The minister for culture Peace Mutuze confirms that govt rescued and returned 120 girls who had moved to Kenya for female genital mutilation (FGM) during the months of lockdown.
Addressing journalists at the launch of the 16 days against gender based violence today in Kampala, Mutuzo revealed that communities in Sebei have made it a habit to cross over to Kenya to perform FGM acts since in Uganda it was pronounced illegal.
She notes that with the agreed bilateral agreement between the two countries, they managed to trace the 120 girls and returned them home.
The returnees were consoled on the dangers of performing the FGM acts and the benefits of living without undergoing such acts.
The Uganda govt together with development partners are running aggressive programs in the Sebei region aimed at curbing FGM and finding alternative solutions to the vice in the communities.
The minister further expressed concerns over the high numbers of domestic violence during the months when Uganda was under lockdown.
Over10,000 cases related to GBV were reported to police and among these, 800 were related to child rape and defilement.
The minister is now urging parents and guardians to stop negotiating with perpetrators in exchange for money, such acts are fueling child violence as well as violation of children’s rights and ending their future.
