The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has vowed to continue the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) until the vice is totally eradicated from Uganda.
Kadaga was officiating at the Sabiny Cultural Day celebrations themed eradicating FGM and early girl-child marriages on Thursday, 30th November 2017 at Tumboboi Primary and Secondary School in Kapchorwa District.
The Speaker said she was aware that there was still resistance among some communities that practice FGM but re-emphasized her commitment towards fighting the practice.
“I know there is cross border FGM practice; some people come and get girls from Uganda and take them to the other side to circumcise them,” she said, further adding that,“I will meet with Deputy President, William Ruto, to discuss possible solutions of that issue on the other side of the border.”
Kadaga also commended the Grand Mothers’ Association for counselling those with FGM side effects and fighting the practice. She donated Shs 1m towards their SACCO. She also laid a foundation stone of a four-classroom block at the school and donated 150 iron sheets towards the project.
The UNFPA representative, Esther Cherop, said that there is a high prevalence of FGM in Uganda, currently at 14%.
“We want to work together with all stakeholders to see that FGM is totally eradicated in Uganda and we are grateful to the government and the Speaker of Parliament for their support,” she said.
