Surgeon sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for female genital mutilation

Moroto, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Moroto Chief Magistrates court has handed Maria Lokeris, a resident of Nakonyen village, Tapac sub-county, a four-year jail term after finding her guilty of performing female genital mutilation. She appeared before Moroto Chief Magistrate Emmy Soyeko on Monday.

The prosecution told the court that on November 3rd, 2022, Lokeris, 46, performed FGM on four girls. Three of the victims managed to flee to Kenya where they are hiding while one of the victims was rescued while bleeding in a lot of pain.

In his submission, the Moroto State Attorney, Innocent Obale told court that FGM is inhumane, cruel, and degrading to the dignity of women. He asked the court to find the accused guilty and hand her a severe sentence that would deter other would-be offenders. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

FGM involves the total or partial removal of the external genitalia of women and girls. It is common in the Sabiny in Kapchorwa, Pokot in Amudat, and Tepeth in Moroto. The government outlawed FGM in 2010. However, the practice has continued thriving in the said communities, where it is practiced secretly.

Micheal Longole, the Mt. Moroto Regional police spokesperson says that they will continue arresting and prosecuting the suspects found cutting women. He said the convict is the second person to be jailed for promoting FGM.

Moru Lokutai, a resident of Nakonyen has appealed to the government to support the FGM surgeons with income-generating projects since they have been earning a living by cutting women and girls to deter them from the practice.

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