Rotary launches cancer run in Koboko

KOBOKO - Rotary club Uganda is carrying out a country wide cancer run that will take place next month.

However, Koboko and Arua municipalities are the major towns in West Nile that were chosen to carry out the activity.

According to the Rotary club Uganda mobilising committee Chairperson, Godfrey Kayitarama, the run aims at creating a difference in the Ugandan health system.

He said it will improve the treatment of cancer with a linear accelerator machine that burns cancerous cells.

"In the whole country, it is only Mulago that has a linear accelerator," he said.

Kayitarama pointed out that Koboko is one of the marginal districts bringing them on board will form a Rotary club in the area.

He also appreciated Centenary Bank, Parliament of Uganda and the New Vision, among other sponsors for funding the cause.

A doctor at Arua regional referral hospital, Robert Candia noted that the prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing.

He said alcohol, tobacco smoking, and inadequate exercise are to blame.

"Early detection is important before reaching the terminal stage," he added

The Koboko municipal mayor, Wilson Sanya said despite the challenges of transporting cancer patients, they have always helped by contributing money.

"We had a cancer patient who needed monetary help to travel to India and we mobilised and contributed money and he was able to go to," he narrated.

He said if the Rotary club collects the required money they will be no need for cancer patients to travel to India.

Joseph Wambuzi, mobiliser of Koboko run said they had so far sold over 100 kits.

Koboko RDC, Yahaya Kakooza welcomed the efforts of the Rotary Club in supplementing the government's health initiatives.

Medina Apai, a cancer patient said the two linear accelerators will help to prevent the growth of cancerous cells.

However, she said the government should help them with some logistics like transport and feeding when they attend reviews.