Health
Busoga kingdom calls for wider cancer screening uptake
The head of the Community Cancer Care Programme at the Uganda Cancer Institute, Dr Alfred Jatho, echoed the call, urging residents to be mindful of their health and undergo regular cancer screening.
The deputy prime minister of Busoga Kingdom, Owek Al Osman Noor Ahmed, flanked by Dr Alfred Jatho of UCI, the ED Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, Sylvia Nakami and Bishop Dr Grace Lubega pose for a photo. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)
By: Agnes Kyotalengerire, Journalist @New Vision
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Busoga kingdom has urged residents of Jinja city and the wider sub-region to embrace cancer screening services.
“As officials from the Busoga kingdom, we are committed to supporting initiatives that improve health and save lives,” said the deputy prime minister of the Busoga kingdom, Owek. Al-Osman Noor Ahmed.
Noor also appealed to local governments, schools, business communities and civil society organisations to sensitise and mobilise people in the Busoga sub-region to seek cancer screening services.
The deputy prime minister of Busoga Kingdom, Owek Al Osman Noor Ahmed, addressing guests during the launch of the Nile Cancer Run. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)
The head of the Community Cancer Care Programme at the Uganda Cancer Institute, Dr Alfred Jatho, echoed the call, urging residents to be mindful of their health and undergo regular cancer screening.
“Regularly, screen for common types of cancer, and when you feel unwell, go to the hospital for a check-up to establish the cause of your ill health," Dr Jatho noted.
He urged people diagnosed with cancer to start treatment early to improve their chances of a better outcome.
Cancer prevention
Dr Jatho further noted that because cancer is a complex and expensive disease to treat, preventive measures are important. These include avoiding smoking, limiting excessive alcohol consumption and getting vaccinated against certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer, which is caused by human papillomavirus.
The director of Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Dr Alfred Yayi, advised residents to embrace health promotion and prevention activities, including eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity at least three to four times a week.
Dr Yayi faulted men for poor health-seeking behaviour.
"Men wait to seek medical help when they are bedridden," he said, urging them to seek medical care whenever they are unwell.
The remarks were made during the launch of the ninth edition of the Nile Cancer Run at Jinja Central Market in Jinja city.
The Nile Cancer Run is scheduled for October 24 at 7:00 am at Health First Gym & Fitness Centre in Jinja. It will feature a 10km run, a 5km walk and a 15km ride.
The executive director of Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, Sylvia Nakami, said the Nile Cancer Run aims to raise awareness about cancer.
“Let the people know more about cancer so that they can make an informed decision about prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment,” Nakami said, adding that if a patient is diagnosed at an early stage and starts treatment immediately, the outcome is better.
Nakami said proceeds from the cancer run will fund prostate, cervical and breast cancer screening outreach activities.
After the Nile Cancer Run, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ) and its partners will take cancer prevention and early detection services into communities to create awareness, vaccinate girls against HPV, screen women for cervical and breast cancer, and screen men for prostate cancer, while helping people access diagnosis and timely treatment, she said.
Hundreds embrace cancer screening
As part of the Nile Cancer Run launch activities, a cancer screening medical camp was conducted.
"Men wait to seek medical help when they are bedridden," he said, urging them to seek medical care whenever they are unwell.
The remarks were made during the launch of the ninth edition of the Nile Cancer Run at Jinja Central Market in Jinja city.
The Nile Cancer Run is scheduled for October 24 at 7:00 am at Health First Gym & Fitness Centre in Jinja. It will feature a 10km run, a 5km walk and a 15km ride.
The executive director of Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, Sylvia Nakami, said the Nile Cancer Run aims to raise awareness about cancer.
“Let the people know more about cancer so that they can make an informed decision about prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment,” Nakami said, adding that if a patient is diagnosed at an early stage and starts treatment immediately, the outcome is better.
Nakami said proceeds from the cancer run will fund prostate, cervical and breast cancer screening outreach activities.
After the Nile Cancer Run, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ) and its partners will take cancer prevention and early detection services into communities to create awareness, vaccinate girls against HPV, screen women for cervical and breast cancer, and screen men for prostate cancer, while helping people access diagnosis and timely treatment, she said.
Hundreds embrace cancer screening
As part of the Nile Cancer Run launch activities, a cancer screening medical camp was conducted.
The deputy prime minister of Busoga Kingdom, Owek Al Osman Noor Ahmed, poses for a group photo with religious leaders and officials from Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja and Uganda Cancer Institute. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)
A total of 92 men were screened for prostate cancer, with one testing positive and being referred for further investigations.
Meanwhile, 41 women were screened for cervical cancer, with six testing positive for precancerous cervical cells. Five were treated, while one was referred for further evaluation because of a suspicious lesion.
Another 41 women underwent breast examinations. Two were found to have suspicious findings and were referred for further care.
Cancer burden
In 2025, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) recorded a 10.3% increase in the number of people newly diagnosed with cancer.
Data from the institute shows that 8,764 new cancer patients were recorded in 2025, up from 7,943 in 2024, a 10.3% increase. Of the 8,764 patients, 45% were male and 55% female.
Adults accounted for 91% of the new patients, while children accounted for 9%, or 780 patients.
Commonest cancers recorded
Among adults, the institute recorded 1,255 new cases of cervical cancer in 2025, representing a 15% increase.
This was followed by breast cancer, with 935 new patients, an 18% increase.
The number of new prostate cancer patients stood at 895, representing a 17% increase, while 588 patients were newly diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, an increase of 12%.
A total of 408 new male patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer during the same period.
Meanwhile, 41 women were screened for cervical cancer, with six testing positive for precancerous cervical cells. Five were treated, while one was referred for further evaluation because of a suspicious lesion.
Another 41 women underwent breast examinations. Two were found to have suspicious findings and were referred for further care.
Cancer burden
In 2025, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) recorded a 10.3% increase in the number of people newly diagnosed with cancer.
Data from the institute shows that 8,764 new cancer patients were recorded in 2025, up from 7,943 in 2024, a 10.3% increase. Of the 8,764 patients, 45% were male and 55% female.
Adults accounted for 91% of the new patients, while children accounted for 9%, or 780 patients.
Commonest cancers recorded
Among adults, the institute recorded 1,255 new cases of cervical cancer in 2025, representing a 15% increase.
This was followed by breast cancer, with 935 new patients, an 18% increase.
The number of new prostate cancer patients stood at 895, representing a 17% increase, while 588 patients were newly diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus, an increase of 12%.
A total of 408 new male patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer during the same period.