Rotary Cancer Run meets fundraising target with sh5.6b raised
Mwanje credited the achievement to public trust and the team’s transparency and expressed sincere gratitude to the public.
Thousands of people attended Rotary Cancer Run on Sunday, August 30. (Photos by Eddie Ssejjoba)
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Years of fundraising for a cancer treatment facility at Nsambya Hospital have reached a major milestone, with sh5.6b raised towards completing the construction of bunkers and a ward for two linear accelerators.
Stephen Mwanje, past district governor and chair of the Uganda Rotary Cancer Program, announced the achievement at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Sunday (August 30) following this year’s Rotary Cancer Run, organised under the theme ‘Gwanga Mujje’ and attended by thousands of participants.
Mwanje said the project was initially intended to be completed by 2024 and opened in 2028, adding that it remains on schedule.
The project had a funding shortfall of sh6b, which was to be raised through this year’s and next year’s runs. Mwanje said sh5.6b had already been raised, putting the project ahead of schedule.
Mwanje credited the achievement to public trust and the team’s transparency and expressed sincere gratitude to the public.
He also thanked sponsors, including Centenary Bank, Parliament of Uganda, Krystal Natural Mineral Water, New Vision, MAAD Advertising and others, for their support.
Mwanje said that after the infrastructure work is complete, the next target will be to acquire the equipment and train staff who will run the facility.
“After that, our plan as a program is to head to Arua and then on to Kasese. We're committed to reaching everyone out there to offer support and bring hope to cancer patients.”
He emphasised cancer’s widespread impact in Uganda, noting that "each of us has had a parent, a friend, a neighbour, a relative, or an acquaintance who has suffered from cancer. "
Byekwaso urged support for cancer prevention through healthy living, screening, early diagnosis, assistance for affected families and investment in treatment facilities.
He said the bank had contributed sh3b over the years, in addition to sh500m this year, to co-fund the Rotary-Centenary Bank Cancer Centre at Nsambya Hospital, which offers screening, chemotherapy, surgery and palliative care.
He said the support aligns with the bank’s ESG mandate, which encompasses health, education, environmental stewardship and the church’s social mission.
Chief runner Dr Francis Frederick Tusubira said the activity was more than a run, but a demonstration of Rotary’s transformative potential when members collaborate.
He applauded the participants for their contributions and said organising a cancer run is a recognised method of building resistance against the disease, both physically and through raising awareness.
“And therefore, when we gather here in these numbers, it's about expressing our humanity as Rotarians, knowing that as Rotarians, as human beings, our lives take more meaning when we look beyond ourselves and look above the views of others. And that's our vision. I can say, the corporates, together with us, can work together and change the challenges we face in Uganda,” Tusubira stated.
Health minister and past president of the Rotary Club of Kabarole, Chris Baryomunsi, expressed his gratitude to everyone who had answered the call to participate in the run against cancer.
“I thank those of you present, as well as those running in other parts of Uganda and in capital cities worldwide. Secondly, I wish to acknowledge the Rotary family for initiating this effort to support the battle against cancer. “As the Minister of Health, combating cancer is a top priority, and we are pleased to have partners like Rotary and all of you joining us in this endeavour.”
“Cancer can affect anyone, from children to the elderly. The prevalent cancers we are observing include cervical cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, and cancers of the oesophagus and stomach, among others. These are the primary types, but many other cancers are also seen.”
He urged all Ugandans to persist in the fight against cancer.
“Cancer is preventable and manageable, particularly if detected and treated in its early stages through regular check-ups. Cancer progresses through four stages. If identified at stage one, interventions such as surgery, medication, or radiotherapy can be effective. My message is for all of us to visit our health facilities for medical check-ups. Early detection of cancer allows for better management,” Baryomunsi stated.
“So let us run, let us look at our diet. We can prevent cancer using many approaches, but even when you develop it, if you present early in the hospital, the health centre, the health workers can help.”
Samuel Hopper, the head of marketing at Krystal Natural Mineral Water, said the company was always amazed by how the run gets bigger and better.
He said that, apart from providing hydration, the company had invested both money and resources to support medical camps across the country.
“This year, we helped over 2,000 people get cancer screenings. Through working with the cancer team, we learned that raising awareness is still a major challenge. “As a company, we promise that a portion of the profits from every crystal water bottle sold supports the cancer run.”
He said the company was going to invest more than sh1.5b into the Rotary Cancer Program over the next three years.
