Uganda Cancer Trust UK

Who we are

Like many things in life we didn’t think about the problem of cancer in Uganda until it affected someone we cared about. In the case of Uganda Cancer Trust UK, we started the charity because of the experience of our friend Lydia, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. Initially we sought to raise money for her treatment, but it soon became apparent that Lydia’s experiences were not unique and that the treatment and care of people with cancer in Uganda was very different to UK, where cancer treatment is free and there are many organisations which have been set up to support those with cancer. Lydia was lucky she was able to get support and funding for her treatment. Many in Uganda are not so lucky. 

While we recognised that cancer is a huge issue in Uganda, as a small charity we wanted to focus our efforts and money where we could make the biggest difference. We are very aware that good intentions do not always lead to effective and sustainable aid. This is why the first thing we did was to get an expert (Professor Annie Young) to go to Uganda to look at cancer care there and help us work out the most effective way we could make a difference. Her input drove the development of our first strategic plan.

Today we can see promising changes in Uganda. Treatment and outcomes are improving but there is still a clear gap in the information provided to patients and many people feel disempowered and unclear on what is happening to them, the treatment they need and where they can go for support. This still echoes Lydia’s experience. So our focus is on helping support the patient through their treatment. 

Being based in the UK, we are aware that any support we give must locally owned and delivered in order to make it relevant and sustainable. To ensure this, we have developed strong partnerships with local organisations, Makerere and Mulago Palliative Care Unit (MMPCU), and Uganda Cancer Society (UCS) as well as with UK charities working in a similar way in Uganda e.g. Advantage Africa.

Through targeting what we are trying to do, researching thoroughly the best way to spend our money, and partnering with accountable and effective local organisations we have made a big difference with a relatively small amount of money. We are so proud of what we've achieved to date.

Our vision

To focus on the journey of a cancer patient identifying where Uganda Cancer Trust UK can best add value, enabling the community as a whole to improve the patient experience and empowering the patient (through the provision of information and support) to make decisions about their treatment.

Our purpose

Uganda Cancer Trust UK is a UK based charity raising money to support cancer treatment, education and care in Uganda.  We are a small charity with big ambitions.  By working with local partners in Uganda and others already engaged in these issues we can make a difference.

• We support Ugandan organisations trying to improve support for cancer patients, their carers and families.

• We support individuals suffering from cancer in Uganda, where the treatment needed far exceeds their ability to pay.

• We raise awareness in the UK of the growing problem of cancer in Uganda