PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Uganda Intensifies Fight Against Cervical Cancer: Progress, Partnerships, and the Road Ahead
Kampala, Uganda – 30/05/2025 – The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), in collaboration with its key partners including the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH), continues to make substantial strides in the fight against cervical cancer through awareness, screening, and early detection initiatives in Kampala District, Mbarara District, and Mbarara City.
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in Uganda. It is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the country. However, with ongoing concerted efforts from government and partners, significant progress has been made in screening and early diagnosis – crucial steps in reducing the burden of this preventable disease.
Role of Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI)
The Uganda Cancer Institute has taken the lead in scaling up cervical cancer prevention, screening, and diagnostic services. Through its technical leadership, training of health workers, and provision of screening services using Pap smear, HPV DNA testing, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), and colposcopy, UCI has positioned itself as a central pillar in the national cervical cancer control response.
Working alongside regional and local health facilities, UCI ensures that women in urban and peri-urban areas have access to these lifesaving services.
Support from KOFIH
The Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Health and UCI, continues to benefit from the support of international partners, notably KOFIH. KOFIH has been instrumental in funding and supporting cervical cancer screening and awareness activities in Kampala and Mbarara. This support has facilitated outreach programs, training of health workers, procurement of screening supplies, and community mobilization efforts that are key in reaching underserved populations.
Cervical Cancer Screening in Kampala: Key Achievements
In Kampala District, a robust screening program led by UCI and KOFIH has yielded significant results over the past two years:
2024 Screening Data – Kampala:
• Total Women Screened: 8,344
• HPV Tests Done: 3,847
• HPV Positive Cases: 692
• VIA Tests Done: 3,760
• VIA Positive Cases: 559
• Colposcopies Conducted at UCI: 129 (44 high-grade)
• Pap Smears at UCI: 284 (24 HSIL/ASCUS)
• HIV Positive Clients Screened: 6,377
• Histology Exams Done: 118 (14 ASCUS/ASC-H)
2025 Screening Data (to date) – Kampala:
• Total Women Screened: 4,910
• HPV Tests Done: 1,826
• HPV Positive Cases: 449
• VIA Tests Done: 2,317
• VIA Positive Cases: 274
• Colposcopy: 1
• Pap Smears at UCI: 292 (14 HSIL/ASCUS)
• HIV Positive Clients Identified: 3,913
• Histology Exams Done: 98 (1 ASCUS/ASC-H)
These statistics reflect an encouraging trend in screening uptake and early identification of precancerous lesions, especially among HIV-positive women – a population at elevated risk for cervical cancer.
Expanding to Mbarara
With support from KOFIH, the cervical cancer screening program has expanded in Mbarara District and Mbarara City. UCI, Ministry of Health and partners like KOFIH are working with regional referral hospitals and lower-level health facilities to establish screening centers, build capacity of health workers, and raise community awareness. Initial activities have focused on community mobilization, baseline assessments, and setup of HPV testing capacity.
Looking Forward
The Uganda Cancer Institute is committed to the national goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem in line with WHO’s 90-70-90 targets:
• 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15
• 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by 45
• 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment
Through the continued support of partners like KOFIH and the dedication of our health workers, Uganda is making steady progress toward this goal. The Government of Uganda remains committed to investing in cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and care, and calls upon all stakeholders – including communities – to support efforts in raising awareness and encouraging women to seek screening services.
For Media Inquiries, Please Contact:
Public Relations Office
Uganda Cancer Institute
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0708734467
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