Over 1,000 male youths from the Sabiny community are set to participate in the 2024 circumcision ceremonies, marking a cultural revival after decades of interruption.
The Sapiiny safe male circumcision (Rotweet) event was officially launched by the Sabiny Cultural leader, Peter Swilikei Kissa, at Boma Grounds in Bukwo District on December 1.
The event, running until March 2025, underscores the cultural significance of circumcision in Sabiny traditions.
Speaking during the launch, Kissa urged the Ugandan government to formally recognise and document the ceremony, emphasising its importance to the community’s heritage.
This traditional practice had been disrupted since 1969 due to security challenges, including conflicts with Pokot and Karamojong warriors and instability that forced many Sabiny members to seek refuge in Kenya.
The revival is a collaborative effort between the Sabiny Cultural Institution, local authorities, and government health departments to ensure the procedure is safe and conducted by qualified surgeons.
Morris Kiplangati , the principal community development officer for Bukwo District, remarked that the event marks a significant and historic occasion.
He noted that in Sabiny, such events were common in the past but ended in 1969 due to various security challenges.
Since that time, he said the community has faced considerable disorganization.
He explained further that Uganda’s instability led some community members to seek refuge in Kenya, while those who remained experienced rampant cattle rustling and conflicts with the Pokots and Karamojong warriors, a situation that persisted until the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government intervened.
Kiplangati further stated that the arrival of the NRM government in 1986 initiated a gradual return to relative peace, although this realization did not occur immediately.
He emphasized that community leaders and the Sapiiny people are now committed to revitalizing their cultural heritage.
Recently, the Sapiiny community has expressed a strong desire to restore their culture, recognizing the importance of their historical legacy.
Historically, circumcision was conservatively conducted starting on December 1, in even-numbered years.
However, the practice has evolved, with circumcisions occurring at various times, including in October and November.
This shift has raised concerns within the community, particularly highlighted by a recent incident involving a senior four student who underwent circumcision just before his final exams, resulting in significant distress during the examination period.
In response, community elders advocated for a return to the original cultural practice, emphasizing that circumcision should officially commence on December 1, as tradition demands, to ensure that students complete their final examinations beforehand.
To promote the safety of this procedure, authorities in the Sabiny region have collaborated with the Ministry of Health to identify competent surgeons.
Additionally, it has been announced that boys undergoing circumcision will be paired with mentors who will guide them through preparatory sessions, ensuring they are mentally prepared and courageous by the time the procedure takes place.
Mr. Samuel Ononge Francis, the Action Aid International Uganda project officer implementing a UNFPA initiative in the Sebei sub-region and Karamoja, expressed his admiration for the cultural leader, particularly regarding his efforts in promoting alternative rites of passage.
He congratulated him on this significant achievement in revitalizing cultural norms and urged all leaders and community members to support his endeavours.
Additionally, he took the opportunity to encourage residents and leaders in the Sebei region to familiarize themselves with the female genital mutilation legislation, noting that the law has already been translated into the local languages (Sapiiny and Pokot) with assistance from cultural institutions.
