Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Uganda: FGM Bill to be Translated

November 10, 2010
The New Vision: Uganda's Leading Website
Rashid Muzungyo 

The law banning female genital mutilation is to be translated into kupsabiny language to increase awareness among the community in Sebei sub-region about the law. 

The translated version shall target the Sabiny communities in Bukwo, Kween and Kapchorwa, Bugiri and Tororo districts. 

President Yoweri Museveni early this year assented to the law following approval by Cabinet and Parliament. 

The project director of Reproductive Educative and Community Health (REACH), Beatrice Chelangat, disclosed that the translation process would start soon. 

She said the translation would be conducted alongside sensitisation seminars in the villages. 

Kapchorwa resident district commissioner Jane Frances Kuka recently directed REACH to start the translation before this year’s circumcision season begins. 

She is one of women activists who have been decampaigning the practice over the past two decades. 

Residents, however, reported that they were aware about the provisions of the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2010. 

In 2009, the Kapchorwa district council passed a bylaw banning female genital mutilation in the district.