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Judges support banning of female circumcision
The Constitutional Court concurs with parliament that female genital mutilation must be outlawed for being inconsistent with the constitution of Uganda.
Five justices of the constitutional court led by Deputy Chief Justice Leticia Mukasa Kikonyongo concurred that Female Genital Mutilation is condemned by both the Uganda constitution and international law as having very harmful consequences to the health and dignity of women and girls.
A non Government Organization, Law and Advocacy for Women in Uganda petitioned the court seeking to have the practice banned on grounds that it violated several articles of the constitution that guarantees women’s right to life and freedoms from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.
The Judges welcomed Government’s move not to contest the petition and table a Bill in parliament to outlaw the practice to which the president assented.
Justice Alice Mpagi Bahigaine who was part of the quorum noted that it was fitting that the state conceded the unconstitutionality of the practice and hoped that the domestic relations Bill would soon come to fruition.Thursday, 29 July 2010 14:50
