Cancer Attacks Africa!
No one should go through cancer alone!
Source: Uganda Alliance of Patients Organization (UAPO)
July 2025
Who we are: UAPO is a patient-driven not-for-profit civil society organization. We provide support to cancer survivors, caregivers, and families, promoting their physical, emotional, and social well-being. We empower patients and their loved ones through supportive programs, resources, and community connections. We aim to ensure that cancer survivors thrive, with access to quality care, support, and resources.
Our Vision: Patients at the center of healthcare, innovation research, and development.
Our Mission: Facilitating an environment where patients are empowered to actively engage with healthcare providers, policy makers, innovators, and researchers to improve access to quality to healthcare services.
Objectives:
- Support patients with chronic diseases and lifelong conditions to have access to quality patient-centered health-care services
- Economic empowerment of patients to improve their financial well-being and reduce their economic burden of healthcare, enabling them to make informed decisions and access necessary care without facing financial hardships
- Promote health literacy on safe medicines/use of safe medicines for quality improvement in health care service delivery system
- Stimulate and promote patient-centered research, innovation, and clinical trials to receive timely access to new treatments
- Empower patients and advocate with a strong patient’s voice on relevant aspects of healthcare policy to influence the healthcare agenda
These objectives are aimed at strengthening healthcare system capabilities for improved access and better health outcomes for patients and to contribute to achievement of person-centered Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Cancer has Attacked Africa and is a significant and growing public health problem with increasing incidence and mortality rates.
In 2020, Uganda registered 34,008 new cancer cases and 22,992 deaths, representing approximately 5 million people (11.9%) of the 42 million Ugandans.
Each year, over 35,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed, yet 80% are detected at late stages leading to devastating loss.
Survivors often face a second silent battle — isolation, depression, stigma, and lack of care post-treatment.
Most women in Uganda, a low-income country, are diagnosed at stage III or stage IV, when breast cancer is more difficult to treat. The outcome of survival is significantly lower.
The five common cancers in Uganda are …
For women: cervical cancer, breast cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma
For men: prostate, esophageal, and Kaposi sarcoma
Liver and stomach cancers are also frequently diagnosed in both sexes.
What We Do
Our Programs are informed by The National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) which is a crucial tool for bridging gaps in cancer control in Uganda. It provides a comprehensive framework for implementing cost-effective and evidence-based cancer control interventions across the cancer control continuum.
The NCCP’s holistic approach encompasses prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship, addressing the entire spectrum of cancer care.
UAPO Programs focus on promotion of chronic disease prevention, early diagnosis, and linkage to care, Cancer Survivorship programs, health literacy, patient safety, social support, health technology and advocates for access to affordability and availability of quality medicines and products.
Impact:
- 1,200+ cancer patients and survivors are directly supported with psycho-social services, nutritional counseling, and referrals.
- Community outreach in 15 districts, targeting underserved populations with cancer education, screening drives, and survivor networks.
- Media campaigns reaching over 3 million people across Uganda with life-saving information about PREVENTION, early detection, and stigma reduction.
- 50+ caregivers and community health workers trained in home-based cancer support and survivor care plans.
- Expanded our support groups of 10 members each from 2 to 5 to reach more cancer survivors, caregivers, and families, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and finding support. Our support groups covered various topics, including managing side-effects, coping with emotional challenges, and navigating healthcare systems.
- Developed and disseminated a total of 360 resources on cancer survivorship, including guides on managing side-effects, navigating healthcare systems, and accessing financial assistance. Our resources were designed to be accessible and user-friendly, addressing the unique needs of cancer survivors and caregivers.
- We engaged with a total of 68 healthcare providers, community organizations, and advocacy groups to promote cancer survivorship and supportive care. Our partnerships enabled us to reach more cancer survivors and caregivers, providing them with essential support and resources.
- We conducted evaluations of our programs to assess their effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Our evaluation results informed our strategic planning, ensuring that our programs meet the evolving needs of cancer survivors and caregivers.
- Enhanced Strategic partnerships with the Uganda Cancer Institute, Ministry of health, Uganda NCD Alliance, and Uganda Cancer society to scale impact.
Our Unique Approach
- Rural Reach: Carried out cancer awareness and support beyond hospitals into rural communities.
- Survivor-Led Advocacy: Empowered cancer survivors to lead change through storytelling, peer support, and visibility in the communities.
- Holistic Care: Addressed emotional, nutritional, financial, and mental health needs of survivors.
- Tech for Good: Used digital tools to reach young patients and distant caregivers – Whatsap and zoom platforms
What Challenges Remain?
- Despite the progress, the fight is far from over.
- Limited survivorship services outside major cities
- Late detection due to lack of awareness and stigma
- Minimal psychosocial support for survivors’ post-treatment
- Gaps in caregiver education and community support systems
- High emotional toll on patients and families, often unsupported
UAPO’s Programs are informed by The National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) which is a crucial tool for bridging gaps in cancer control in Uganda.
It provides a comprehensive framework for implementing cost-effective and evidence-based cancer control interventions across the cancer control continuum.
The NCCP’s holistic approach encompasses prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship, addressing the entire spectrum of cancer care.
By integrating cancer services into the broader health system, the NCCP ensures that cancer care is accessible, equitable, and of high quality, especially in underserved and rural areas.
UAPO Programs focus on …
Promotion of cancer prevention
Early diagnosis
Linkage to care
Survivorship and support programs
Health literacy
Patient safety
Social support
Health technology
Access to affordability and availability
of quality medicines and products
Project Objectives
To improve the quality of life of cancer survivors in Uganda by creating a supportive community, promoting healthy living, and enhancing access to care and resources.
To maintain a lifelong connection with all of our cancer patients so that they can embrace life to the fullest by offering services that meet their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of the patients, their families, and caregivers.
Project Rationale
Cancer survivorship is a critical phase that requires ongoing support and care. In Uganda, cancer survivors often face significant challenges, including limited access to healthcare, financial constraints, and social stigma.
UAPO Cancer Survivorship Community Programs aim to address these challenges by creating a supportive community, promoting healthy living, and enhancing access to care and resources.
Proposed Cancer Survivor-ship Events and Activities
- Document cancer survivor-ship demographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPS)
- Host LIVE Virtual Workshops of “Look Good and Feel Better” to address the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment presented by talented beauty professionals
Workshops will cover Skincare & Makeup, Wigs & Head Coverings, Scarf Tying Techniques, Body Image, Wardrobe & Styling and Nail Care.
Each one-hour session will be led by one of our amazing national beauty volunteers. - Survivors’ participation at Cancer Run Day in Uganda, an annual event organized to raise funds for cancer treatment and awareness. The 2025 event will be held on August 31st. The funds raised will be used to build and equip cancer treatment centers.
- Survivors’ participation at World Cancer Day and National Science Week which include screenings and awareness campaigns
- Host an educational conference or symposium targeting cancer survivors and/or caregivers at Uganda Cancer Institute Conference Hall, talking about treatment advances and offering a glimpse into the future of hope in motion
- Create a signature banner for cancer survivors to sign for display at Uganda Cancer Institute, Ministry of Health, and UAPO offices
- Make quilt squares that represent each patient’s cancer journey. All the squares will later be sewn together to create a Quilt of Hope, which will be displayed at Uganda Cancer Center Institute and UAPO offices.
- Hold a candle-lighting ceremony or candle procession to honor cancer survivors in Uganda
- Establish community physical fitness cancer groups with Zumba classes, to offer tips on exercise, health, and more
Target Group:
Reach and enroll 100 cancer survivors and their families into the program in Uganda
Based on available resources, we estimate the potential district coverage of 2-3 short distant districts with intensive outreach programs, including cancer screenings, health education, and community sensitization and data collection.
We will focus on empowering cancer survivors, awareness creation, strengthening local partnerships and collaborations.
The number of districts that can be covered depends on several factors, including the type of cancer programs, services offered, and local partnerships.
Expected Outcomes:
- Improved quality of life for cancer survivors
- Increased access to care and resources
- Enhanced support network for cancer survivors and their families
- Increased awareness and understanding of cancer survivorship issue
Join Us: Let’s Change the Cancer Story in Uganda
Cancer doesn’t end with treatment.
Survivors need care, hope, and support to reclaim their lives.
UAPO is on a mission to rewrite the cancer narrative in Uganda — from one of despair to one of resilience, dignity, and recovery.
We invite partners, health advocates, donors, media, and champions of change to stand with us. Your support will help us …
- Reach more survivors in rural Uganda
- Expand education and early detection programs
- Train more caregivers and community health workers
- Advocate for lasting health policy change
Together, we can build a Uganda where no cancer survivor is left behind.
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Uganda Alliance of Patients’ Organizations (UAPO)
For more information about the Work Plan to implement UAPO Programs and achieve the expected outcomes and Budget Estimate for the Pilot Program, please contact …
Joshua Wamboga
[email protected]
UGANDA ALLIANCE OF PATIENTS’ ORGANIZATIONS
Kiwenda, 24Km Gayaza-Zirobwe Road; Wakiso District
P.O BOX 16051
Kampala, Uganda
+256 (0) 701674040 ; 787499087
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