Uganda’s Parliament has endorsed a proposal to secure a $18.09 million (UGX 66 billion) loan to finance the expansion of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). The government argues that this investment will help curb the enormous cost Ugandans incur seeking cancer treatment abroad, particularly in India and the United States, which amounts to over UGX 1 trillion annually.
The loan will be sourced from the African Development Fund as part of the East Africa Centres of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences Project. The funding request was approved during a plenary session on March 5, 2025, after the government cited challenges in the initial phase of the project, including delays and changes in scope.
State Minister for Finance, Henry Musasizi, defended the loan, pointing to the increasing number of cancer cases in Uganda.
“Each year, we register approximately 60,000 new cancer cases. While most patients seek treatment locally, a significant number still travel abroad, costing the country between $100 million and $300 million annually. This project aims to minimize such expenses by enhancing local capacity,” Musasizi explained.
A key component of the expansion will be the introduction of Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) services, a crucial step in the treatment of blood cancers. Musasizi assured Parliament that the loan terms were favorable, highlighting its 50-year repayment period, a 10-year grace period, and a minimal service charge of 1% per year.
The proposal garnered widespread support, with many legislators emphasizing the urgent need to improve Uganda’s cancer treatment infrastructure.
Emmanuel Otaala (West Budama South) welcomed the move, stating that building a strong healthcare system should be a priority.
“Our biggest challenge in Africa is strengthening our healthcare sector. Many Ugandan doctors are working in foreign hospitals because of better facilities. This investment will enable us to create a robust medical system at home,” Otaala said.
However, some MPs raised concerns over the country’s growing debt burden. Seth Wambede (Mbale City North) acknowledged the necessity of the loan but questioned Uganda’s continued reliance on borrowing.
“The conditions at Mulago’s Cancer Institute are dire, making this funding necessary. But we must ask ourselves: how sustainable is our increasing dependence on loans?” Wambede asked.
Richard Gafabusa (Bwamba County) shared his personal connection to the issue, recounting the loss of family members to cancer.
“I have lost four relatives to cancer in the past three years. The current conditions at the Cancer Institute are heartbreaking. This loan should have been secured much earlier to build the infrastructure we desperately need,” Gafabusa stated.
Santa Alum (Oyam DWR) echoed similar sentiments, recalling her late father’s struggles at UCI.
“Patients are forced to sleep on verandas when it rains due to overcrowding, and medication is prohibitively expensive. For the sake of our people, we must not delay this loan approval,” she urged.
Margaret Rwabushaija (Workers MP) emphasized the importance of research, stating that increased investment is needed to determine the root causes of cancer.
“When you visit Mulago, you see 30–50 children suffering from cancer without enough beds. We must go beyond treatment and focus on understanding why cases are rising,” she suggested.
The expansion falls under the East Africa Centres of Excellence for Skills and Tertiary Education in Biomedical Sciences Project, which Parliament first approved in 2015. Co-funded by the African Development Bank and the Government of Uganda, the initiative aims to improve cancer education, clinical training, research, and patient care in Uganda and the East African region.
Initially conceptualized in 2012, when Uganda had a population of 35 million and only 20 oncologists, the project was meant to fill a critical gap in specialized cancer care. However, with the country now recording over 60,000 new cases annually, the demand for advanced treatment has grown exponentially. The establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Oncological Sciences seeks to train specialized medical professionals and enhance cancer research.
Musasizi acknowledged that delays had affected the project’s progress, citing factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains, and financial difficulties faced by the main contractor. These setbacks have slowed the construction of a multipurpose building and affected the procurement of laboratory equipment, imaging technology, ICT systems, and furniture.
“The delays have impacted our ability to deliver essential services, leaving over 500 adult patients on the waiting list for nuclear medicine. Addressing this backlog and improving facilities remains a government priority,” Musasizi said.
The African Development Bank has recognized that the funding gap arose due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Ugandan authorities or project implementers. Without additional financing, the intended project outcomes would not be achieved.
Despite broad support for the loan, some lawmakers criticized the government’s approach to project financing. Robert Migadde, Vice Chairperson of the Committee on National Economy, raised concerns over frequent requests for additional funding.
“We have seen similar requests for ongoing projects like the Masaka-Mutula Road and the Greater Kampala Road projects. This trend suggests inadequate planning, leading to cost overruns and increased financial strain. The government must work to minimize these variations in project scope,” Migadde argued.
Nevertheless, Parliament was assured that once completed, the new facilities at UCI would be instrumental in training students from Makerere University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and Gulu University.
With this approval, Uganda takes a significant step toward enhancing its cancer treatment capabilities, ultimately reducing the need for expensive medical referrals abroad.
