Cancer awareness campaign boosted by 600 NMS running kits purchase

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The cancer awareness drive through the Rotary Cancer Run has been boosted with the purchase of 600 running kits.

A cancer run activation exercise for this year's activity at their headquarters in Kajjansi town council, Wakiso district, the National Medical Stores (NMS) secured 600 running kits on July 31, 2025.

The 14th edition of Rotary Cancer Run launched early this year, aims at raising shillings four billion towards the completion of the second phase of a radiotherapy centre, which is envisaged to house two cancer testing and diagnostic machines known as Linear accelerators, as well as a state-of-the-art health centre, which will be carrying out all diagnostics and treatments.

Meddie Lutaaya, the vice-chairperson of this year's cancer run, said NMS has been a big partner in the fight against cancer, among other non-communicable diseases.

NMS staff engaging in drills for the 2025 cancer run during the Thursday activation at the main warehouse in Kajjansi town council.

He explained that cancer is such a big scourge, which has affected and infected many families in one way or another.

"There are 33,000 cases of cancer diagnosed every year and unfortunately, 80% die within the first year of diagnosis because of late diagnosis," Lutaaya noted.

"We have come out handy to spread the message of awareness and have so far conducted 32 medical camps out of the 70 medical camps planned to be conducted this year," he added.

The theme for this year's cancer run is 'Run for a Cause', which emphasises the focus on hope, strength and unity in the fight against cancer. The run will take place on August 31 at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.

Lutaaya also noted that there will be other runs in the major regions and cities across the country and abroad.

Sam Ngambwaki, the fundraising chairperson for this year's cancer run, said proceeds from the past cancer runs enabled the establishment of a cancer centre at Nsambya Hospital at shillings 1.5 billion.

"It is a 36-bed facility which has so far supported over 18,000 cancer patients with testing, diagnostics, and minor surgeries. Shillings 200 million from the cancer run in the year 2015 were channelled towards a blood bank at Mengo Hospital. And this year's proceeds will be geared towards the 2nd phase of the cancer health centre at Nsambya hospital, with possible finishing and commissioning in 2027," Ngambwaki explained.

He appealed for more support towards the noble cause, saying, one can support the program by registering for the run at shillings 30,000, which comes with a running kit, by donation and corporate sponsorships. 

NMS spokesperson Sheila Nduhukire said data from the health ministry indicates that 75% of the diseases in Uganda are preventable.

"Therefore, NMS, as a custodian of medicines and health supplies, has a core mission geared towards preventive health. For that reason, the management decided to support by buying the kits and having all our staff participate in the cancer run as another way of raising awareness about cancer."