Uganda Reports 25 Percent Rise in Cancer Cases as Officials Call for Joint Action

Cancer cases in Uganda have increased by 25 percent, according to the Ministry of Health’s Annual Health Sub-programme Performance Report for the 2025/2026 financial year. The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) registered 10,480 new patients during the period, compared to 8,372 in the previous year, alongside more than 700 children diagnosed with the condition.

Cervical cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed form of the disease, accounting for 1,572 cases or 15 percent of all newly diagnosed patients. Breast cancer followed closely with 1,152 cases, while prostate cancer recorded 1,048 cases. Women represented a larger share of adult patients at 56 percent, compared to 44 percent for men.

Speaking at the launch of Project PRISMA—a €12.75 million Italian-funded healthcare initiative—Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomusi warned that the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) threatens the national healthcare system. Dr. Baryomusi noted that Uganda faces a dual disease burden of communicable and non-communicable ailments, complicated by a rising life expectancy of 68 years.

Health experts and stakeholders are advocating for a multi-pronged approach to tackle the growing health crisis. Mr. John Makoha, the AVSI country representative, highlighted regional disparities in healthcare access, particularly in areas like Moroto and Kotido. Meanwhile, Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, head of research and training at the UCI, proposed integrating artificial intelligence trained on local data into regional health centers to bridge the gap in specialized personnel.

The three-year Italian-supported programme aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and benefit approximately 500,000 women and children in northern Uganda through better prevention, research, and integrated services.

Read more about the rising cancer statistics on the Daily Monitor.