Lango Leaders Move to Arrest Local Practitioners of Uvulectomy to Curb Infant Deaths

11 September 2026, 11:28 am

By Finellah Akullu Opio

Local leaders in Lango Sub-region have resolved to arrest and prosecute individuals performing traditional uvulectomy, the local surgical removal of the uvula, following reports of rising infant mortality linked to the dangerous practice.

The decision was reached during the closure of a two-day regional health summit held at Gracious Palace Hotel in Lira City.

The conference convened district leaders, healthcare professionals, and government officials to deliberate on strategies to revamp the region’s healthcare delivery system.

Speaking on behalf of the district leaders, Apac District LC5 Chairperson and Chairman of the Lango LC5 Chairpersons’ Forum, Ambrose Agec Opio, expressed alarm over high infant mortality rates stemming from traditional uvula cutting.

He announced that district councils across the sub-region will pass by-laws mandating the immediate arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the practice.

Opio also urged the government to speed up work on health center construction projects currently handled by the UPDF Engineering Brigade, noting that delays in completing some facilities are compromising healthcare services.

Addressing the summit, Lira Regional Referral Hospital Director Dr. Andrew Odur instructed district health officers to lead by example and regularly monitor lower-level health centers.

He assured stakeholders that resolutions from the summit would be forwarded to relevant authorities for implementation.

Lira City Resident Commissioner, Lawrence Emmy Egole called on health administrators to embrace community barazas (public forums) to enhance transparency and resolve local grievances.

Meanwhile, Government Chief Whip and Lira City Woman MP, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero backed the crackdown on traditional uvula cutters, recommending that offenders face murder charges due to the lives lost.

Dr Aceng noted that public ignorance continues to drive parents toward traditional practitioners instead of seeking proper medical treatment for infant oral conditions.

She further urged Lango leaders to foster unity, champion preventive healthcare, and carefully select leaders who prioritize public service over political division.

The summit highlighted several critical health challenges still troubling the sub-region, including high burdens of malaria, sickle cell disease, Hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, and cancer, alongside systemic issues like drug leakages, equipment failure, and understaffing in public health facilities.