By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
Government is set to construct a multi-billion cancer institute at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The Institute to be called Mbarara Regional Oncology Center is set to cost Shs139 billion.
The decision was sealed in the 8th Cabinet meeting held at State House Entebbe on Monday, 24th August, 2026.
During the deliberations, cabinet approved a proposal by government to borrow 31.98 Million Euros (Shs139 billion) from the government of the French Republic for the construction and equipping of the institute.
Presently, Uganda Cancer Institute in Kampala carries all the burden of treating cancer patients and yet Uganda registers about 36,000 new cancer cases every year and yet only 8, 764 cases reached the cancer Institute.
Therefore, the construction of a regional institute in Mbarara will expand access to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen referral pathways, and support cancer prevention, outreach, early detection and care in the Western region.
