EDITOR
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has directed a national push to intensify cancer prevention awareness, calling on District Health Officers (DHOs) and media outlets to urgently mobilize communities against the rising threat of cancer in Uganda.
Speaking during a visit to Kasese District, where he served as chief mourner at the burial of the late Phiona Kobusingye, daughter to Minister of State for National Guidance Hon. Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku, Dr. Baryomunsi shifted attention to the urgent need for widespread health education on cancer prevention.
He expressed alarm at the growing number of young Ugandans dying from cancer and emphasized that early detection and lifestyle awareness remain key tools in reversing this trend. “We must prioritize health education starting from the grassroots, especially at the primary school level,” Baryomunsi said.
The Minister issued a directive to Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Hon. Nyombi Thembo, to ensure that all radio stations use their government-mandated airtime to broadcast cancer prevention messages. He said radio remains the most effective means of reaching rural populations with essential health information.
In a broader policy move, Dr. Baryomunsi reaffirmed government commitment to decentralize specialized cancer treatment. He cited ongoing efforts to construct regional cancer centers in Gulu, Mbale, Arua, and Mbarara, with plans to mobilize funding for a similar facility in the Toro and Rwenzori sub-regions. “No Ugandan should have to travel across the country to access cancer care,” he added.
Beyond health, the Minister also used the occasion to encourage political healing in Bukonzo West following recent divisions in the NRM primaries, urging leaders and residents to prioritize unity for development.
While the ceremony was a moment of mourning, it became a platform for renewed commitment to saving lives and building stronger public health systems. Contributions from President Museveni (UGX 15 million), UCC (UGX 20 million), NITA-U (UGX 10 million), and other Cabinet members underscored the collective support for the bereaved family and the importance of solidarity in times of loss.
