Uganda Cancer Institute moves to design innovative health financing initiative

The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has held a strategic and scoping workshop on diaspora innovative health financing with officials from the Uganda Embassy in Washington DC, the foreign affairs ministry and Global Health Catalyst.

The December 2, 2025, scooping workshop held at Four Points by Sheraton Kampala aimed to collaboratively develop Uganda's inaugural proof-based, fiscally secure, blended-finance health service pilot.

 The development follows Uganda’s nomination as the pilot country for the innovative health financing initiative (diaspora remittances) at the recently concluded side event meeting at the UN General Assembly.

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in late September 2025, Uganda, represented by Ambassador Robie Kakonge, announced a pioneering pilot initiative aimed at harnessing diaspora remittances to support cancer services across the country.

In a social media post, UCI said the workshop was officially opened by foreign affairs ministry director of international and regional economic co-operation, Elly Kamahungye, who represented ministry's permanent secretary.

Kamahungye reaffirmed the Ministry’s and the Uganda Embassy in Washington, DC's commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen cross-border collaboration, attract investment, and engage Uganda’s highly skilled and influential global diaspora community.

He highlighted that, over the past years, collaboration among the Global Health Catalyst, the Uganda Cancer Institute, and Ugandan missions abroad has gained momentum through high-level engagements at Harvard University, MIT, and Johns Hopkins.

These platforms, he noted, have demonstrated what becomes possible when scientific excellence, innovative fiscal planning, and diplomatic efforts converge. These discussions catalysed the early development of what is now taking shape as the Global Cancer Financing Platform.

UCI executive director Dr Jackson Orem (L) said the workshop served as a critical step in outlining preparatory actions towards developing a pioneering health financing mechanism leveraging diaspora remittances and blended-finance guarantees to strengthen Uganda’s health system.

UCI executive director Dr Jackson Orem said the workshop served as a critical step in outlining preparatory actions towards developing a pioneering health financing mechanism leveraging diaspora remittances and blended-finance guarantees to strengthen Uganda’s health system.

According to Orem, these efforts mark significant progress in mobilising sustainable, fiscally secure financing pathways for priority health services, beginning with a country-led pilot designed to demonstrate proof of concept and scalability.

Cancer burden

Cancer is among the fastest-growing health challenges in Uganda.

Orem, in an opinion piece recently published on New Vision Online, says the country records about 37,000 new cancer cases and over 26,000 deaths annually.

“This mortality burden is particularly high for a population of 51 million, affecting families across Uganda—mothers, fathers, daughters, and sons. Too often, patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment options are limited, and survival chances are slim”.

However, Orem adds that early detection and timely treatment have proven to dramatically improve outcomes, save lives, and strengthen families and communities.
 
UCI provides free cancer treatment to all Ugandans in line with the principles of Universal Health Coverage.

This care is also extended to patients from neighbouring countries, including those displaced due to instability or seeking specialised care.