More Than 3000 Ugandans Develop Cancer Annually

More Than 3000 Ugandans Develop Cancer Annually

Artha Mercy Nabbaale was just five years old when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer. Seven years have passed since she completed her treatment at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala.

Her mother, Ms. Sarah Tebasoboke, recounts the difficult journey leading to the diagnosis. “She began with persistent coughs, back pain, and weight loss. As parents, this was deeply concerning,” Ms. Tebasoboke narrates. After a month-long process of medical consultations and cancer screening, the family received the devastating diagnosis.

Dr. Fadhil Geriga, a pediatric cancer specialist at UCI, explains that symptoms of childhood cancers, including kidney cancer, can be subtle and difficult to detect. “Parents may only notice symptoms like abdominal swelling or weight loss during daily activities, such as bathing their child,” he says.

According to the American Cancer Society, other symptoms of kidney cancer include blood in the urine, low back pain on one side, unexplained fever, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

After her diagnosis, Nabbaale underwent surgery at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Naguru and subsequently received radiotherapy at UCI. Despite the challenges, she has since returned to school and attributes her recovery to the medical care she received and the prayers of loved ones.

Challenges and Success Stories

Another childhood cancer survivor, Moses Echodu, was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Echodu recalls experiencing unexplained symptoms after a football match. “I was limping, thinking it was fatigue. But the next morning, I couldn’t walk properly,” he shares.

After misdiagnoses and worsening symptoms, Echodu was referred to the Uganda Cancer Ward at Mulago Hospital, where he participated in a clinical trial for an experimental drug. Fortunately, the treatment was successful, and Echodu now leads the Uganda Child Cancer Foundation, advocating for improved care for children with cancer.

Rising Cancer Burden in Uganda

Dr. Geriga highlights the growing cancer burden in Uganda, with an estimated 3,000 children developing cancer annually. However, only 30 percent of these cases are presented at treatment centers, often due to lack of awareness or financial constraints.

Statistics from UCI show a significant increase in childhood cancer cases, with 700 new cases recorded in 2022 alone. While the survival rate for childhood cancers in Uganda is around 50 percent, it remains far below the 80 percent survival rate in developed countries.

Prof. Rhoda Wanyenze, Dean of Makerere University School of Public Health, emphasizes the need for more cancer research and public awareness campaigns to address the rising incidence of the disease.

Although the causes of childhood cancers remain largely unknown, the American Cancer Society notes that genetic mutations, parental smoking, and environmental factors may play a role. For adults, lifestyle choices such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy diets contribute significantly to cancer risk.

As Uganda commemorates World Cancer Day 2025, UCI and the Ministry of Health have launched initiatives to enhance cancer detection and care across the country. This year’s theme, “United in Goals, Unique in Our Needs,” underscores the importance of tailored solutions for Uganda’s cancer burden.

Free cancer screenings have been conducted in Mbarara District, where 1,400 new cancer cases are reported annually. Efforts to raise awareness and provide early diagnosis aim to improve survival rates and reduce the growing cancer-related mortality, which reached 21,000 deaths in Uganda in 2024.

With increased public awareness, government support, and international collaboration, experts hope to make significant strides in combating cancer and improving care for children like Nabbaale and Echodu.

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