The 1st Project Management Committee (PMC) Meeting for the National Cancer Management and Capacity Building Project (CANCAP_UG), held on 26th February 2026 in Kampala, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to strengthening cervical cancer prevention and control through a strategic partnership between the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), the Ministry of Health (MoH), and the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH).
The three-year pilot initiative, implemented under a partnership agreement signed in 2023, is supported by a USD 3 million investment aimed at enhancing prevention and early detection systems to improve access to cancer care services in Uganda.
Since its inception, the project has made significant progress. To date, more than 45,000 women aged 25–65 years have been screened for cervical cancer across Kampala City, Mbarara District, and Mbarara City. Over 3,000 women who tested positive have received timely treatment for pre-cancerous lesions within the supported health facilities.
The KOFIH Uganda Country Director, Mr. Dohoon Kim, announced the introduction of AI-assisted VIA screening devices to enhance the speed and accuracy of cervical cancer screening.
“We are committed to supporting Uganda in building sustainable systems for early detection and effective management of cervical cancer,” Mr. Kim said.
The Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, emphasized that cervical cancer is preventable and treatable when detected early. He explained that early detection and management of HPV infections significantly reduce the risk of progression to cancer.
Dr. Kyabayinze expressed concern about the increasing number of women affected by cervical cancer and welcomed the collaboration between UCI and KOFIH as a critical step toward improving access to prevention and treatment services.
During the meeting, Prof. Oh Jin-kyoung from the National Cancer Center of the Republic of Korea shared Korea’s experience in strengthening cervical cancer prevention and control systems, highlighting lessons in early detection, expansion of screening programs, and integration of technology to improve outcomes.
The meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Health, Uganda Cancer Institute, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Mbarara City and District health offices, as well as consultants from the National Cancer Center of the Republic of Korea.
As the CANCAP_UG pilot project enters its final year of implementation, partners reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening health facility capacity, enhancing technical skills among health workers, and ensuring the sustainability of cervical cancer prevention and control efforts in Uganda.
