Foreign Affairs Ministry Pledges Shs10m for Rotary Cancer Run, Advocates Early Screening

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has demonstrated its commitment to combating cancer by pledging Shs10 million towards this year’s Rotary Cancer Run, scheduled for Sunday. Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, the ministry’s Chief of Protocol, announced the donation, highlighting a long-standing partnership with the Rotary Cancer Run aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing resources.

Ambassador Ssentongo stated that the ministry’s support for the initiative aligns with its broader objective of engaging in social causes, particularly in health. “This partnership reflects our broader commitment to being part of advancing various social causes, notably health causes, which are aimed at raising awareness and funding for the various health challenges our country faces,” he remarked.

Beyond the financial contribution, the ministry is also encouraging Uganda’s diplomatic missions worldwide to participate in the run. Missions in cities such as Nairobi, New York, Paris, and Beijing have already confirmed their involvement, with staff set to engage in the run from their respective locations and utilize the event to spread cancer awareness.

Meddie Lutaaya, the Chairman of the Rotary Cancer Run, expressed gratitude for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ continued support. However, he emphasized the critical importance of early cancer screening, noting that timely detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.

Lutaaya revealed that Uganda faces a significant cancer burden, with approximately 36,000 new cases diagnosed annually. A concerning statistic is that a large percentage of these patients seek medical help only when the disease has reached an advanced stage, leading to a high mortality rate. “What that means is that, in essence, the cancer diagnosis is close to a death sentence. And the reason is because of late diagnosis,” Lutaaya explained, urging Ugandans to prioritize regular screenings and seek prompt medical attention. This year’s Rotary Cancer Run aims to raise a total of Shs5 billion.