By Joseph Wanzusi

A MEMBER of the Bagisu Cultural Board has proposed that the retirement age for the circumcision surgeons (Bakhebi) be set at 60 years if their sight is still good.

He said this would minimise the accidents that occur during the operation. John Musila made the remarks at a consultative workshop on the promotion of safe male circumcision in the era of HIV/AIDS, held at Communications Centre hall in Mbale town on Saturday.

He noted that some Umusinde (circumcision candidates) have suffered from genital injuries because of poor circumcision practices leading to contraction of diseases like tetanus.

Another board member, Damascus Munyanda, opposed a suggestion of applying anaesthesia to the penis before circumcision arguing that for a Mugisu boy to be initiated into manhood, he must face the knife and feel the pain as a test of bravery.

Dr. Christine Nalwadda of Makerere University School of Public Health dismissed fears that the programme to promote safe male circumcision is aimed at phasing out traditional Imbalu surgeons.

Nalwadda, however, opposed a suggestion that the Bakhebi should undergo an HIV test before they are issued with practicing certificates saying it was un-ethical to condition the local surgeons to publicly declare their sero-status.

A surgeon from Mbale Dr. Jaffar Balyejusa said he had not had a case of a circumcised Mugisu suffering from cancer of the penis. He called on other tribes to embrace circumcision since research had indicated that it reduces chances of contracting HIV.