Uganda Grapples with Cervical Cancer Crisis

Every year, Uganda records 36,000 new cancer cases, of which 7,000 are cervical cancer—accounting for 20% of all cancers in the country.

As the country joins the rest of the world throughout January to mark Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Uganda is confronting a devastating reality: cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women.

With alarming statistics and limited resources, experts and survivors are calling for urgent action to combat this preventable disease.

Every year, Uganda records 36,000 new cancer cases, of which 7,000 are cervical cancer—accounting for 20% of all cancers in the country.

Among women, the statistics are even grimmer: cervical cancer contributes to a staggering 40% of all cancer cases, making it the most common cancer in Uganda.

At the Uganda Cancer Institute, cervical cancer dominates their workload, with 1,300 new cases annually.

However, the most concerning challenge is that 80% of these cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage, drastically reducing the chances of effective treatment.

Dr Nixon Niyonzima, the head of Training and Research at the Uganda Cancer Institute, said the prevalence of HPV among women in Uganda, combined with low screening uptake, has led to one of the highest cervical cancer incidence rates in the world.

"The challenge is that most cases come to us at advanced stages, making treatment outcomes poor," he said.

Late-stage diagnosis isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a tragedy that devastates families and communities. Comedian and cervical cancer survivor Veronica Tindi knows this firsthand.

She attributes her survival to early diagnosis and a strong support system, a luxury many Ugandan women don’t have.

"I was lucky to catch it early and had a great support system," Tindi shares. "But most women don’t know about screening or vaccination. By the time they seek help, it’s often too late."

Tindi emphasizes that the lack of awareness is fueling the crisis, leaving women vulnerable to unnecessary suffering and death.

Dr. Niyonzima underscores the efforts being made to decentralize cancer care and bring services closer to communities.

"We’ve worked hard to scale information to the last mile and prioritize decentralizing care. There are now regional cancer centers in Gulu, Mbale, Arua, and Mbarara, but the burden is still immense. Early screening and HPV vaccination are critical to reversing this trend."

The Uganda Cancer Institute is working to ensure that cervical cancer care, including screening and treatment, becomes more accessible across the country. However, they are also calling for collective action from the public.

As Cervical Cancer Awareness Month continues, the call to action for all Ugandans is clear. Women are urged to prioritize their health by seeking regular cervical cancer screening and receiving the HPV vaccine, which is highly effective in preventing the disease.

Tindi believes women have the power to change the narrative.

"We must take control of our health. Get screened, get vaccinated, and talk about it. The more we know, the more lives we can save."

Beyond medical interventions, breaking the stigma around cervical cancer and encouraging open conversations are vital. Communities must rally together to ensure women have access to life-saving information and services.

Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable when caught early, yet it continues to claim lives.

Key Facts to Remember:

• Cervical cancer is responsible for 20% of all registered cancer cases in the country, with 7,000 new cases each year out of the total 36,000 cancer cases.
• Cervical cancer contributes to 40% of all cancers among women in Uganda.
• 80% of cases are discovered in their late stages.