The Constitutional Court has declared the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) as unconstitutional and a violation of one’s rights.

The five justices of the Constitutional Court led by the deputy chief justice Laeticia Mukasa Kikonyogo said FGM is not in accordance with international treaties and the judiciary has to eliminate it.

In April 2007, a non-governmental human rights advocacy known as Law Advocacy for Women in Uganda, petitioned court seeking to orders to declare the practice null and void.

The advocacy group said the practice had no medical benefits whatsoever.

Advocates say FGM is likely to increase the risk of HIV/AIDS due unsterilised instruments used by the unprofessional surgeons.

The practice of FGM is common among the Sabiny in eastern Uganda.