The Rotary Cancer Run has raised more than Shs5 billion towards completing and equipping a cancer treatment centre at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, putting the project ahead of its original 2027 fundraising target.
The milestone was announced last week as thousands of Ugandans ran, walked and gathered in Kampala and 62 towns across the country for the 15th edition of the annual campaign.
Rotary had identified a Shs6 billion funding gap, which it hoped to close by 2027.
Mr Stephen Mwanje, the campaign's vision bearer, said the latest collections mean they are now ahead of schedule.
The achievement means the campaign can now shift attention from fundraising towards equipping the facility and preparing the personnel who will operate it.
Beyond the run
“The cancer ward at Nsambya was completed within three years. But work on the wider centre, including infrastructure for radiotherapy equipment, is progressing,” he said.
The 2027 run will target completion of the treatment centre, with training of health workers and acquisition of equipment expected to form the next phase.
Rotary also plans to support cancer centres in Arua and Kasese in an effort to take specialised care closer to patients outside Kampala.
The fundraising drive has grown from a small initiative into a national mobilisation campaign. This year's organisers set a target of 100,000 participants, with Rotary clubs mobilising runners in different parts of the country. But behind the numbers are people for whom cancer is not simply a cause.
Cancer becomes personal
Mr Francis Tusubira explained why the campaign remains deeply personal to him. He recalled the death of a 14-year-old girl in his family, about two decades ago. He said the experience of watching her suffer in hospital, at a time when little could be done, stayed with him.
He also spoke about Mary Forward, a Rotary Foundation staff member, a member of his family, who died of cancer at the age of 28.
Those experiences, Tusubira said, have shaped his commitment to the fight against cancer.
“This is about expressing humanity as Rotarians. Our lives take more meaning when we look beyond ourselves,” he said.
The large turnout represented more than a sporting activity or fundraising event. It was a statement of solidarity with patients, survivors and families affected by cancer.
Late diagnosis
Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi said the growing cancer burden had made the disease a government priority. He urged Ugandans to pay attention to prevention, healthy eating and screening, stressing the importance of detecting cancer early.
Dr Baryomunsi said cancer is preventable and treatable, with treatment options including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and medicines, alongside supportive care such as physiotherapy. He stressed that early detection improves the chances of successful treatment.
However, he said many patients reach health facilities when the disease is already advanced, limiting the treatment options.
“Most cases we receive are at Stage Four and we can only do palliative care,” he said.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that Uganda recorded about 35,968 new cancer cases and 24,629 deaths in 2022. Cervical cancer was the leading cancer overall, while prostate cancer was the most common among men.
Centenary Bank managing director Godfrey Byekwaso said the bank has partnered with the Rotary Cancer Run for 15 years and has been its platinum sponsor for 14 of those years.
He said the bank has contributed about Shs3 billion to the initiative over the years, including Shs500 million for this year's campaign.
“For us at Centenary Bank, we are honoured to partner with Rotary to contribute towards a noble cause,” Byekwaso said. He described each runner's step as a contribution towards transforming lives and creating hope.
Parliament of Uganda, Crystal Water, C-Care, Psalms, Double QQ and Candlelight Properties were among the other partners supporting the campaign.
The run was held under the theme “Let's run to restore hope,” with the organisers urging Ugandans to “Screen. Know. Respond” ahead of the 2027 Run.
For the runners, there was no winner to crown at Kololo.
The real victory will come when the money raised becomes equipment, trained specialists and treatment and when more Ugandans detect cancer early enough to have a fighting chance.
Cancer centres
The 2027 run will target completion of the treatment centre, with training of health workers and acquisition of equipment expected to form the next phase. Rotary also plans to support cancer centres in Arua and Kasese in an effort to take specialised care closer to patients outside Kampala. The fundraising drive has grown from a small initiative into a national mobilisation campaign. This year’s organisers set a target of 100,000 participants, with Rotary clubs mobilising runners in different parts of the country.
