Uganda is facing a growing cancer burden, with tens of thousands of people diagnosed with the disease every year and thousands more dying from cancers that, in many cases, can be prevented, detected early or better managed.
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) says cancer remains one of the country’s major public health challenges, with the disease affecting both men and women across different age groups.
According to figures recently presented by the institute, Uganda records about 29,000 new cancer cases every year, while approximately 18,000 people die from cancer annually. An estimated 59,000 cancer patients receive care each year.
The figures paint a worrying picture of a disease whose impact extends beyond the individual patient to families, communities and the health system.
Among Ugandan men, prostate cancer remains one of the leading cancers, while Kaposi sarcoma, commonly referred to locally as “Kisipi,” also continues to pose a major threat.
UCI has identified prostate cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, oesophageal cancer and liver cancer among the important cancers affecting Ugandan men.
Kaposi sarcoma is particularly significant in Uganda because of its association with HIV and the immune system. The cancer is linked to Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8), and people whose immune systems are weakened are at greater risk of developing the disease.
UCI has historically been at the centre of research and treatment of Kaposi sarcoma. The institute says its work over the years has included research into both endemic and epidemic forms of the disease, including HIV-related Kaposi sarcoma.
The continued burden of Kaposi sarcoma also highlights the importance of HIV prevention, testing and effective treatment. Antiretroviral therapy helps restore the immune system and reduces the risk of HIV-associated cancers.
Oesophageal cancer is emerging as one of Uganda’s particularly serious cancer challenges.
UCI recently described the disease as a major regional health problem and said oesophageal cancer is now the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Uganda, after cervical cancer.
The cancer is often detected late, making treatment more difficult and contributing to the high number of deaths.
UCI has therefore called for greater investment in research, early detection, screening and innovative treatment approaches to tackle the disease.
For Ugandan women, cervical and breast cancers remain the dominant cancer threats.
UCI and the Ministry of Health have repeatedly promoted screening for cervical, breast and prostate cancers as part of efforts to increase early detection. During World Cancer Day activities, the institute organised screening services for breast, cervical and prostate cancer and urged Ugandans to take advantage of screening opportunities.
Cervical cancer is particularly significant because much of its burden can be reduced through prevention, vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV), screening and early treatment of precancerous changes.
The cancer burden is not confined to Kampala.
UCI reported that the Mbarara region recorded more than 1,400 new cancer cases in 2024, with prostate, stomach, cervical and breast cancers among those showing a significant burden.
However, determining the precise national cancer burden remains challenging because cancer registries do not cover the entire country equally. Research published on Uganda’s regional cancer spectrum noted that available population-based registry data represent only a portion of the country’s population, meaning the true national burden may be higher or distributed differently than existing statistics show.
One of the biggest challenges facing cancer care in Uganda is that many patients seek treatment when the disease is already advanced.
UCI has previously warned that a large proportion of adult cancer patients present late, sometimes after cancer has spread to several organs. At that stage, treatment becomes significantly more difficult and may shift from attempting to cure the disease to providing palliative care and managing symptoms.
This makes prevention, public awareness and early diagnosis critical components of Uganda’s fight against cancer.
The institute has emphasised that reducing the country’s cancer burden cannot depend solely on hospitals. Prevention, vaccination, screening and health education within communities are equally important.
UCI’s own recent training material cites an estimated 34,000 new cancer cases and 23,000 cancer deaths in Uganda in 2020, illustrating the scale of the problem in recent years. It identifies cervical cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, breast cancer, prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma among the country’s leading cancers.
The different figures reported for different years reflect differences in the period, data sources and estimates used, but they point to the same conclusion: cancer remains a major and persistent health challenge in Uganda.
The institute’s work has consequently expanded beyond treatment to include research, prevention, screening, public education and efforts to improve access to cancer services.
UCI currently provides cancer information resources for the public and has established a call centre to help people obtain information about cancer services and clinics.
The message from Uganda’s cancer specialists is increasingly clear: waiting for symptoms to become severe can cost lives.
Men are encouraged to pay particular attention to prostate cancer and unusual skin lesions, including those associated with Kaposi sarcoma. Women are urged to undergo regular cervical and breast cancer screening.
People living with HIV should also remain consistent with their antiretroviral treatment, while all Ugandans are encouraged to seek medical attention when they notice unusual or persistent changes in their bodies.
For UCI, the fight against cancer must begin before a patient reaches the cancer ward — through prevention, vaccination, screening, early diagnosis and public awareness.
With thousands of Ugandans being diagnosed and dying from cancer every year, the challenge is no longer simply treating those who are already sick, but finding ways to prevent cancer, detect it earlier and ensure that those diagnosed can access timely and effective treatment.
