By Spy Uganda
A section of MPs on Parliament’s Health Committee has protested the free cancer treatment accessed by non-Ugandans from Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Kenya, as the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) struggles with a UGX 97 billion budget deficit.
Leading the protest, Buikwe South MP Lulume Bayiga questioned the rationale behind Uganda offering free cancer care to foreign patients while its own healthcare system faces financial strain.
“Patients from Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania are accessing cancer care free of charge. Where else in the world does this happen? Is it in the spirit of Pan-Africanism? This kind of parasitic relationship requires a framework where Ugandans come first, and other nationals access healthcare through a payment system,” Lulume argued. “Otherwise, we cannot keep advocating for an increased health budget if other countries are benefiting from our services for free.”
While Lulume’s concerns focused on cancer treatment, Obongi County MP George Bokha raised broader concerns about the strain refugees place on Uganda’s healthcare system. He questioned why the international donor community has not taken more responsibility for refugee healthcare costs, as mandated by the United Nations.
However, Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng responded that restricting free healthcare to Ugandan taxpayers is addressed in the proposed National Health Insurance Scheme Bill, which is yet to be discussed in Cabinet.
“The issue of refugees benefiting from our health facilities is captured in the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill. If passed into law, we can begin addressing this concern. For now, we cannot,” Aceng said. “Even the healthcare facilities in refugee-hosting districts were handed over to us. The Office of the Prime Minister and the UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees] are struggling financially, so I took over 34 facilities and added them to my ministry’s responsibilities.”
Questions Over Additional Funding
Soi County MP Fadhil Chemaswet asked the Health Minister to clarify why UCI recently requested an additional $18.09 million (UGX 66.163 billion) from the African Development Fund for expansion and equipment, despite an earlier loan approved 12 years ago for the same purpose.
“UCI received external financing almost 12 years ago to become a Centre of Excellence. Now, just last month, they requested more funding. Are institutions exploiting changes in Parliament by repeatedly seeking new loans? When will this cycle of external financing end?” Chemaswet questioned.
In response, Minister Aceng clarified that the loan was actually received six years ago, not 12, and was part of an East African Community (EAC) initiative to establish cancer treatment and research centers across the region.
“The initial financing focused on training and research, but since it lacked technical input, modifications were made later to include wards, treatment units, and equipment. This is why Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have all sought additional funding. Kenya has even requested more than Uganda,” Aceng explained.
Inside UCI’s Budget Deficit
Presenting the 2025/26 National Budget Framework Paper, Pian County MP Achia Remigio highlighted UCI’s severe funding gap. The Institute receives 7,000 new patients annually but was allocated only UGX 15 billion for medical supplies, far below the UGX 40 billion required, leaving a deficit of UGX 25 billion.
To enhance early cancer detection and reduce referrals abroad, UCI is developing a UGX 338 billion Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Centre, but it still faces a UGX 62 billion shortfall for completion.
Additionally, UCI requires UGX 10.6 billion to operationalize regional centers in Gulu and Mbarara to ease congestion at the main facility. However, funding for these centers has not been provided.
“The Uganda Cancer Institute is designated as a regional Centre of Excellence for cancer management. This includes prevention, screening, diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, research, and training. Establishing world-class infrastructure and equipment is costly but necessary,” Remigio emphasized.
Parliament has also recommended that UGX 3.3 billion be allocated to cover UCI’s unfunded wage bill, allowing the recruitment of medical staff to fully operationalize the newly opened cancer center in Gulu.
