Kampala, Uganda – Aga Khan University has stepped up efforts to improve cancer treatment and awareness in Uganda as the country records a sharp rise in cases and deaths linked to the disease.
Speaking during a cancer awareness media engagement, Dr. Deo Ssenkumba said many Ugandans still seek medical help when cancer has already reached advanced stages, largely because routine screening remains uncommon. He warned that factors such as smoking, obesity, unhealthy diets, early sexual activity and multiple sexual partners are increasing cancer risks, especially cervical cancer, which is closely linked to HPV infection.
Health experts estimate Uganda registers about 35,968 new cancer cases and 24,629 deaths annually, with more than 77,000 people currently living with the disease. Women account for about 56 percent of all reported cases. Cervical cancer remains the leading cancer among women, recording the country’s highest cancer mortality rate, while prostate cancer makes up nearly a quarter of cancers among men. Oesophageal cancer is also steadily increasing, particularly in urban areas such as Kampala, where experts say lifestyle and exposure risks are higher.
“We want people to have access to cancer diagnosis and treatment at subsidised rates. Aga Khan is not for the rich, it is for everyone,” said Dianah Ssewanyana, adding that the hospital is expanding public awareness campaigns to encourage early screening and prevention.
Doctors say cancer patterns vary across age groups. Children are commonly affected by retinoblastoma, kidney cancer and leukaemia, while Kaposi’s sarcoma remains common among young adults. Breast and cervical cancers are dominant among middle aged women, while prostate cancer is the leading cancer among older men.
Health specialists also noted that cervical cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers through HPV vaccination, regular screening and early treatment. Uganda is being encouraged to fully implement the global 90 70 90 strategy, which targets 90 percent HPV vaccination among girls, 70 percent screening coverage for women and 90 percent treatment for detected cases.
Despite the growing burden, Uganda still depends heavily on the Uganda Cancer Institute as its main specialised treatment centre, creating pressure on services for a population of more than 48 million people. Challenges such as delayed diagnosis, long travel distances and drug shortages continue to affect patients.
To address the gap, Aga Khan University is constructing a major specialised hospital on more than 60 hectares in Nakawa, Kampala. The facility, expected to open by 2028, will provide advanced treatment, research and medical training services for Uganda and the wider East African region, while helping reduce the number of patients seeking treatment abroad.
