The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has asked government to present an action plan to put an end to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
In 2010, Parliament passed the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act, 2010 which prohibits and criminalizes FGM, the offences, prosecution and punishment of offenders and the protection of victims as well as girls and women under threat of female genital mutilation.
During the plenary, Kadaga said despite the existence of the law, government has not carried out any campaigns against the practice, leaving it to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).
She said in 2009, the President launched a campaign against FGM in Amudat district. However, since then, she has not witnessed or heard of any government programme against FGM.
“We learnt that there was an upsurge of FGM and no one could give an explanation. Despite the progress in ending FGM in Uganda, the communities on the Kenyan side have not yielded to the plea to end the practice.” said added.
Kadaga said she was recently in Bukwo district however was told that when surgeons in Sebei lay down their knives, their counterparts in Kenya continue the practice and Ugandans go there.
The Minister in-charge of General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mary Karooro Okurut said that government is committed to end FGM.
“This (FGM) is inhuman, it is unacceptable. It has been criminalized. I will present a plan of action from government,” said Karooro.