, right honorable speaker.

[00:12:21]>> Yes, there's a pro matter.

[00:12:25]Madame Speaker, the minister as per the order paper and rules, he has laid the schedule, but he's also going ahead to do something the rules don't provide that he's explaining. I don't know under which rule the has been here long.

[00:12:49]The speaker suggested to you but being NRM you didn't even hear that if you want to proceed to the next stage you move parliament you don't just raise up as if you areing cows you have you have laid now you are justifying what are you justifying under which rule >> thank you thank you okay the the the do the supplement that has been delayed. Yes, honorable Fox motion. Madame Speaker, uh Madame Speaker, P want to rule 17 of the rules of procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. I beg to move that we the house be pleased to suspend rules 163, four and five of the rules of procedure to enable this honorable house to consider supplementary expenditure number five for the financial year 2025 2026 without prior referral to the budget committee. I beg to move Seconded seconded seconded by the prime minister of republic of Uganda the government chief we honorable bahhati honorable Musi honorable ini yu honorable by the by the holocide thank you can you justify Why you you're moving with that?

[00:14:34]>> Right honorable speaker, supplementary expenditure number five for the final financial year 2025 2026 makes provisions for critical areas of expenditure.

[00:14:49]Expenditure area number one is elections for local council one. Our democratization processes require that we carry out elections all the way to the lowest uh units of our administration. It's imperative that we provide resources to enable the people of Uganda exercise their democratic rights to elect their local council.

[00:15:17]One. Number two, it provides for AFCON.

[00:15:23]This is one of our flagship projects. We bided for AFCON to we bided to host AFCON with other East African states. We need to make provisions for that item.

[00:15:35]It also provides for the swearing in ceremony of the president of the Republic of Uganda.

[00:15:42]This is a culmination of the hard and efforts of the people of Uganda who elected their president. We have to provide for the swearing in ceremony.

[00:15:54]Thastly, it provides for salary areas. The people who work for the Republic of Uganda have to be paid and as a parliament, we have to make provisions for the payment of salary areas. I request honorable colleagues that you support uh the supplementary expenditure number five of 2025 2026.

[00:16:26]Yes, you can you can debate. It has no problem.

[00:16:33]>> Thank you, Right Honorable Speaker.

[00:16:38]uh the reasons given by uh both the minister and the honorable folky on the face of it sound reasonable.

[00:16:53]But let me question the commitment of our servants in government and those that make budgets.

[00:17:01]When we're making the when we're enacting the public finance management act, we put conditions for supplementaries.

[00:17:13]There are certain things which are foreseeable.

[00:17:17]Number one, who in government did not know that we shall have a swearing in ceremony for the presidentelect and that the functions surrounding that are funded from taxpayers money from the budget.

[00:17:36]Who did not know that the election of LC's are long overdue for us to be here stampeded into making provision for monies over items we knew?

[00:17:54]who did not know that there are servants serving the Republic of Uganda who are supposed to be paid from our coffers.

[00:18:06]How does someone the minister come here today to tell us that you want a supplementary to pay salaries less than a month to the next budget?

[00:18:16]>> Thank you.

[00:18:18]I minister before the minister Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:18:29]Right honorable speaker.

[00:18:32]Before I present the details of the supplementary, I want to appreciate honorable sea for his concerns for an item in the law section 24 of the public finance man management act is very clear.

[00:19:05]For an item to qualify for supplementally, it must have been unforeseen at the time of budgeting or unavoidable.

[00:19:18]Madame Speaker, without wasting much time, I want to be specific.

[00:19:24]Looking at an item of soing in It is true we foraw that there was going to be swearing in of the president on 12th of May and we provided the funding to that effect.

[00:19:47]But what has arisen what we provided and what is required is different. So what we are asking for is over and above what we provided at the time of budgeting which is allowable.

[00:20:04]Madam speaker >> it is basically 3 billion shillings.

[00:20:06]>> It is only 3 billion shillings. Madame speaker how I wish how I wish the house >> members can we have order.

[00:20:17]>> Madame speaker I now come to the details of this supplemental schedule. No, let let me hear from the shadow the shadow minister of finance.

[00:20:31]But in the meantime, >> in the meantime, we in the VIP gallery, we have a members elect 12th parliament.

[00:20:46]We have honorable Somaya number one nuka from you're most welcome.

[00:20:55]Stop that noo. Can you clap for my members?

[00:21:01]We have honorable Karun Anabar.

[00:21:07]We have honorable Tony West.

[00:21:13]We have honorable cottoia woman.

[00:21:19]We have honorable go Moses budaka county.

[00:21:24]We have honorable ariteia woman name we have honorable ar from bamba county.

[00:21:38]You're almost welcome.

[00:21:40]In the VIP gallery, also we have the former member of parliament and the secretary general of Uganda People's Congress, Honorable Bill Fred. They are all here to witness the proceedings.

[00:21:59]Yes, honorable Samo. I think madame speaker [clears throat] people who are seated next to my brother the honorable you will need to apply a speed meter right now we are still debating the motion to suspend the rules for the second third time he's going to elaborate on what is in the schedule and I want madame speaker to concentrate on the motion moved by the honorable foxi >> [clears throat] >> Appropriation is one of the key functions of parliament.

[00:22:39]If you look at section 12 of the public finance management act, we are required before we authorize government to spend money to look at their procurement plans to look at work plan and the cash flow.

[00:22:59]That is a matter of law that the honorable Fox you cannot suspend because that suspension means that you're also suspending the requirement under section 12 of the public finance management act.

[00:23:12]And the reason is that you are going to spend people's money.

[00:23:16]Their representative must look at the work plan, procurement plan and cash flow.

[00:23:24]I don't want to accuse you of also honorable folks honorable section 12 is on the annual budget.

[00:23:33]We are talking about a supplementary.

[00:23:37]>> I agree madame speaker supplementary is part of the budget because we are supplementing the budget not something else.

[00:23:46]So the the the [clears throat] point I I make madame speaker there is absolutely no way this parliament seated here will look at procurement plans. We will look at work plan and cash flow and then authorize government to go and spend money. The minister and I want to thank him. He said you already have money for the swearing in ceremony. You want more.

[00:24:11]That's the very reason why the public finance management act was made for us to look at the money that we gave you if it's not enough and we do that by looking at the procurement we look at the work plan and then authorize you but for you to come here and blindfold all MPs and say there is a swearing in ceremony because being in Har does not absolve you of the responsibility of following the law because you are in har so you are absolved you are not. So I want to hear the honorable fox lawyer telling us whether you can also suspend the requirements of the public finance management act. If there is a provision in any law allowing you to suspend the the the law then we can deal with the rules. So right I'll ask you later to speak as shadow finance minister. I am now debating like any ordinary MP and I am opposed to this motion of Fox Ooi that is taking away responsibility of parliament from scrutinizing requests from government.

[00:25:18]>> Honorable Foxi is always seeking for the house to allow him suspend and and and you know how this can be approved.

[00:25:32]We shall put a question. But meanwhile, Prime Min Vice President and Prime Minister, you're all welcome for this session as we also prepare for our last supper.

[00:25:51]Honorable members.

[00:25:55]Honorable members.

[00:25:58]Honorable members.

[00:26:01]I am putting a question that rule 16 sub rule three, four and five be suspended to enable direct consideration of the supplementary expenditures schedule. Number five for financial year 2025 2026 by the house without referral to the budget committee and relevant sec sector committees.

[00:26:32]Those in favor say the cont have it Honorable members, honorable members, I now put a question that the supplementary expenditure schedule number five for financial year 2025 2026 be approved by this house be Honorable members, we approving the the the schedule then we go to supply.

[00:27:43]Honorable members just a minute just a minute. He moved the motion. Honorable Mr. Move the motion.

[00:28:09]Ma moved the motion.

[00:28:12]I mean he read and then when he's going to justify it. So honorable minister after the suspension you justify.

[00:28:29]Can we first get a justification?

[00:28:33]No.

[00:28:36]Can we have a justification?

[00:28:44]Okay. My read the item on moving the motion.

[00:28:49]Uh, right honorable speaker and colleagues four of the public finance management act states that the total supplemental expenditure that requires additional resources over and above what is approved by parliament shall not exceed 3%. % of the total approved budget for that financial year without approval of parliament.

[00:29:27]Right honorable speaker and colleagues, you recall that parliament approved supplementally expenditure schedules number one 2 3 and four for financial year 2025 2026 as follows. Shedu one under 3% 1,652.29 billion. Shed 2 still under three schedule two for roads above 3% 1,696 billion.

[00:30:05]Three, supplementally schedule 3 above 3% 4,776.11 billion.

[00:30:15]Four, supplemental schedule 4 transfer to NFA budget following rationalization 22 billion totaling to 8,000 126.4 billion. Madame speaker, subsequently cabinet approved supplemental expenditure schedule number five as follows. Within 3% 519.002 002 billion above 3% 586.161 billion totaling to 1 1 trillion 105 billion163 million right honorable speaker this supplementary will be financed as follows one budget reallocation 40.21 billion additional tax revenue stroke roco revenue 6.25 25 billion.

[00:31:29]Additional external financing 72.90 billion.

[00:31:36]Reallocation efficiency in budget execution and cash management 985.80 billion. Madame Speaker, I now go into vote by vote.

[00:31:53]Madame Speaker, we will spend we will spend this supplementary under the following votes.

[00:32:03]>> Honorable members, honorable members, as you're near the switches, please don't switch over our light.

[00:32:11]Number one, vote 002, state house, Uganda shrinks 300 billion to cater for classified expenditures.

[00:32:24]Two vote 010 Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Uganda Shillings 3.8 billion to operationalize Capeeka Farm Service Center.

[00:32:42]Three, vote 144 Uganda Police Force Uganda shillings 110.41 41 billion to finance additional security interventions and emerging contractual obligations owing to the 2026 general elections.

[00:33:04]This ensured peace peaceful general elections as you should have all witnessed.

[00:33:12]Vote 017 Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development Uganda shieldings 24.850 billion for partial payment of for government acquisition of the electromax 50 megawatt power plant in Toro. This will enable government to commence the implementation of its energy policy mix that nestates a 10% generation capacity from thermal power. Vote 126 National Information Technologies Authority Uganda shillings 21.966 billion. This is additional financing for internet services under the national information technology authority.

[00:34:04]This situation arose out of increase in internet usage during the financial year by MDAs and local governments following implementation of last mile connectivity.

[00:34:20]Vote 142.

[00:34:22]National Agriculture Research Organization NARO Uganda shillings 20 billion. This is to cover operational shortfalls realized during the ongoing roll out of the antique vaccine.

[00:34:36]The shortfalls are for purchase of reagents, packaging materials and recruitment of additional staff.

[00:34:45]Vote 015.

[00:34:48]Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Uganda Shillings 37.90 billion for capitalization of Uganda Development Corporation as an additional investment in Ajak sugar factory.

[00:35:08]Uh the second category is self financing and budget neutral supplementary requests over and above 3% legal limit which require prior approval by cabinet and parliament of a total of 586.16 billion for supplemental expenditure schedule 5 that is above 3% legal limit.

[00:35:35]A total of 123.03 billion is self financing and that's budget neutral. The self financing stroke budget neutral supplementary includes the following reallocation of Uganda shillings 40.21 billion to cater for additional wage for recruitment of health workers under 19 referral hospitals.

[00:36:02]Honorable colleagues, there is need to allocate wage of Uganda shillings 40.21 billion currently budgeted for under ministry of health to 19 referral hospitals. This is required to cater for recruitment and absorption of critical health workers that were previously being being supported.

[00:36:29]workers that were previously supporting these hospitals before suspension of usage funding for essential health services. The beneficial referral hospitals are the following.

[00:36:44]Babika hospital, Aura hospital, Foripoto hospital, Guru hospital, Hima Hospital, Ginger Hospital, Cow Hospital, Masaka Hospital, Mar Hospital, Sor Hospital, Rela Hospital, Mara Regional Referral Hospital, Mubenda Regional Referral Hospital, Moroto Regional Referral Hospital, Nagru National Referral Hospital, Enion Referral Hospital, Morago Specialized Women and Neonato Hospital, Kaunga Referral Hospital and Yumb Referral Hospital.

[00:37:29]Number two, Uganda shrinkings 9.92 billion for various local governments which are also detailed in the annex one Uganda shillings 1.44 44 billion as unspent balances under the Uganda intergovernmental fiscal transfer program UG gift that were returned to the Uganda consolidated fund at the end of financial year 2024 2025.

[00:38:03]This funding is required to enable the local governments meet the outstanding contractual obligations under the program for this year. two Uganda shillings 2.22 billion for the Uganda support to municipal infrastructure development made project as unspent balances that were returned to the Uganda consolidated fund at the end of financial year 2024 2025.

[00:38:35]This funding is required to enable the local governments miss their contract obligations and avoid >> uh right honorable speaker when you began uh in your communication at the beginning of this session. You did say and I applauded you that even as we exit we must leave this parliament and the nation clean.

[00:39:03]having lost in our attempt to block this supplementary and pure as a Ugandan.

[00:39:13]I concede that we lost on that.

[00:39:17]What I do not concede to is that we have also lost the duty to scrutinize the documents with the background I have given and the need to do the job you have called upon us to do.

[00:39:35]May I move that you find pleasure in suspending the proceedings for at least 15 minutes for us to be able to access the documents and follow the proceedings properly so that we support what we know.

[00:39:51]>> Members, don't you have the report?

[00:39:53]>> We don't.

[00:39:54]>> You have the report.

[00:40:03]>> The document is online. when it was uploaded.

[00:40:07]>> Uh, you know, I gave all of you iPads and I know my dad here gave gave it to my little brother.

[00:40:19]So, actually gave my stepmother.

[00:40:23]So, so check what is on the iPad. Uh, can you continue?

[00:40:34]Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:40:37]Right honorable speaker.

[00:40:40]Uganda shillings 6.25 million.

[00:40:43]>> Honorable members, let's listen to this.

[00:40:47]These monies are going to hospitals. We are the ones who have been complaining hospitals don't have workers and and and we are and we are here you by the way.

[00:40:59]Let me first let me tell you if you think you're going to waste my time for us not to finish, we shall finish.

[00:41:09]We are here to finish. I know my sister is not used to finishing, but today she will finish. [cheering] Yes.

[00:41:22]>> Uh go ahead.

[00:41:28]This is too much. Uh Madame Speaker, >> order.

[00:41:36]>> Madame Speaker, under this category, we have 6.25 25 billion to cater for the additional local revenue collected by local government votes over and above their respective appropriated budget.

[00:42:00]>> By the way, I was joking on my sister.

[00:42:04]>> Yes.

[00:42:06]>> And madame speaker, the local governments are the following.

[00:42:12]Arua City, Ginger City.

[00:42:15]>> Can can you hear on your local governments?

[00:42:19]>> Madame speaker, the local governments with additional local revenue are the following.

[00:42:26]Aurua city, Ginger city, Ria city, Mar city, Apach municipal council, Aago district, Budaka district, Bjer district, Buhu district, Buri district, Busha district, Doro district, Ginga district, Kio district, Casesa district, Chiku district, Koboko district, Chagua district, Chenjo district, Chera district, Mara district, Mitoma district, Moroto district, Naka district, Nakaora district, Namiinda district, Oonga district, Parisa district, Randa district, Ruiz district, Rucha district, Sono district, Toro district among others.

[00:43:25]I can finish all >> madame speaker.

[00:43:34]We have we have also provided for Uganda shilling 72.9 billion as additional dispersment by the World Bank for generating growth opportunities and productivity for women enterprises grow project. The World Bank approved and dispersed additional funds for generating growth opportunities and productivity for women enterprises project. These funds have to be utilized or else the grant will be cancelled at the end of this financial year.

[00:44:12]Madame Speaker, I now come to the supplemental expenditures which are above 3% legal limit that require additional financing and the total is 463.15 billion and the particulars are as follows. Uganda shillings, Madame Speaker, Uganda sharings 56.95 billion for AOC1, AOC2 and women council committee elections countrywide as directed by cabinet.

[00:44:51]These funds are required to support the electoral commission to fully implement the election the electoral road map as already approved by cabinet.

[00:45:03]Number two, Uganda shillings 29.57 billion for AFCON 2027 preparatory activities.

[00:45:14]Honorable members, cabinet directed that we fully fund AFCON 2027 beginning with immediate requirement in this financial year 2025 2026.

[00:45:29]These funds are required to implement the urgent preparatory works, reduce implementation risk and keep the overall AFCON 2027 preparation program on schedule. The activities include the following.

[00:45:47]One, Uganda shillings 14.1 billion for preliminary works at Cabara International Airport.

[00:45:57]This one will go to ministry of works.

[00:46:00]Two, Uganda shillings 8.03 billion for priority road works and associated support activities in Chira Municipal Council.

[00:46:14]Three Uganda shillings 3.06 billion for pitch improvement at Kadiba football stadium. Four Uganda shillings 0.31 billion for branding of host cities and content production for the destination Uganda documentary.

[00:46:40]Five, Uganda shrinkings 1.17 billion for Hima city and mas municipality to finance sanitation and road safety interventions.

[00:46:52]Six, Uganda shrinkings 1.02 billion for meteorological and aviation safety support system.

[00:47:01]Seven, Uganda shrinkings 1.8 8 billion for water utility preparatory works for the Hoy MCA.

[00:47:11]Madame Speaker, we also require Uganda shrinkings 132.9 billion for outstanding obligations under Uganda police force. These obligations resulted from outstanding allowances and feeding expenses for special police constables hired during the general elections and contract obligations for procurement of the three 24 troop carriers.

[00:47:45]Two, Uganda shillings 23.21 21 billion as counterpart funding for wage to operationalize the newly constructed seed schools under the World Bank Uganda intergovernmental fiscal transfer you gift program and the details are provided in the annex five Uganda shillings 107.52 billion for wage pension and graduity shortfalls resulting from in-ear salary enhancement undertaken by the Ministry of Public Service.

[00:48:32]Six Uganda shillings 110 billion to cater for classified expenditures under vote 002 state house and seven Uganda shillings 3 billion to cater for budget shortfalls for the sailing in and inaugural ceremony of the presidentelect 2026 his excellency yel kabutam under vote 001 office of the president.

[00:49:07]Madame speaker, I had already earlier mentioned how this supplementary will be financed. I now conclude as follows.

[00:49:22]Honorable colleagues, given the critical nature of these expenditures requirements, I pray that you consider and pass this supplementaryally to enable government meet these requirements as we come to close of the financial year. and all of them cannot wait for the new financial year. I beg to move for the house's consideration.

[00:49:55]>> Thank you. Thank you, honorable Sams.

[00:50:00]Also in the VIP gallery, we have honorable Kitty Peter from to county buo. We have honorable Dai Kazora from Rohinda. You're most welcome. Thank you for coming.

[00:50:22]Yes, you've heard the supplementary that shadow.

[00:50:35]Thank you very much. Um, honorable speaker, first of all, from what the minister has read, in my opinion, nothing qualifies to be an emergency.

[00:50:58]But I want to begin by thanking NRM Whip for the good mobilization.

[00:51:06]There are colleagues I have not seen for more than a year.

[00:51:14]I want to thank them.

[00:51:15]>> Honorable members, all these members of parliament have been coming here. Unless you're telling me you've been half blind, leave my members of parliament. They have been coming to the house.

[00:51:29]Madame Speaker, I agree when we are processing the budget, all these seats were empty.

[00:51:39]But I want to thank them. Um I am only fearing because last time when SFC invaded us, they were standing like many of those NRM MPs in the corners.

[00:51:51]>> Honorable, >> can I now motion? Yes. Honorable I have told you the members of parliament I elected to be in this house. So when you say that you've not been seeing these members of parliament that is an insult to yourselves >> and I am sorry madame speaker I didn't mean to offend anyone but if there are colleagues who have come for voting madam you can ask them to excuse themselves some air these ones who are standing everywhere they will be notified that voting has started there's an order there's an order Right honorable speaker is my senior friend and brother Seuju in order to begin calling us SFC like you do not know us. You have been seeing us in this house and then you are there saying you want fresh air. So you are going to get out. I sit where you are seated because I'm respecting you to sit while you talk and I'm here. So the order is is is is SEU in order to begin calling us SFCs when he knows that we are members of parliament really and then you want fresh air you go out we sit where you sit but but honorable Samu for me I have enough fresh air if you're squeezed there just bring your seat next to me come and sit next to me because to the best of my knowledge this place is very high.

[00:53:31]The the the hair here is good enough for everybody and nobody who is standing here is NSFC.

[00:53:41]Why do you why do you >> I was just sympathetic if they don't care they can continue standing and I withdraw. I was just sympathetic to them.

[00:53:50]>> But the motion madame speaker [clears throat] we have just considered the budget in the budget. Madame speaker, this government did not provide 4 billion for the national development cultural development center to complete the new syllabus especially for our children in senior six who are going to sit for exams. They never had 4 billion in the budget we have just finished.

[00:54:24]They also denied UNEB 80 billion to train teachers who are going to mark senior six the first group that is going to sit under a new curriculum and in their mind they have money to organize a ceremony because the president can be sworn in when he captured power he was sworn in here at the staircases of parliament and the son rose and and said but you have children 100,000 they are going to sit for exams you did not find 2 billion for national government to complete their 34 subjects.

[00:55:00]You never gave UN 48 billion for them train teachers to go and mark these children and you have brought here money that we are going to have a ceremony just eating. I don't know what's wrong with NRM people. So so that you can deny our children an opportunity to study and then you bring money here for eating. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[00:55:26]Right honorable speaker.

[00:55:32]Thank you. Right honorable speaker.

[00:55:35]Right honorable speaker.

[00:55:38]Honorable Suju now wants to go to go beyond his appropriation law to now budget execution.

[00:55:50]Madame Speaker, in the budget we passed, all those votes he's mentioning were appropriated money for.

[00:56:01]>> Yes.

[00:56:02]>> And what is our members? Why are you shouting like we national? were appropriated for. But Madame Speaker, the common practice which all colleagues know that every vote comes to this house with unfunded priorities. So he's just taking us to the list of unfunded priorities which is a wish list. There is what you want and what we can provide and we are we are we we were satisfied that what pro we provided is sufficient to make the votes run through the year.

[00:56:37]If there is anything along the way that we didn't provide for if something occurs during implementation of the budget we shall now come back here and and ask for the money. Honorable members, it is this same government that brought the new curriculum and is the best interest of government to ensure that the new curriculum is implemented.

[00:57:08]Can I hear from the prime minister?

[00:57:15]Let me hear from Lo first before Madame Speaker, you see there's a reason why our laws are to a great extent very clear.

[00:57:39]The Public Finance Management Act provides for supplementaries.

[00:57:44]They are within the law but there's a coding there is a justification for supplementary budget unforeseeables I am struggling really struggling to understand how unforeseeable some of these things are in all honesty that we have got to do it in a haste. You said this is our last supper.

[00:58:12]Our last seating you said.

[00:58:14]>> So we are >> I did not say that.

[00:58:18]>> You used the words last supper. Madam speaker, I don't know what you meant, but you used it twice.

[00:58:27]Anyhow, Madame Speaker, we are closing down as parliament and we seem to be in a haste to appropriate money for what we are saying is unforeseeable. I I'm struggling to understand how unforeseeable some of these things are.

[00:58:41]We've talked about the inaugural ceremony. There is money for ATA right speaker 37.9 billion. We have been here and we have screamed our voices host about projects like there's another one day by farmer >> honorable I want you to listen on.

[00:59:00]>> Madame prime minister don't interrupt honorable he needs to listen to these critical issues.

[00:59:07]We have talked about day by farmer which was given free money 778 billion money was given to inspire Africa coffee factory in dungam 180 billion plus roco 260 billion shillings plus of course there's a specialized hospital which has become a white elephant we then talked about atak sugar factory so far 668 billion shillings over the years to attack sugar factory.

[00:59:39]It's a factory I went to visit with colleagues and there is no sugar coming out of there for the last couple of years but every year we keep appropriating money. Now we are even bringing money through a supplementary forak sugar factory. Help me understand who who is this attack person that we have got to keep giving them money billions of shillings on an annual basis that now it even has to come through supplementary that it is an emergency right this is free money you want to add them money for what >> I I don't understand >> thank you >> right speaker the classified that's indicated here within the 3% legal limit 300 billion Outside the 3% 110 billion that's a total of 410 billion shillings. Look every country will have a classified budget. But you see your classified budget has got to be tethered to your revenue. You cannot be a heavily indated poor country and you keep having trillions of classified budget. Now you have a supplementary for classified 410 billion shillings. a few days to the closure of government. What are you going to do in these few days for this classified of 410 billion chillings?

[01:00:57]Speaker, yes, our laws can be rules can be suspended and and all of that, but these things should make sense to the taxpayer. They should make sense. Now the taxpayer might try and understand you on the hospitals and so on and hopefully that money will go to the hospitals because many times we pass money for some of these things and it is fired. When you read the accountability reports you see money was transferred from this and taken to something else.

[01:01:22]So hopefully for the hospital money it gets to do that but help the taxpayer to understand this 410 classified budget billion for a few days government is closing down billions to a sugar factory that you've been giving money nothing is happening there I want to understand honorable speaker I I genuinely want to understand from prime minister and her team help me and the taxpayer whom you are going to squeeze a lot more you recently passed here more money, higher taxes on fuel and so on. So the taxpayer is paying for these things. Help the taxpayer to understand. We are waiting.

[01:01:59]>> Thank you. Thank you honorable honorable.

[01:02:10]Madame Speaker, I wish to clarify on the issue of uh on the issue of 3% and above 3%.

[01:02:31]Madame Speaker, this schedule I have justified it in three categories.

[01:02:40]We have expenditures which are within the 3% legal limit amounting to 519 billion. And here madame speaker we have already spent we have come here at sik for retrospective approval of the schedule and this is where a sugar falls in the 3% which we have already spent.

[01:03:08]Then we have a schedule that is budget neutral.

[01:03:13]Then we have this one which requires additional financing where we need authority of parliament to spend amounting to 300 no 586.16 billion. Madame Speaker, in as far as the details of what we are doing under Aak sugar is concerned, in the interest of synergy, I want to with your indulgence the ministry of trade can respond to the specific activities which >> Yes, Minister Uh thank you madame speaker and colleagues.

[01:04:07]As all of you know attack sugar factory is a project that is supported by government to transform the economy of northern Uganda.

[01:04:20]Many of you who come from northern Uganda know how important that project will be.

[01:04:30]Madame speaker, we have funded attack sugar factory to do a number of activities.

[01:04:40]One is irrigation and attack sugar factory is finishing up the irrigation system to help guard the changing weather so that there is proper production of the sugar cane.

[01:04:57]As we speak, Madame Speaker, I know members are very much concerned with when will the sugar from Attack Sugar Factory be put on the market. I have good news for you. I have good news for you. Attack Sugar Factory will start producing sugar uh in the month of September this year.

[01:05:25]The irrigation has ended. 2026 will have sugar. So we should be able to support this sugar factory so that we have the factory running in September 2026. I >> hear from the chairman of Asholi Parliamentary Group.

[01:05:55]Right. Right. Right honorable speaker.

[01:05:59]As a matter of truth, the the people of Uganda, including myself has been complaining a lot about attack sugar works.

[01:06:11]What Ugandans want to see is the sugar.

[01:06:15]But unfortunately the production started in attack sugar works.

[01:06:21]But the sugar cane that was planted got finished within a very short period.

[01:06:28]And therefore from that point I don't speaker can I get protection please?

[01:06:34]>> Members can you listen to honorable a call?

[01:06:40]Honorable call.

[01:06:42]Right honorable speaker from that point production stopped and was what what was resumed in the place was that at the time when we got the equipment for working on the garden there is a lot of plantation that has been taking place including irrigation.

[01:07:03]It is fortunate that some people among us here has reached the place. I personally visited at what I want us including myself who is also complaining we need to be patient now and wait for the production to start.

[01:07:20]I am I am I am happy that as a minister of trade they have taken more steps to make sure that the money which is given atak sugar some of the money will be paid back to the government including taking some of the property of attack sugar works and I must thank the minister for doing that uh very soon I think some of the property will become the property of offices of the members of parliament even here.

[01:07:54]So for that matter what I can assure you right honorable speaker is that there is a lot of progress and production is going to start. That is all I can say.

[01:08:03]Thank you.

[01:08:07]>> There's a procedure from Jonah >> Madame Speaker. Thank you. I'm raising a point of procedure.

[01:08:17]The motion by honorable Fox Odoi was carried in this house to the extent that instead of the minister being referred to the relevant committee now the committee of the whole house >> he's debating >> he's proceeding not debating he's proceeding to interrogate the minister and my question where I require you to guide at what point do you anticipate members of parliament to ask of the minister documents.

[01:08:52]At what point for example does the minister report to us that a resolution of this house where are you madam speaker you were preiding had identified loopholes in corporate governance in atyak government uh which is a majority shareholder has put way more money than what what the company should have done.

[01:09:15]At what point are we going to satisfy ourself that the figures attached and are being requested of us to approve has been answered by the minister even on the LC1 elections and LC2. It is not enough to come and say I need 66 billion for LC1 LC2. We need to see the list of all the villages attached so that every member here can be sure that in my village I will not go back