I took a trip Mbale which is eastern Uganda on 28th/ June with friends to visit an orphanage which is deep in one of the villages surrounded by mountains. One of these mountains turns out to be Mountain Elgon which is quite know. It was a long trip, probably the longest I have ever had on road. It was like 4 hours or so. The tribe from this region is known as the Bagishu. One of the many tribes in Uganda. Thats when I had a chance to get to know more about circumcision. Apparently its their tribal policy that a man must be circumcised after the age of 19. The policy is more of a rule and if any man tries to avoid it for any reason, his tribe mates will use force to circumcised! Recently there was a case of one Mujoroto ( 60 years old living in Kampala the capital city of Uganda) who happens of the Bagishu origin who tried to run away from the policy. Guess what happened? He was mugged and circumcised in the public! Now this is where my concern comes in. Isn't that humiliation? A 60 year old Mujoroto appears on the front page of New vision newspaper being mugged. And the next day with his pants down with blood all over his trousers? I mean this is sick. I will criticize this with or without permission. I know the whole culture and tribe thing, but then, this seems to be primitivism of the highest order. I was talking to one o the old people in Mbale and was asking him what his opinion was about this whole circumcision thing. He was not that open but I think he thinks there is a better way this can be done. I was suggesting that if it must go on, why not seek to do it in a more modern way? Like hospitals can help this using their qualified surgeons. You know? For God's sake the Bagishu if you are hearing me now, you honestly need to reconsider your policy whatever the aim of issuing this policy was! I mean people dont really give a damn about things that endanger their lives. In the process of this kind of circumcision, some one can get hurt, or be exposed to diseases like cancer and HIV Aids itself. I wonder whether you have considered this as well. In todays news papers (New vision) still, there is a report reading, " soldiers in the Rwanda Defence Force will be the first men to benefit from a government policy to use male circumcision in the fight against HIV." I dont think the government of Rwanda has considered what it means to circumcise a man! Apparently a man needs at least 48 days to recover once he has been circumcised. And that means that he will have to take a break from work as he heals. And then that means that their national security will be at sort of a stake. If you know what I mean. But I dont think it is in the best interest of the soldiers to be circumcised considered they have to protect their country as well. I will keep you guys posted on this. You can leave me comments and let me know what your opinion is about this.. Thanks By Ssozi Javie. To be continued...

And my next coverage will be on FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION.

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