Government is set to borrow EUR 31.98 million (about UGX 139 Bn) from the French Government, for the construction and equipping of the Uganda Cancer Institute’s, Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre.
The Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Rt Hon Justine Kasule Lumumba made the revelation on Tuesday, while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Hon Lumumba, noted that the centre will help in the treatment of cancer, which remains a serious public health challenge in Uganda.
“According to Uganda Cancer Institute statistics for 2025, the country records about 36,000 new cancer cases every year. Yet only 8,764 of those cases reached the Uganda Cancer Institute at Mulago” she said.
She added, “Even more concerning is that between 80 and 87 per cent of cancer patients present when the disease is already at an advanced stage”.
Hon Lumumba noted the need to bring cancer treatment services closer to communities, inorder to lessen national burden of cancer diagnosis and treatment presently carried by the Uganda Cancer Institute.
“Many patients must travel long distances to Kampala, while others seek treatment abroad at costs that most families cannot afford” she said.
Lumumba said the Mbarara Centre will close the gap by expanding to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen referral pathways, and support cancer prevention, outreach, early detection, and care in the western region.
“This investment is in line with Uganda’s national development priorities, including the strengthening of health infrastructure and progress towards universal health coverage” she said.
Lumumba further noted that the centre, will also reduce the financial and emotional burden that cancer places on patients and their families.
