The fight against cancer in Uganda received a major boost with the official launch of the Rotary Cancer Run 2025 during the 100th Rotary District Conference at the Civil Service College in Jinja.
The launch, which took place on Day 3 of the conference, was officiated by Next Media Group CEO Kin Kariisa, who served as the chief guest.
The Rotary Cancer Run is a flagship initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds to support cancer treatment in Uganda.
Organizers have set an ambitious target of raising Shs 4 billion from the 2025 run, contributing towards a broader goal of Shs 18 billion for the construction of a state-of-the-art cancer centre.
“We have so far collected Shs 8 billion, part of which has been used to develop the cancer treatment centre at Nsambya Hospital, where thousands of patients receive care,” said Ritah Baraka, Chairperson of the Rotary Cancer Run.
She also revealed that Shs 200 million was donated to Mengo Blood Bank, with the remaining balance safeguarded in a bank account for future use.
In his remarks, Kariisa called on Rotarians to champion awareness and prevention efforts in the fight against cancer, noting that lifestyle-related factors contribute significantly to the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.
“Medics have told us that many cancers and other non-communicable diseases are caused by our lifestyles. We must work together to raise awareness and prevent these illnesses,” he said.
To amplify these efforts, Kariisa announced the launch of a dedicated Rotary channel on the AfroMobile app, where all Rotary activities will be showcased.
"We will publish all your impactful activities free of charge,” he pledged.
Day 3 of the Rotary 100 Conference focused heavily on personal health and innovation in today’s dynamic business environment.
Renowned pediatrician Dr. Sabrina Kitaka and mental health expert Dr. Ritah Sonko led sessions on the mental health crisis affecting children and adults alike, stressing the importance of early detection and active parental involvement.
“Parents must make time for their children’s mental well-being, especially in today’s fast-paced world,” Dr. Kitaka emphasized.
On the business front, industry leaders including Francis Kamulegeya, Centenary Bank CEO Fabian Kasi, and Roke Cloud CEO James Byaruhanga led discussions on resilience, digital transformation, and grooming the next generation of entrepreneurs in an era of rapid technological change.
The day ended on a high note with renewed commitment from Rotarians and stakeholders to prioritize health, innovation, and community engagement as Uganda continues to confront critical health challenges.