Women cancer awareness, prevention campaign launched in Jinja
Less than five percent of sexually active women have ever screened for cervical cancer. This implies that many women require the services but yet the majority are in the rural population and cannot afford the life-screening services.
Dr Alfred Jatho and Dr Angela Namala (centre), with Nalongo Florence (right) and Esaza Asaliwa (2nd left), both cancer patients and Dr Anna Kabona (left) a consultant on public health at Jinja hospital. (Credit: D0reen Musingo)
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JINJA - A Women's cancer awareness campaign has been launched in Jinja under the theme: Because every woman matters.
The monthlong campaign involves activities, including educating the public about prevention of both breast, cervical cancer and offering screening services.
According to Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja executive director Sylvia Nakamya, less than five percent of the sexually active women have ever screened for cervical cancer. This implies that many women require the services but yet the majority are in the rural population and cannot afford the life-screening services. Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, is implementing the campaign in conjunction with the Government.
Nakamya said they are also targeting a run whose activities are targeting to raise about shillings 150 million with the aim of making screening service accessible to over 3,000 women as well as vaccinate about 10,000 school-going girls aged between 10 to 13 years next year, 2026, in the Busoga region and neighbouring districts of Buikwe and Kayunga.
Speaking during the launch on Monday, October 6, 2025, at their offices along Kiira road in Jinja city, she said HPV vaccines are available in health facilities and cold chain stores.
Slyvia Nakamya speaking at the launch of the women cancer fight. (Credit: Doreen Musingo)
Prevention drives are important
Dr Alfred Jatho, who heads the comprehensive community cancer care department at the Uganda Cancer Institute, said it is important to have such cancer prevention drives because they relate to the concept of raising resources locally to support cancer control, other than relying on funding from donors.
“The run symbolises solidarity, that we must work together to raise resources to solve our problem,” Jatho said.
He added that notably, riding, walking and running is another way of physical activities, which promote good health, including reducing cancer risk.
Nakamya said this is the sixth event since its inception in 2019.
The event will climax on October 25 with teams of participants walking, running and riding bicycles in Jinja city.
"We shall do it around town to create awareness and to magnify our voices against cancer that is killing several women in the region" she said.
The cancer cases
Cervical cancer is the most common disease among women in Uganda.
This is followed by breast cancer.
Data from Uganda Cancer Institute reveals a growing trend of individuals being diagnosed with breast cancer with an average of 3,000 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients annually.