KAMPALA – The Cabinet has approved a plan to borrow EUR 31.98 million (about UGX 139 billion) from France to build and equip the Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre, a specialised medical facility that will ease the burden of cancer care.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was unveiled by the ICT and National Guidance Minister, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, on Tuesday, during a highly anticipated press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
The Minister further disclosed that the decision was reached during the 8th Cabinet Meeting convened on Monday, 24 August 2026, at State House, Entebbe, following thorough deliberations among ministry officials.
Cancer remains a serious and growing health challenge in Uganda, with about 36,000 new cases recorded each year, yet tragically, only 8,764 of these patients are able to reach the Uganda Cancer Institute for care.
Health analysts indicate that between 80 and 87 out of every 100 patients come for help only when the disease is already at an advanced stage, making it clear that cancer services must be brought much closer to the people.
Minister Kasule Lumumba noted that the Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala carries the heavy burden of cancer care across the country, forcing many patients to travel long distances or seek expensive treatment abroad that most families simply cannot afford.
She stated that the new Mbarara Oncology Centre will bring diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and early detection services directly to the western region, greatly easing the heavy burden on patients while supporting Uganda’s national health goals.
“The Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala has been handling cancer care for the whole country alone, forcing many patients to travel far or seek costly treatment abroad that most families cannot afford. The new Mbarara Oncology Centre will change this. It will bring full services like diagnosis, treatment, prevention and early detection to people in western Uganda, easing the burden on patients and supporting the country’s health goals,” Minister Lumumba said.
The Minister added that the Cabinet also approved hosting the Non-Aligned Movement ministerial meeting in early December, setting aside over 3.8 billion shillings to ensure a successful and well-organized event.
The Cabinet also approved four new members to join the Surveyors Registration Board, strengthening the team that upholds professional standards in land planning, infrastructure, and construction across the country.
In other developments, Uganda is slated to celebrate the International Day of Older Persons on October 1st, with President Museveni hosting a special online event from Entebbe under the inspiring theme “Ageing with Dignity.”
On agriculture, the Cabinet has since approved that the government is rolling out a new plan to distribute fertilisers to farmers nationwide, to boost crop production and support rural livelihoods through the Parish Development Model.
The Government remains committed to improving access to essential services, supporting production, strengthening public institutions, and advancing Uganda’s interests internationally.
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