Government Approves €31.98m Loan for Mbarara Regional Cancer Centre

August 25, 2026 in by Editor

Government has approved a €31.98 million (about Shs139 billion) French loan to construct and equip the Uganda Cancer Institute’s Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre, expanding access to specialised cancer care in western Uganda.

 

Cabinet has approved Government’s borrowing of up to €31.98 million (about Shs139 billion) from France to finance the construction and equipping of the Uganda Cancer Institute’s Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre.

The decision, taken at Cabinet’s eighth meeting on Monday, is aimed at expanding access to specialised cancer diagnosis and treatment beyond Kampala as Uganda grapples with a growing cancer burden.

According to Uganda Cancer Institute statistics cited by Government, the country records about 36,000 new cancer cases annually, but only 8,764 patients reached the Uganda Cancer Institute at Mulago in 2025.

Between 80pc and 87pc of cancer patients also present for treatment when the disease is already at an advanced stage, highlighting the need for earlier detection and wider access to specialised care.

The planned Mbarara centre is expected to serve patients from western Uganda, reducing the need for long and costly journeys to Kampala and easing pressure on the national cancer treatment facility at Mulago.

Government said the centre will expand access to cancer diagnosis and treatment while strengthening referral systems, prevention, outreach, early detection and cancer care across the region.

The investment is part of efforts to strengthen health infrastructure and advance universal health coverage, while reducing the financial and emotional burden cancer places on patients and their families.

The French financing will cover both the construction and equipping of the facility, although Cabinet did not provide a construction timetable or details of the loan terms.

The cancer centre was among several decisions taken during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, which also considered Uganda’s chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement, professional regulation, the welfare of older persons and agricultural production.

Cabinet approved preparations for Uganda to host the final statutory ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement from 2 to 4 December 2026.

Uganda has chaired the movement for the 2024–2027 period after hosting the 19th NAM Summit in January 2024.

Cabinet also approved the appointment of four members to the Surveyors Registration Board: Dr Sophia Nagujja Mugumbu, Okwana Daniel, Alowo Patricia Namulembwa and Kyalirizo Anthony Mark.

The board regulates the surveying profession, which Government said is central to land administration, physical development, infrastructure delivery and construction cost management.

Meanwhile, Cabinet approved arrangements for Uganda’s commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons on 1 October 2026 under the theme “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems.”

The event will be hosted virtually from State House, Entebbe, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as chief guest.

In agriculture, Cabinet approved the procurement, supply and distribution of fertilisers to farmers in different parts of the country. The intervention is intended to raise production and productivity of strategic crops and support beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries will provide details on the targeted crops, beneficiary areas and distribution arrangements.