Uganda Hosts EALA Consultative Engagement on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2025
Bishop Samuel
Kampala, Uganda — The Ministry of East African Community Affairs (MEACA), Uganda, through its Department of Political Affairs, participated in a high-level consultative engagement convened by the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to deliberate on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation Bill, 2025. The two-day meeting, held at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala, brought together EALA Members of Parliament, government officials, development partners, and civil society stakeholders to examine the proposed regional legislation aimed at eradicating female genital mutilation (FGM) across the East African Community.
Uganda’s presentation was delivered by Mrs. Ingrid Owomugisha, Regional Integration Officer at MEACA’s Department of Political Affairs. She outlined Uganda’s commitment to the bill’s objectives, which include protecting girls and women at risk, prohibiting medicalisation and cross-border FGM, and aligning national efforts with regional and international instruments. Mr. Andrew Musiime, Commissioner for Political Affairs, was also in attendance and contributed to the technical dialogue.
The Bill is anchored in Article 121(b) of the EAC Treaty, which calls on Partner States to abolish discriminatory legislation and customs. It draws strength from the EAC Gender Policy (2018), the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which targets the global elimination of FGM by 2030.
Development partners, including Africa Mama wa Africa, UNFPA, and SIHA, enriched the discussions with insights on community engagement, survivor support, and policy advocacy. Representatives from other Partner States joined the meeting virtually, ensuring regional inclusivity and continuity of dialogue.
The consultative engagement reaffirmed the East African Community’s zero-tolerance stance on FGM and emphasized the need for coordinated legislative, institutional, and community-based action to eliminate the practice. A detailed matrix of recommendations and implementation strategies is expected to guide Partner States in domesticating the provisions of the bill.
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