UGANDA NOW OFFICIALLY BANS FEMALE CIRCUMCISION AND ANY OFFENDER CAN BE IMPRISONED FOR LIFE.

Writes Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

UGANDA Parliament on Thursday last week passed a controversial Bill prohibiting female genital mutilation {FGM}.

According to the SUNDAY VISION, the Bill now criminalizes the practice, prosecutes offenders and protects the victims.

FGM is the removal of the external female genitalia. A person found guilty of aggravated FGM will now be liable to life imprisonment.

According to the Bill, a person commits aggravated FGM where death occurs, the victim is disabled, or is infected with HIV/AIDS.

A person who carries FGM shall be liable to imprisonment for 10 years. People who aid the process shall be jailed for five years.

The Bill now awaits to be signed by President Museveni to become law.

Ends

leooderaomolo@yahoo.com