The 15th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run has raised UGX 5.62 billion, surpassing its UGX 5 billion fundraising target and bringing the Rotary Cancer Programme significantly closer to completing the superstructure of the Cancer Treatment Centre at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya.
The achievement, announced today at the main Cancer Run event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, means that the UGX 15 billion target for the superstructure of the Nsambya Cancer Treatment Centre is now fully covered, marking a major milestone in Rotary’s long-term effort to expand access to cancer treatment in Uganda.
The 2026 Cancer Run, held under the theme “Ggwanga Mujje”, brought together thousands of Ugandans in Kampala, across the country and towns around the world, alongside government leaders, corporate partners, Rotarians, Rotaractors, health workers, families and cancer advocates. The campaign had targeted to mobilize 100,000 participants and raise UGX 5 billion towards the completion and equipping of the facility.
The 15th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run has raised UGX 5.62 billion, surpassing its UGX 5 billion fundraising target and bringing the Rotary Cancer Programme significantly closer to completing the superstructure of the Cancer Treatment Centre at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya.
The achievement, announced today at the main Cancer Run event at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, means that the UGX 15 billion target for the superstructure of the Nsambya Cancer Treatment Centre is now fully covered, marking a major milestone in Rotary’s long-term effort to expand access to cancer treatment in Uganda.
The 2026 Cancer Run, held under the theme “Ggwanga Mujje”, brought together thousands of Ugandans in Kampala, across the country and towns around the world, alongside government leaders, corporate partners, Rotarians, Rotaractors, health workers, families and cancer advocates. The campaign had targeted to mobilize 100,000 participants and raise UGX 5 billion towards the completion and equipping of the facility.
Speaking at Kololo, Chairperson of the Uganda Rotary Cancer Programme, PDG Stephen Mwanje, said the latest collection places the programme ahead of its fundraising schedule.He attributed the achievement to the confidence Ugandans and partners have placed in the Rotary Cancer Programme.
“As I speak now, we are on track. We had a gap of UGX 6 billion and we planned to raise this in two Cancer Runs of 2026 and 2027. I am glad to announce that we have a collection of UGX 5.62 billion. Once again, we are ahead of schedule. It is because of the confidence we have in our team and the transparency of the team. I am here today to thank you very much. The sponsors are special, who have walked with us in this journey, with Parliament as the big boys.”
The milestone comes just days after Parliament deposited UGX 3 billion towards the Rotary Cancer Programme, bringing Parliament’s cumulative contribution over the 15 years of the Cancer Run to **UGX 10.2 billion.
PDG Mwanje adds that Rotary's ambition extends beyond Nsambya, with plans to take specialized cancer care closer to communities across Uganda.
“After Nsambya, our next target is a regional cancer treatment centre in Arua and then Kasese. We must go everywhere to support and give hope to cancer patients.”
The Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi commended Rotary and the thousands of Ugandans who participated in the campaign, describing cancer as an increasingly serious public health challenge. He adds that Ministry of Health considers the fight against cancer a priority and welcomed partnerships that strengthen prevention, early detection and treatment. He urged Ugandans to prioritise regular health checks and healthier lifestyles, committing to strengthening collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Rotary on the fight against Cancer in Uganda.
“I am happy to be here and thank all of you for being part of the Run against Cancer. I thank the Rotary family for this initiative of fighting cancer. We have an epidemic of cancer and cases are on the rise. As Ministry of Health, we prioritise the fight against cancer and I am happy we have partners like Rotary who are joining us in this fight. I will arrange a meeting with Rotary to see how to strengthen the partnership and take this fight further.”
The Chief Runner and Rotary Foundation Trustee Tusu Tusubira, the Cancer Run represents far more than a fundraising campaign. It demonstrates the transformative power of collective action and reflects the deeply personal impact cancer has on Ugandan families. He notes that many people participating in the Run have personal experiences with cancer, either caring for loved ones or grieving those they have lost. He adds that the Cancer Run serves multiple purposes beyond fundraising, including promoting physical fitness, creating awareness and strengthening solidarity
“Most of you see the Cancer Run. For me, I see the transformative power of Rotary. When we work together, we can do much more. Many of you are nursing cancer patients now; many have been bereaved because of cancer. Therefore, cancer is not a disease, it is personal. The Cancer Run has got more objectives beyond just a means to collect money. It keeps us physically fit, which is a way of creating resistance, and it creates awareness. When we gather here in big numbers, it is about expressing our humanity as Rotarians. Our lives bring more meaning when we look beyond ourselves. We can work together and change the face of Uganda”
Tusubira called for stronger collaboration between Rotary, Government and the private sector to accelerate the national cancer response.
Rtn Meddie Lutaaya, Chairperson of the Rotary Cancer Run 2026, thanked Rotary clubs across Uganda for their mobilization efforts and the partners whose support made the campaign possible and paid tribute to the thousands of participants who responded to the national call to action.
“Everyone here and our partners have done a great job. I thank the Rotary clubs that have mobilized all these numbers to come here. We are now closer to completing our superstructure at Nsambya. Ggwanga Mujje! You have come and have made a statement. I thank you all.”
The UGX 5.62 billion raised this year represents a significant step in Rotary’s broader cancer programme, which seeks to address Uganda’s cancer burden.
The immediate focus remains the completion and equipping of the Cancer Treatment Centre at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, including infrastructure for advanced radiotherapy services. Rotary has previously stated that Uganda faces a significant shortage of radiotherapy equipment, making the expansion of treatment infrastructure an urgent national priority.
The programme’s longer-term ambition is to expand access to cancer treatment beyond Kampala, with Arua and Kasese identified as the next regional priorities.
The Rotary Cancer Run has therefore evolved from an annual fundraising event into a national movement for cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and hope.
Rotary Uganda remains committed to working with Government, Parliament, corporate partners, health institutions, communities and Ugandans everywhere to Create Lasting Impact in the fight against cancer.