Ray of Hope targets 45,000 men in prostate cancer screening drive

What the report says

Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ) has launched a prostate cancer screening push aimed at reaching 45,000 men in Busoga and nearby districts, according to The Independent Uganda. The organization says the effort is meant to improve early detection after seeing more men come forward for screening and information, with mobile teams now visiting markets, taxi parks and other busy public places in Jinja and surrounding areas.

RHHJ executive director Sylvia Nakami said the campaign began on October 1 and has been drawing about 40 men a day at outreach points. She said the hospice is expanding its annual awareness work because prostate cancer has received less attention than cancers affecting women. The initiative has also been renamed the Nile Cancer Run, replacing the previous focus on women’s cancers only.

The organization said the broader program will include prevention messages, screening, referral for treatment and follow-up care. Free prostate, breast and cervical cancer screening will be offered during the October 24 run, alongside counselling and treatment guidance. The campaign also aims to encourage families to support HPV vaccination for girls as part of cervical cancer prevention.

The report noted that prostate cancer is considered one of the leading cancers among Ugandan men. A survivor cited in the article described how early screening helped him begin treatment before the disease advanced, while local leaders said bringing services to workplaces could help overcome men’s reluctance to seek care and counter myths around the disease.