KAMPALA — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pledged Shs10 million towards the 15th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run and mobilised Uganda’s diplomatic missions abroad to participate in the campaign aimed at raising funds for cancer treatment.
The commitment was announced Monday during a media activation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala, ahead of the August 30, 2026 run.
The run will be held under the theme “Gwanga Mujje”, with the main event at Kololo Independence Grounds and parallel runs expected in towns across Uganda and at Ugandan diplomatic missions abroad.
The organisers are targeting 100,000 participants and Shs5 billion, which will be used to complete and equip the cancer treatment centre at St Francis Hospital Nsambya, including the acquisition of a modern Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine for advanced radiotherapy.
Ambassador Charles Ssentongo, who represented the Permanent Secretary at the activation, said the ministry regarded the campaign as part of its wider commitment to social causes and health diplomacy.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always been a key partner in the Rotary Cancer Run, both as an institution and through its members of staff, some of whom are Rotarians, including myself, as well as through our missions abroad, members of the diplomatic community and other expatriates,” Ssentongo said.
He said the ministry had mobilised diplomatic missions to participate and create awareness about cancer in different parts of the world.
“Our missions have a coverage of 24 hours. Those in East Africa will be running with us; those in the United States will be about eight hours behind; and those in Asia will be several hours ahead,” he said. “So you are going to see a lot of activity from our missions.”
Missions join campaign
Ssentongo said several Ugandan missions had already committed participants, with Beijing committing 84 kits, Guangzhou 50, Geneva 100, Nairobi 100, Kuala Lumpur 200, Thailand 50 and Cairo 150.
The Uganda mission in Berlin had also committed participants, while other missions were expected to announce their participation before the run.
The ministry itself expects strong participation from its staff, with Ssentongo saying about 95 percent of staff are expected to take part.
He urged Ugandans to support the campaign by registering and encouraging others to participate. “Either encourage your people at home to buy them, or buy for them, so that we multiply our contribution to these causes,” he said.
The ministry’s participation effectively extends the campaign beyond Uganda’s borders, with diplomats expected to use their missions’ communication platforms to promote cancer awareness and mobilise support.
Rotary targets Shs5 billion
Rotarian Meddie Lutaaya, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Rotary Cancer Run 2026, said the event had grown beyond a sporting activity into a major investment in Uganda’s health system. “The Cancer Run is not just a run. It is a very significant investment in healthcare for cancer in this country,” Lutaaya said.
He said Uganda records about 36,000 new cancer diagnoses annually, with a large proportion of patients dying within the first year, largely because of late diagnosis. “What that means is that, in a sense, a cancer diagnosis is close to a death sentence. And the reason is late diagnosis,” Lutaaya said.
He said awareness was therefore central to the campaign, arguing that early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes. “The Rotary Cancer Run has mobilized UGX 8.21 billion since inception, consistently attracts over 200,000 participants annually across Uganda and in the diaspora, has facilitated over 50,000 cancer screenings through community medical camps, and has contributed UGX 1.5 billion toward the establishment of the Mengo Blood Bank,” Lutaaya said.
The Rotary Cancer Programme has previously supported cancer-care infrastructure at Nsambya, including the 36-bed Rotary Centenary Cancer Ward and a blood bank that provides thousands of units of blood annually.
Lutaaya said the one-stop cancer treatment centre being constructed at Nsambya is about 60 percent complete. The project requires approximately Shs14 billion, of which about Shs6 billion has so far been raised, according to Lutaaya.
The centre is expected to house two Linear Accelerator machines, which provide radiotherapy for cancer patients. “We are going to set up this facility, and it will house two linear accelerators. These machines will provide advanced cancer treatment,” he said.
The Rotary programme also plans to establish a mobile cancer treatment clinic to take services to communities where access to specialised cancer care remains difficult.
‘Gwanga Mujje’ becomes a global call
Lutaaya said this year’s theme, “Gwanga Mujje,” was intended as a call for communities and nations to come together against cancer.
He linked the theme to the traditional African practice of sounding drums to summon people when an important message needed to be delivered. “We are saying: ‘Gwanga Mujje — nations, come forth,’” he said.
He called on churches, families, alumni associations, social clubs and other groups to mobilise for the run. “Because today it is someone else. All of us in this room are candidates in this college called cancer,” Lutaaya said. “But the earlier we act and agree on our collective efforts to curb it, the better it will be for all of us.”
The Rotary Cancer Run, which began in 2012, has become one of Uganda’s largest health-focused fundraising events. This year’s campaign combines fundraising with cancer awareness and early detection, with screening activities expected to accompany the mobilisation.
