400 local circumcision surgeons in Mbale have downed their tools, ahead of Friday's official launch of ‘imbalu' circumcision ritual in Bugisu.
The traditional ‘imbalu' circumcision ceremony which takes place every two years will be officially launched on Friday in Mutoto cultural grounds in Mbale district.
Hundreds of people from as far as Bungoma in Western Kenya have already pitched camp at the site.
But 400 registered traditional surgeons who are supposed to carryout the circumcision have threatened to boycott the event for lack of facilitation.
The surgeons are demanding for transport facilitation to the cultural ground and lunch allowance. They are also opposed to a proposal that requires them to pay 15,000 shillings for health training, in order to attain practicing certificates.
Pozi Yahaya, has a 20-year experience in carrying out circumcision. He wonders how they expect him to walk on foot for 15 kilometers from Nakaloke Sub-county to Mutoto cultural grounds to carryout the exercise free of charge.
Paulo Wasike, a surgeon from Bukonde Sub-county says the traditional circumcision surgeons have vowed to stay away from the ground for as long as it takes the authorities to address their grievances.
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Haji Yusuf Wamboga, the Speaker of Bamasaba traditional surgeons, warns that any surgeon who will not observe the boycott will be penalized by the association.
Wamboga too wonders why the organizers want them to pay 15,000 shillings for training and obtaining certificate to carryout an activity that they have been performing for more than 20-years.
Mackay Nangosha, the Mbale Cultural Officer was by this morning trying to plead with the surgeons not to boycott the event. He says 100,000 shillings had been budgeted for sodas.
The budget for the occasion which has been organized by Manfwa district local government and Bugisu cultural board is 90 million shillings.
President Museveni is expected to preside over the event.
