Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a serious human rights violation in Uganda, despite significant efforts to eradicate the practice.
The government, in collaboration with local and international organisations, has made strides in combating FGM. However, deeply entrenched cultural beliefs continue to pose challenges. While awareness campaigns and legal enforcement have led to notable progress, the fight against FGM is far from over.
Understanding FGM in Uganda
FGM refers to the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical reasons. The practice is deeply embedded in the traditions of certain Ugandan communities, particularly among the Sabiny in the eastern region and the Pokot in the NorthEast. It is often regarded as a rite of passage into womanhood, believed to enhance marriageability and uphold cultural purity.
Although Ugandan law prohibits the practice, it persists in some areas due to cultural and societal pressures. Girls as young as 10 years old are subjected to the procedure, often performed under unsafe conditions, leading to severe physical and psychological complications.
FGM is not solely a Ugandan issue but also a cross-border concern affecting certain communities in Kenya. Tribes such as the Maasai, Samburu, Pokot, Kuria, and Kisii continue to practise FGM, despite growing opposition. The persistence of FGM is driven by several deeply held beliefs:
- Many communities view FGM as a crucial rite of passage, signifying the transition from girlhood to womanhood.
- Some believe that uncut girls are undesirable for marriage, leading to familial pressure to conform.
- FGM is often perceived as a means to suppress female sexual urges and ensure fidelity, reinforcing patriarchal control over female sexuality.
Legal, governmental efforts
Uganda criminalised FGM under the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 2010, making the practice punishable by up to 10 years in prison, with life imprisonment for aggravated cases. The law has been instrumental in reducing the practice, leading to the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators.
Beyond legal measures, the Ugandan government has partnered with NGOs, religious leaders, and cultural elders to educate communities on the dangers of FGM. The Uganda Police Force, with support from local task forces, has intensified efforts to rescue girls at risk and prosecute those involved.
Rooting out FGM in rural Uganda
Priscilla Nangiro’s story is a powerful testament to change. Once an FGM survivor and practitioner, she is now an advocate working to eliminate the practice in her community. She is among 60 community activists working with a UN Women programme supported by the EU-UN Spo tlight Initiative.
Nangiro was only 13 when she underwent FGM, believing it was her initiation into adulthood.
“I bled the whole day, and my parents were worried. Other girls were also frightened when they saw my excessive bleeding. Some considered avoiding FGM, but their parents forced them into it,” she recalls.
Despite the pain, Nangiro endured the process and later became a practitioner herself, earning a supplementary income by performing FGM on other girls in Amudat County, Uganda.
According to a 2022 UN Women report, nearly 95 per cent of girls and women in her Pokot community have undergone FGM. The practice leads to severe health complications, including excessive bleeding, infection, chronic pain, childbirth complications, and, in extreme cases, death.
Although the 2010 law criminalised FGM in Uganda, the practice has continued underground. Communities now perform FGM in secret, often in unhygienic conditions, exacerbating health risks. Girls are taken to remote locations in small groups, and some seek medical treatment only after the procedure.
Community-led efforts to eradicate FGM
UN Women, in partnership with the Communication for Development Foundation Uganda (CDFU) and the Spotlight Initiative, is working to eliminate FGM in rural communities. The programme employs the SASA! methodology, a globally recognised model for changing harmful social norms through community engagement.
“UN Women and its partners use the SASA! Model to transform community mindsets. The programme integrates media, communications, and community dialogues to challenge the societal norms that sustain FGM. It also targets community elders, who serve as gatekeepers of tradition,” explains Evelyn Letiyo, a UN Women programme specialist in Uganda.
When Nangiro attended a SASA training session, she learned about the consequences of FGM for the first time. Realising the harm it caused, she decided to abandon the practice and focus on her business, selling indigenous Pokot clothing and accessories.
“Through education on harmful cultural practices like FGM, I have gained invaluable knowledge. I feel motivated in a way I never did before,” says Nangiro, who is now committed to eradicating FGM in her community.
The SASA! initiative encourages communities to examine gender power imbalances that underpin FGM and other forms of gender-based violence.
“CDFU has trained and is working with 60 community activists in Uganda under this programme (33 men and 27 women). These activists facilitate group dialogues and one-on-one discussions to shift community attitudes,” says Anne Gamurorwa, Executive Director of CDFU.
Nangiro is one such activist. She has also formed a drama group to educate her community about the dangers of FGM.
“I am now an agent of change, advocating against a painful and dehumanising practice. Initially, my community thought I was joking, but when I mobilised fellow members, we started a drama group to spread awareness,” she says.
When asked about the best solution, Nangiro is clear: “Ensuring girls’ education is the most effective way to eradicate FGM permanently.”
Cultural resistance, challenges
Despite legal bans, FGM persists due to deeply ingrained cultural beliefs. Many communities consider it a sacred tradition passed down for generations. Elders, fearing cultural erosion, often resist change.
Economic incentives also sustain the practice. Traditional circumcisers, who rely on FGM for income, oppose eradication efforts. Families fear social stigma if their daughters remain uncut, leading to secretive procedures.
Another challenge is cross-border FGM. Some Ugandan families take their daughters to neighbouring Kenya, where the procedure is performed clandestinely. This necessitates stronger regional cooperation between East African nations.
Silence surrounding FGM
Women who have undergone FGM often remain silent due to several factors:
- Social stigma – Speaking out may result in banishment and exclusion.
- Psychological trauma – Many survivors suffer deep emotional scars, making it difficult to discuss their experiences.
- Lack of awareness – Some women do not fully understand their rights or the harmful effects of FGM.
- Family pressure – Families discourage women from speaking out to avoid bringing shame upon them.
- Fear of retaliation – In some areas, anti-FGM advocates face threats or violence.
Medical perspective on FGM
The World Health Organisation (WHO) strongly condemns FGM, citing severe health risks and no medical benefits.
Dr Joel Lwasa, an obstetrician-gynaecologist at Kawempe Regional Referral Hospital, explains:
“FGM involves the removal of healthy genital tissue, disrupting natural bodily functions. It can lead to extreme pain, excessive bleeding, infection, urinary issues, and, in some cases, death.”
Long-term effects include chronic infections, menstrual complications, painful intercourse, and childbirth difficulties, increasing risks of obstetric fistula, stillbirth, and neonatal death.
Road ahead
Uganda has made commendable progress in reducing FGM, but the battle is not yet won. Strengthening law enforcement, increasing community engagement, and fostering regional collaboration are crucial to eradication efforts.
Cultural change takes time, but persistent education, economic empowerment, and survivor advocacy offer hope for an FGM-free future.
Uganda must continue to prioritise girls’ rights, ensuring every girl grows up free from harm, with dignity, and full control over her body and future.
