Rotary seeks sh6b to complete cancer treatment centre

Rotary Uganda says it is seeking shillings six billion to complete the Rotary Cancer Centre at St Francis Hospital Nsambya as efforts intensify to expand access to cancer treatment services in the country.

The appeal was made during the launch of the 15th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run in Kampala on February 27, 2026, where President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni pledged shillings three billion to support the initiative.

The pledge was announced by the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, who represented the President as chief guest at the event.

The President’s contribution will support the ongoing construction of the Rotary Cancer Centre, a facility expected to improve access to cancer diagnosis and treatment services for Ugandans.

“I met with the President and informed him about the Rotary Cancer Run and the plans to launch the Rotary Cancer Centre,” Among said. “He responded positively and pledged Sh3 billion towards this year’s Cancer Run. I want to assure you that together we shall complete that building.”

The annual Cancer Run, supported by Vision Group, is scheduled to take place on August 30, 2026.

Among noted that cancer remains one of Uganda’s fastest-growing public health challenges, with thousands of new cases diagnosed each year.

“The decision by Rotary to contribute to the fight against cancer is a noble cause. Cancer remains a significant and rapidly rising public health burden in Uganda,” she said.

She added that treatment remains costly for many families, with patients spending between $300 and $800 on care, placing heavy financial pressure on households.

According to Steven Mwanje, Vision Bearer of the Rotary Cancer Run initiative, Uganda currently has only three radiotherapy machines serving a population of about 45 million people.

“At the moment Uganda has only three radiotherapy machines at Mulago National Referral Hospital serving a population of about 45 million people. That capacity is far from sufficient,” Mwanje said.

He explained that global health standards recommend at least one radiotherapy machine for every one million people, meaning Uganda would ideally require about 45 machines.

“This means we still need more than 40 additional machines to adequately serve the population,” he added.

Rotary Cancer Run Chairperson Meddie Lutaaya called on Ugandans to unite behind the campaign, whose theme this year is “Gwanga Mujje,” loosely translated as “Country, come together.”

“This is a call to Rotarians, friends of Rotary and all Ugandans to come together and act. If we unite and take action, we shall realise the dream of building a world-class cancer treatment centre,” Lutaaya said.

He revealed that while the superstructure of the cancer centre has largely been completed, the project still faces a funding gap of about Sh6b needed to complete the next phase of construction.

Corporate partners have also continued to support the initiative, with Centenary Bank pledging Sh650m towards this year’s Cancer Run.

The bank’s Executive Director, Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, said the institution has supported the initiative for more than 15 years.

“For the past 15 years, Centenary Bank and Rotary Uganda have walked this journey together, transforming concern into action and partnerships into infrastructure,” Balikuddembe said.

Since its launch, the Cancer Run campaign has contributed 36 beds to Nsambya Hospital and raised more than Sh8b between 2016 and 2025 to support cancer care initiatives.

Organisers say continued public support will be critical in completing the cancer centre and expanding treatment services across the country.