The year (2007) was very significant in the history of the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI). We Celebrated 40 years of existence on 8th August 2007 with a feeling of rebirth of the Institute. The UCI was established in 1967 as a center for research on childhood cancer especially the then newly described Burkett’s lymphoma. The centre was named the Uganda Cancer Institute akin to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since this was a collaborative effort between the Governments of Uganda and the United States of America. Makerere University and NCI were the joint implementing agencies. The UCI immediately made further findings related to other malignancies in both children and adults. Cancers such as Kaposi’s Sarcoma, Melanoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma were studied extensively. Risk factors, novel ways of treatment and prevention were explored. Training of clinicians and students from Uganda, USA and other countries through participation in research was part of its major preoccupation. Due to the political turmoil in the country in the seventies and early eighties, United States Government, the main funder of the Institute withdrew its support leading to a drastic scaling down of activities. Makerere University and the Ministry of Health could not sustain the programs. The breakdown in the functions of the UCI were further exacerbated by the increase in the burden of cancer in the country due to the HIV epidemic, life style changes and population increase. At a policy level the lack of emphasis of cancer as a health problem in the Health Sector Strategic Plan II has lead to limited resource allocation for cancer activities.The achievements registered in 2007 in the areas of training, research and clinical care are the first fruits of efforts to revitalize the UCI.

The Institute has acquired a state of the art mobile mammography unit from Yale University in collaboration with Makerere University College of Health Sciences.

This is the first of its kind in the country and region. Mammography is an effective means of screening for breast cancer; there are currently less than five machines in the country. This means access is limited for the majority of women.

It is our intention to pilot the provision of a mobile service in increasing access to screening services to women in the community. The availability of a fully equipped mobile van will give us the opportunity of learning as much as possible the benefit mobile mammography and its implication to our current practice and policy on management of breast cancer and cancers in general within the context of cancer control program.

The overall objective of this will be to improve outcome of Ugandan women with breast cancer through early detection by making mammography services accessible.

For operational details or if you are interested in getting involved please contact:

Dr. Jackson Orem

Director Uganda Cancer Institute

P.O.Box 3935 Kampala Uganda

Phone:+256 414 540410(Office)

            +256 782 320543

Email:    jorem@chs.mak.ac.ug or

Orem@mucwru.or.ug.