Following the death of Tooro’s former King, Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, renewed public attention has been drawn to Uganda’s capacity to diagnose and treat cancer, particularly the absence of a PET scan.
The debate followed reports that the late King travelled to Nairobi for specialised cancer investigations after earlier medical assessments in Kampala. A PET scan can help doctors identify and monitor cancer by showing changes in the activity of cells and tissues that may not be detected through other imaging methods.
Responding to the concerns, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine said Government has allocated Shs180 billion towards establishing a global-standard PET and Nuclear Medicine facility.
Atwine said the facility will have three PET machines and a cyclotron, which will produce the radioisotopes required for PET imaging.
She added that the first PET machine is expected this month and is planned to be fully operational by the end of the year.
The project will also include nuclear medicine treatment facilities, while a SPECT scan has already been installed. Other planned components include cold-kit production units, interventional radiology suites, endoscopy and colonoscopy facilities at the Uganda Cancer Institute.
Government is also expanding cancer services outside Kampala, with regional cancer centres planned or under development in Arua, Mbale and Mbarara, while the Gulu regional cancer centre is already operational.
The Uganda Cancer Institute has separately indicated that PET scan services are expected to become available to Ugandans by December 2026, with the PET bunker ready and the machine being shipped.
The Ministry says the investment is intended to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment and bring specialised services closer to patients across the country.
