Legal Aid Service Provider's Network

In the wake of new cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Sebei sub-region, police have intensified operations to net the perpetrators of the vice.Seven people, including suspected FGM traditional surgeons, victims and their parents were last week rounded up in Matigot village, Kaptany Sub-county in Kapchorwa District.

The seven, who included four women and two men were arrested at 4am after police led by the district police commander Kapchorwa, Mr Richard Odokonyero, mounted a search in their homes. It is said the jailed women allegedly accepted to be mutilated as their husbands looked on.nGrade One magistrate Paul Kedi sentenced five of them to four years in jail whereas two pleaded not guilty and were remanded.

The five, pleaded guilty to two counts of procuring FGM, however, they told court that they mutilated themselves and were consequently sentenced for procuring, aiding and abetting FGM. The remanded suspects will reappear before the same court on December 3.“Because you pleaded guilty, you have not wasted the court’s time, this court is therefore sentencing you four years each,” said Mr Kedi. FGM is prohibited in Uganda after the FGM Act which was passed by President Museveni on March 17, 2010.
The law provides for criminalisation of FGM and other related activities, prosecution of persons who practice FMG and protection of victims of FGM