Perpetrators of female genital mutilation in Uganda face up to seven years in jail if Parliament passes the Bill outlawing the practice in March next year, Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga said yesterday.

Ms Kadaga, who received an ordinance against FGM from Kapchorwa District leaders while officiating at the Sebei Cultural Day last week, said the practice inflicts physical and psychological scars on women.

“The district of Kapchorwa has already made a by-law criminalising it and they want the government to help them fight the dehumanising act,” she told a press conference at Parliament. She said the district needs Shs540 million to help stop the practice.

In Uganda, FGM is mainly carried out among the Sabiny tribe in Kapchorwa and Bukwo districts, and the Pokot in Nakapiripirit District. Other districts where groups that carry out the practice have settled include Isingiro, Kamuli, Kamwenge and Bugiri.