Local artistes vow to use music in cancer fight

KAMPALA - Local musicians have vowed to work together in sensitizing Ugandans especially in rural areas about different cancers through their music.

This was during the launch of a campaign to raise funds aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer for the benefit of the community held at City Oil, Kira Road on Wednesday.

The function was organized by Uganda Women's Cancer Support Organization (UWOCASO), a non-governmental organization for female cancer survivors in Uganda, in collaboration with Mandela Group of Companies.

A team of musicians led by Dr. Hilderman sang a song about the importance of early detection of cancer and control.

 Dr. Hilderman has a huge local following. (Credit: Tabitha Moraa)

The musicians say that music will contribute significantly to the fight against cancer. (Credit: Tabitha Moraa)

"Cancer has become a threat to our nation. Not only breast cancer but other types like prostate, cervical cancers," said David Lutalo, a Ugandan musician.

"As musicians, we can contribute a lot in sensitizing people on why they need to go for regular checkups and when found to be sick, seek early treatment. We shall use our music to make a difference in fighting cancer."

Another fellow artiste Angella Katatumba said: "When AIDs was seriously killing our people, music was one of the strategies some musicians used to inform the public about it, how it kills and how to avoid it. I believe we can use music to inform our people in how to fight cancer too."

Sam Gombya, a musician who is also deputy mayor of central division, said he will mobilize fellow musicians, work with organizations like UWOCASO to go in rural areas and educate masses about cancer.

(Credit: Tabitha Moraa)

Reports from Uganda Cancer Institute indicate that breast cancer ranks third, constituting 8.2% of all cancers diagnosed in the country.

Ruth Kavuma, former president of Rotary Club of Kampala Ssese Island who was the guest of honor, talked of music's potential role in the cause.

"All of us enjoy music, the more we listen to it, the more we get the message and dance to it. Music will play a crucial role in reaching many people and educating them about cancers."

According to World Health Organisation(WHO), cancer has become the leading cause of death since 2004 and the incidence will more than double in developing countries by 2030 if no action is taken.