The Uganda Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health, Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), and Mbarara health authorities are calling on the public to embrace free cancer screening and HPV vaccination services now available at Health Center III and above.
They warn that many patients still arrive at hospitals when their cancer is already in advanced stages and expensive to treat.
With cervical and breast cancers accounting for more than half of Uganda’s cancer burden and around 35,000 new cases reported each year, health experts stress that early detection remains the most powerful tool in saving lives.
They caution the public against persistent misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer screening.
Uganda is facing a silent but deadly crisis as cancer cases, especially among women, continue to surge across the country.
According to the Uganda Cancer Institute, cervical and breast cancers alone account for more than half of the national cancer burden. This alarming trend is putting women's health at grave risk.
In response, the Ministry of Health, together with KOFIH and Mbarara health authorities, is urging the public to embrace early detection through nationwide cancer screening and prevention services, now available from Health Center III and above.
Uganda currently records about 35,000 new cancer cases annually, with an estimated 72,000 people living with the disease. Yet, many are diagnosed late when the cancer is already advanced and more difficult to treat. With over 100 known cancer types, breast and cervical cancers remain the most common.
“In Uganda, when people are diagnosed with cancer, most are diagnosed when the cancer is very advanced and they don't live for long. Yet cervical cancer can be prevented and that's through vaccination,” noted Dr. Frank Mugabe of the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Diseases Department.
In Mbarara City and District, this call has been met with action. Hundreds of women are turning up at screening centers, responding positively to awareness drives. The momentum in Mbarara is part of a broader effort that screened over 16,000 women across Kampala, Mbarara City, and Mbarara District in 2024 , an effort led by the Uganda Cancer Institute in partnership with KOFIH.
“In Mbarara District alone, we have screened 3,796 mothers for cervical and breast cancer,” revealed Dr. Peter Sebutinde, the District Health Officer (DHO).
He added, “Out of 298 people tested for HPV both men and women 48 were positive. From the women screened for cervical cancer, 369 showed signs of cervical cancer, and 168 of them have so far been treated at our health facilities.”
Dr. Keiruky Longino, the City Health Officer for Mbarara, applauded the effort. “Cancer of the cervix is the biggest burden among all cancers affecting women. We thank the Korean government for the support in preventing this cancer,” he noted.
He added, “Here in Mbarara city, all health workers at health facilities from Health Center III to the Regional Referral Hospital were trained to handle cervical cancer screening cases.”
Dr. Sebutinde emphasised the importance of early detection. “The screening is meant for early detection. One can be treated at a Health Center III, and when the lesions go beyond the capability of a Health Center III, an appropriate referral is made to the regional referral hospital.”
Highlighting the economic burden, Dr. Alfred, Head of Community Cancer Services at the Uganda Cancer Institute, said: “Assuming there is no support from government or donors, it costs about she 300 million to treat one cancer. Many years ago, cancer was not among the priority diseases in our country. We put more resources into malaria, HIV, and TB. We now need to prioritise cancer.”
Despite these efforts, men are still showing up in small numbers for screenings, even though many are affected by prostate and other cancers.
“HPV is mainly caused by sexual exposure. We advise women and men to minimize the number of sexual partners to one. The more partners you have, the higher your exposure to HPV infection. Stick to one partner , do zero grazing. That’s what men should do,” said Dr. Sebutinde.
He continued, “When one develops HPV and it is not managed, it can lead to the cancer of penis. Most times, you see men with a persistent ulcer at the tip of the penis that doesn’t heal despite using antibiotics. That ulcer could be cancer. Get examined.”
Dr. Frank Mugabe from ministry of health also pointed out the high-risk groups: “The most at risk are those who are HIV positive, women who have given birth, and young girls who start having sex early and have multiple partners.”
Cancer prevention services continue to expand. The government is offering free HPV vaccination for young girls and making cervical cancer screening accessible at all public health facilities and private non-profit hospitals across the country.
Health officials are therefore urging communities to visit the nearest health facilities for screening as community outreach programs continue.