Health 29 August 2026 Parliament of Uganda
Parliament's Rotary Cancer Run Contribution Tops Shs10.2 Billion
Parliament has significantly boosted the Rotary Cancer Run initiative with a Shs3 billion deposit, pushing its total commitment over 15 years to Shs10.2 billion. This funding is earmarked for a vital cancer treatment center and addressing the severe shortage of radiotherapy equipment in Uganda. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4583/parliament-contribution-rotary-cancer-initiative-hits-shs102-bilion
The Parliament of Uganda has underscored its commitment to public health by contributing a substantial Shs3 billion to the Rotary Cancer Run. This latest donation brings the institution’s cumulative support for the initiative over the past 15 years to an impressive Shs10.2 billion.
The announcement was made by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth during the activation ceremony for the 15th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run, held at the Speaker’s Chambers. He emphasized that dedication to public health initiatives must remain constant, irrespective of political changes, stating, “the burden of cancer knows no politics.”
This substantial financial backing is crucial for the ongoing construction and equipping of a Cancer Treatment Centre at St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya. A key focus of the funding is to help alleviate Uganda’s critical shortage of radiotherapy equipment, a service desperately needed by the population.
Speaker Oboth, who is also a member of the Rotary Club of Kampala Platinum, not only purchased 300 running kits himself but also urged all Members of Parliament to take a leading role in mobilizing their constituencies. “I call upon colleague MPs to do the same, lead the entire population in their constituencies and together we battle this burden,” he urged.
According to Rotarian Stephen Mwanje, Chairperson of the Uganda Rotary Cancer Run, Uganda faces a severe deficit in radiotherapy services, with only three machines available for a population nearing 50 million. This starkly contrasts with the global recommendation of one machine per million people.
To address this, the Rotary fraternity aims to raise an additional Shs6 billion. The funds are intended for completing radiation bunkers by 2027 and fully installing Linear Accelerator machines by 2028. The 15th Rotary Cancer Run is set to take place on Sunday, 30 August 2026, at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, with concurrent events planned in 62 towns across Uganda and at its diplomatic missions abroad.