18/08/2026
Why Are Some Ugandans Dying More From Cancer Than Others?
By Karuna....
A new study by the Uganda Cancer Institute has raised a hard question about fairness, health, and where you live: why do cancer rates differ so sharply across Uganda’s regions?
According to data published in the Daily Monitor of Tuesday, August 18, 2026, Uganda recorded 35,968 total cancer cases in 2022. But the burden is not evenly shared.
The Central (Buganda) region leads with 5,406 female and 3,995 male cases. Mid North (Lango) follows with 1,734 female and 1,327 male cases, while Busoga reports 1,685 female and 881 male cases.
At the other end, Karamuja recorded the lowest with 98 female and 126 male cases.
Other regions:
Ankole— 1,597 female, 1,760 male
Rwenzori— 839 female, 675 male
Teso— 836 female, 649 male
Bugisu — 782 female, 581 male
Kigezi — 780 female, 644 male
West Nile 640 female, 550 male
Researchers say the differences are linked to lifestyle, feeding habits, altitude, and gender, though they note “some unique variations.”
The numbers force us to ask: are health services, screening, and public education reaching every region equally? Or are geography and poverty deciding who gets diagnosed early and who doesn’t?
With alcohol use and lifestyle also flagged in today’s paper as key health risks, the fundamental question remains: Will Uganda’s cancer response target the regions hit hardest, or will the gap continue to widen?
The answer will determine thousands of lives in the years ahead.
