Penile cancer is a malignant tumour which we rarely encounter in rural Zaire because circumcision is practised in several tribes at early age. We describe in 5 patients, penile cancer all from the same ethnic group (Hema, Nilotic ethnic group) living both in Zaire and Uganda. In this tribe circumcision is not a routine surgical act. Delayed consultation and subsequent treatment are often seen. It is emphasized again that the lack of circumcision and living in poor hygienic circumstances are predisposing factors for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the penis.