Bugisu Leaders Clash With Makerere Innovation Allowing Women to Urinate Standing
Speaking by telephone from Mbale City, Masiga described the invention as culturally unacceptable and argued that it contradicts traditional norms upheld within the Bugisu community. According to Masiga, standing while urinating has historically been regarded as a practice reserved for men, while women traditionally squat when easing themselves. He emphasized that cultural boundaries between men and women should be respected and preserved.
The spokesperson of the Bugisu Cultural Institution, Hon. Steven Masiga, has cautioned Bamasaba women against embracing a recently publicized innovation reportedly developed at Makerere University that enables women to urinate while standing.
Speaking by telephone from Mbale City, Masiga described the invention as culturally unacceptable and argued that it contradicts traditional norms upheld within the Bugisu community.
According to Masiga, standing while urinating has historically been regarded as a practice reserved for men, while women traditionally squat when easing themselves. He emphasized that cultural boundaries between men and women should be respected and preserved.
“We do not discourage inventions and innovations, but inventions must be mindful of culture and societal values,” Masiga said. “There are natural boundaries directed by nature itself. Men do not squat while urinating, and women should also maintain the traditional standards that define femininity and cultural identity.”
Masiga further argued that although Uganda’s Constitution promotes equality between men and women, he does not believe that such equality extends to changing traditional practices related to how people relieve themselves.
“I am aware of constitutional provisions that seek to eliminate inequality, but I do not think urinating while standing was part of the equality envisioned by lawmakers,” he said.
The Bugisu Cultural Institution spokesperson also called upon husbands and community leaders to report cases where women are allegedly seen using such devices, claiming that the institution intends to discourage practices it views as contrary to Bugisu culture.
He added that the institution plans to formally petition Makerere University and the inventor behind the device, urging them to focus innovations on issues such as disease prevention, women’s empowerment, and economic development rather than what he termed “unnecessary cultural disruption.”
“We expect our universities and inventors to concentrate on more meaningful challenges affecting women and society, including health and empowerment,” Masiga stated. “I do not know whether women had complained about difficulties before this invention was introduced.”
Masiga also revealed that he intends to use his upcoming visits to schools across the Bugisu sub-region to lecture students about cultural preservation and what he described as responsible innovation.
He warned that the institution’s cultural enforcement teams would monitor public places, including bars and entertainment spots, to ensure that cultural norms are respected.
“Our cultural police will move around public places to ensure that women continue observing acceptable cultural standards,” he said. “Going against culture is also a serious matter that society should not ignore.”
The remarks have already sparked debate among members of the public, with some defending cultural traditions while others argue that technological innovations should be embraced if they improve convenience, hygiene, and inclusivity for women.
Makerere University had not yet officially responded to the comments by press time.
This comes after a Makerere University student(David Kaleebu) developed a disposable female urination device designed to enable women to urinate while standing, a solution he savs could help reduce exposure to unhygienic public toilets.
