The Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme

Ten years ago, under the leadership of the then-District Governor Stephen Mwanje, Rotarians in Uganda supported by partners embarked on the construction of the second Cancer Centre in Uganda.

The vision was to build a specialized center of excellence for pre and post-cancer care, treatment, and management at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya. This led to the formation of the Rotary Cancer Programme Uganda (URCP), with the Rotary Cancer Run launched in August 2012 as the primary fundraising and cancer awareness vehicle.

With two Rotary Foundation grants, the 36-bed capacity facility was operationalized in 2016 after being equipped with medical equipment and supplies worth US$150,000. The facility serves more than 2,000 clients annually offering a wide spectrum of cancer activities including cancer awareness and screening, ambulatory cancer clinics, chemotherapy administration, surgical and medical oncology services, and palliative care.

From the 10 Cancer Runs held since then, over UGX 3.5 billion has been realized. In 2015, URCP supported by partners completed the construction of the Rotary Centenary Bank Cancer Center at a cost of UGX 1.5b (US$410,000).

With two Rotary Foundation grants, the 36-bed capacity facility was operationalized in 2016 after being equipped with medical equipment and supplies worth US$150,000. The facility serves more than 2,000 clients annually offering a wide spectrum of cancer activities including cancer awareness and screening, ambulatory cancer clinics, chemotherapy administration, surgical and medical oncology services, and palliative care.

The construction of two radiotherapy bunkers to house linear accelerators (LINACs) commenced in May 2022. The works are estimated to cost US$3,649,548, approximately UGX 13,868,282,400 inclusive of VAT. Currently, URCP has UGX 2.38 billion in cash for this phase. There is a need to raise US$3,096,916 (about UGX 11,768,282,400) to complete the construction of the two bunkers and associated spaces.