Our Investigation

Under the direction of Prince Hillary Maloba, we conducted interviews from 1–16 February, 2016 in Busia, Kumi, Pallisa, Tororo, and Soroti Districts.

Our focus was on three traditionally non-circumcising tribes targeted by VMMC: the Luo tribe in Kenya, a predominately circumcising country; and the Bagwere and Iteso tribes in Uganda. The Luo tribe faces ethnic discrimination for being uncircumcised, including barring from public office and forced circumcision attacks from the neighbouring Luhya tribe. The Bagwere and Iteso tribes have no cultural context for circumcision.

Interviews were conducted in English, Swahili, Dholuo, Teso, Lugwere, Luganda, and Samia languages.