Parliament Health Committee Raises Concern Over Cancer Treatment at UCI

What the report says

Members of Parliament’s Health Committee have raised alarm over pressure on cancer services at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), citing rising patient numbers, shortages of medicines and specialised staff, and inadequate funding. According to Nile Post, the committee visited UCI at Mulago to review treatment capacity and the management of specialised services.

UCI Executive Director Dr Jackson Orem and other specialists told the legislators that the institute is still providing care to Ugandans and some patients from neighbouring countries, but is struggling with a growing caseload and limited resources. The article says the committee was led by chairperson Dr Rude Julius Monday, who called for urgent government support and asked UCI management to provide a detailed list of what it needs to improve services and accessibility.

The institute said the high cost of specialised cancer care continues to strain its budget. It estimates it needs about $85 million to provide treatment and related services, while last year’s allocation was about Shs13 billion, or roughly $7 million, leaving a wide funding gap. The MPs also noted government support already in place, including modern equipment, but said more is needed to strengthen staffing and affordable access to care.

The committee said its findings will help shape recommendations to government on expanding cancer treatment and improving access for patients across Uganda. In general, this reflects a broader challenge in cancer care systems where demand can grow faster than staffing, medicines and infrastructure, though the article focused on UCI’s current constraints.