News

Mutilation ban

December 12, 2009 Edition 1

KAMPALA: Uganda's parliament has approved a bill banning female genital mutilation.

Minister of Ethics and Integrity James Nsaba Buturo said the new law, passed without opposition on Thursday, could give offenders a life sentence.

Female genital mutilation, also known as female circumcision, is prevalent in portions of West and East Africa to limit women's sexual activity. More than 3 000 girls are affected each December in northeastern Uganda.

Female genital mutilation is illegal in more than a dozen African countries, although laws are rarely enforced.