“Circumcision Season” Has a Whole New Meaning in Uganda This Year

Author: Mark Mascolini

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15 August 2008

Uganda’s government is taking advantage of the yearly “circumcision season” among certain tribes to promote the procedure as a way to lower HIV infection risk in men, Reuters reports.

Three randomized trials found that circumcision lowers the risk of HIV infection for men during heterosexual sex up to 60%. But Uganda will not rely solely on the month-long circumcision season to promote the procedure.


The government itself will pay for circumcisions of 3000 youths from 12 to 18 years olds. Officials also plan to oversee tribal circumcisions to ensure their safety. Knives must now be sterilized between each foreskin removal.

In an effort to lower sexually transmitted infection rates, Uganda will also officially dissuade tribes from encouraging young men to have sex as soon as their circumcision wound heals.


Whether Ugandan men fully understand the potential benefit of circumcision remains unclear. One young man got it right when he told Reuters, “All I know is that when I am circumcised, it will not be as easy for me to get infected with HIV/AIDS.”

But his friend incorrectly suggested that “People who are circumcised are not able to get AIDS.”


Source: Frank Nyakairu. Uganda turns to mass circumcision in AIDS fight. Reuters. 13 August 2008.

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