📷 Thousands join Colour Run to boost childhood cancer survival
Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng-Ocero, noted that childhood cancer remains a major health challenge in Uganda, with approximately 1,500 to 3,000 new cases reported annually.
Runners took part in either the 10km or 5km routes, both starting and finishing at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago. (Photos by Maria Wamala)
Michael Odeng
Journalist @New Vision
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The much-anticipated Childhood Cancer Colour Run 2025 lived up to expectations, bringing with it a vibrant atmosphere and a spirit of celebration.
Music filled the air as the morning sun lit up the venue, adding to the day’s excitement.
Participants, dressed in the event’s signature white shirts bearing the Cancer Run insignia, completed the look with sporty attire, ranging from shorts and track bottoms to athletic leggings and running trousers.
Runners took part in either the 10km or 5km routes, both starting and finishing at the Uganda Cancer Institute in Mulago.
Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng-Ocero, noted that childhood cancer remains a major health challenge in Uganda, with approximately 1,500 to 3,000 new cases reported annually.
Her speech was delivered by the Commissioner for Clinical Services, Dr Rony Bahatungire.
She said the most common types of childhood cancer managed at the Uganda Cancer Institute include Burkitt lymphoma, acute leukaemia, Wilms tumour, and rhabdomyosarcoma.
Despite the availability of treatments such as generic medicines, surgery, and radiotherapy, the minister said survival rates for childhood cancer in Uganda remain low—at around 20% to 30%.
Citing the challenges many children face, Aceng-Ocero noted that only about 30% of childhood cancer cases reach treatment centres, largely due to poor detection.
She also observed that approximately 30% of patients abandon treatment due to financial constraints such as lack of transport to hospitals and cancer centres, as well as limited accommodation at the few treatment facilities available.
The minister highlighted that over 41% of Uganda’s population lives below the international poverty line, making it difficult for families to afford treatment—particularly when medications are unavailable in public hospitals due to their specialised nature and limited supply.
She added that the limited budget for cancer treatment commodities remains a serious challenge, especially amid rising demand driven by improved cancer detection.
To address these issues and improve survival rates, particularly for children, the minister said the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has developed several interventions.
These include a five-year Child and Adolescent National Cancer Control Strategy, developed in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and other partners.
According to the minister, the strategy aims to raise the survival rate to 60% by 2030, through early detection, improved treatment outcomes, and comprehensive support for affected families.
She also announced the implementation of a Community-Based Cancer Navigation Programme under the theme Special Hearts to Nurture Every Child (SHiNE Child), developed in collaboration with the Palliative Care Association of Uganda.
“This programme focuses on providing transportation for children and their caregivers, capacity building for health workers, and integrating palliative care into the routine healthcare package in hospitals and lower-level health facilities. Furthermore, it also enhances awareness, food and nutrition support, psychosocial support, and cancer prevention efforts,” she said.
Aceng-Ocero emphasised that Uganda is one of the focus countries receiving support from the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer—a collaboration between WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—aimed at increasing global childhood cancer survival rates to at least 60% by 2030.
She added that the hostel for which resources are currently being mobilised will complement other ongoing national strategies aimed at improving childhood cancer survival in Uganda.
She therefore called upon citizens to prioritise early detection to improve treatment outcomes.
“Let us all provide comprehensive support to children and their families and together we shall achieve the Global milestone of a 60% childhood cancer survival rate by 2030,” the minister advised.
Moses Echodu, Chief Executive Director of the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, said the children’s cancer hostel is expected to be completed by next year.
He noted that while the previous year’s run attracted 2,400 participants, this year’s edition saw approximately 4,000 people take part.
Dr Joyce Kambugu disclosed that around 3,275 children and adolescents develop cancer in Uganda each year, but only one-fifth receive preventive care.
She said that 750 children died last year after missing preventive care and that about 50% of patients abandon treatment due to a variety of challenges including lack of accommodation in Kampala, high rent, transport costs, and food expenses.
“The hostel aims to address these issues. While the government provides free chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy, it’s often insufficient,” Kambugu said.
Dr Jackson Orem, a medical oncologist and Executive Director of the Uganda Cancer Institute, observed that the greatest challenge is not necessarily the disease itself, but the socio-economic factors that prevent children from accessing timely treatment.
“Many children, especially from rural areas, do not receive medical attention due to financial constraints,” he observed.
He said that despite available treatment options, only 20-30% of children with cancer are reported, resulting in high mortality rates.
“Many deaths could be averted if treatment were not abandoned. The government has a national strategy for cancer, aiming to treat 50-70% of cases, and they are also part of a global initiative,” he said.