The Uganda Cancer Institute, founded in 1967, is a public medical care and research facility based in Kampala, Uganda. UCI provides specialized treatment, including radiotherapy and surgery, while also pioneering cancer solutions and expanding outreach and early detection programs. In April 2026, UCI performed Uganda’s first bone marrow transplant, marking a major advancement in the country’s cancer care capabilities. UCI also works to expand cancer screening in Uganda, particularly through specialized screenings such as cervical testing.

This focus on early detection is critical because many patients still arrive at health facilities with late-stage disease, limiting treatment options and increasing medical costs. Routine screening can identify abnormal cells before they develop or spread, allowing patients to connect with treatment plans earlier. The expansion of UCI’s screening programs also addresses barriers that prevent Ugandans from seeking care, including limited awareness, fear and lack of accessibility.

Limited Cancer Screening Impacts Poverty

• Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Health insurance coverage in Uganda remains very low. UNICEF reported coverage of about 1.1% of the household population in its 2025–26 health-sector budget brief. This means many Ugandans pay directly for consultations, medicines, travel and treatment, leaving less money available for food, housing and other basic needs.
• Asset Liquidation: Research on patients receiving surgical care in rural Uganda illustrates how serious illness can affect household finances. One study found that 53% of households borrowed money to pay for care and 21% sold possessions. Other research has also found that households may use savings, borrow money or sell assets to meet medical costs, pushing financially vulnerable families further into hardship.
• Inability to Work and the Caregiver Burden: Severe and unmanaged cancer symptoms can force patients to reduce or stop work, creating significant financial consequences for households. Caregivers may also lose income when they need to spend long periods away from work to support family members through treatment. These pressures can be particularly damaging for families already living close to the poverty line.

UCI Fights Back with Cancer Screening in Uganda

Early treatment is critical. UCI has expertise in surgical oncology, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and various forms of palliative care. These services can all benefit from early screening. Earlier detection can widen treatment options and, in some cases, reduce the need for more intensive late-stage care.

Uganda continues to face shortages of specialized cancer professionals. UCI combats this deficit through specialized training programs and educational initiatives, including oncology fellowships, regional upskilling and targeted screening courses. In 2025, 28 cancer specialists graduated through programs connected to Uganda’s cancer-care system. These efforts can make treatment more accessible locally and reduce some of the costs associated with traveling for care.

UCI focuses on decentralizing care and reducing patient overcrowding, which are major barriers to cancer treatment. Gulu is operational, while regional centers in Mbarara, Arua and Mbale are under development. Bringing services closer to communities can reduce the travel and accommodation costs faced by patients who would otherwise need to make repeated journeys to Kampala.

Final Thoughts

Expanding cancer screening in Uganda gives patients a better chance of catching cancer early while reducing some of the financial strain associated with late-stage treatment. By decentralizing care, training specialists and bringing screening closer to communities, the Uganda Cancer Institute is helping make cancer care more accessible. As UCI continues expanding its reach, early detection can become both a public health tool and part of a broader effort to reduce the financial burden of serious illness.

– Julia M Kozin

Julia is based in Livemore, CA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons