Uganda’s Cancer Crisis: Activists Call for Prevention Over Costly Treatment
Shift Media News 
KAMPALA, Uganda March 13 [SHIFTMEDIA] Last week, the Parliament of Uganda approved the borrowing of USD $18.09 million (UGX 66 billion) to fund the expansion of the Uganda Cancer Institute. The decision comes as the country faces an alarming rise in cancer cases, with 60,000 new patients diagnosed annually. Uganda currently spends between USD $100 million and $300 million (UGX 1.094 trillion) each year to send cancer patients abroad for treatment. While this investment in the Uganda Cancer Institute is expected to improve local treatment capacity, civil rights activists argue that the real battle lies in prevention rather than cure.
Dr. David Kabanda, the Executive Director of the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT), believes that the government’s focus should be on cancer prevention through public education on healthy eating habits. Speaking to health journalists at Piato Restaurant in Kampala on Wednesday, Dr. Kabanda warned that Uganda is facing a health crisis fueled by unhealthy diets.
“Ugandans are eating and drinking secrets,” Dr. Kabanda remarked, emphasizing that the rising cancer cases are linked to the consumption of processed foods loaded with salt, fat, and sugar. He pointed out that while the issue is global, Uganda’s population is particularly vulnerable due to limited consumer awareness and lax regulations on food labeling.
Dr. Kabanda also criticized industries manufacturing beverages for failing to be transparent about the contents of their products. He noted that many of these companies hide potentially harmful ingredients from consumers, making it difficult for Ugandans to make informed dietary choices.
A Fight Against Multinational Giants
Dr. Kabanda described the battle against unhealthy diets as a war against a “monster”—a reference to powerful multinational corporations that manufacture and market processed foods. “We are dealing with individuals who are so sophisticated in media issues, health issues, and stinking rich,” he said. According to him, these corporations know that their products contribute to diseases such as cancer but continue to flood markets with them due to weak regulatory frameworks and aggressive marketing strategies.
To counter this, a consortium of NGOs—including CEFROHT, SEATINI Uganda, FIAN Uganda, and CONSENT Uganda—is working to introduce Front of the Pack Labeling (FOPL) in Uganda. This labeling system is intended to provide consumers with clear, easy-to-understand information about the nutritional content of food products. Dr. Kabanda noted that this initiative, which has been successful in other countries, will empower Ugandans to make healthier dietary choices and potentially reduce cancer cases in the long term.
Martin Wambona, a Programs Associate with CEFROHT, highlighted that 78% of Ugandans access unhealthy foods through media advertisements. He urged journalists to use media advocacy and investigative techniques to expose conflicts of interest that undermine the food industry. Wambona emphasized that journalists play a crucial role in educating the public about the dangers of unhealthy foods and holding food manufacturers accountable.
A Step Towards Better Food Labeling
The push for FOPL has faced delays, primarily due to negotiations with the Ministry of Health. However, Dr. Kabanda assured journalists that significant progress has been made. “Now that we are on board with them (Ministry of Health) and have agreed on how to move forward, we have consulted widely across Uganda and are now in the final stages of releasing our findings,” he stated.
The introduction of Front of the Pack Labeling will be a game-changer in Uganda’s fight against diet-related diseases. By making it easier for consumers to identify unhealthy food products, the labeling system will encourage food manufacturers to reformulate their products with healthier ingredients. This approach aligns with global trends, where governments are increasingly holding food companies accountable for their role in public health.
Bernard Bwambale, the Programs Manager at CONSENT Uganda, urged journalists to make use of legal and policy tools such as the Uganda 1995 Constitution, the Food and Drug Act of 1959, the Public Health Act, the Food and Nutrition Policy, and the Uganda Nutrition Action Plan when reporting on health-related issues. Bwambale emphasized that many food industries in Uganda are prioritizing profits over the health of consumers, and journalists must play an active role in exposing such practices.
Shifting Focus to Prevention
Civil rights activists argue that while investment in cancer treatment facilities is necessary, it should not overshadow the need for preventive measures. By prioritizing public education, nutrition awareness, and stricter food regulations, Uganda could significantly reduce its cancer burden in the coming decades.
Dr. Kabanda and other health advocates insist that cancer prevention must be a national priority. “If we do not address the root causes of this disease, we will continue spending billions of shillings on treatment while losing thousands of lives,” he warned.
As Uganda prepares to expand the Cancer Institute, the debate over resource allocation continues. Should the country focus more on treating cancer or preventing it altogether? For activists like Dr. Kabanda, the answer is clear: prevention is the most effective—and cost-saving—weapon in the fight against cancer.
With the finalization of the Front of the Pack Labeling initiative, Ugandans may soon have a powerful tool to help them make healthier choices. However, the success of this initiative will depend on strong enforcement and continued public education.
