Cabinet has approved a proposal for government to borrow up to €31.98 million (about Shs139 billion) from the Government of France to finance the construction and equipping of the Uganda Cancer Institute’s Mbarara Regional Oncology Centre.
While briefing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre on Tuesday, the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Justine Kasule Lumumba, said the decision was reached during the eighth Cabinet meeting held at State House, Entebbe, on Monday, August 24, 2026.
According to the Cabinet statement, cancer remains a major public health challenge, with Uganda recording about 36,000 new cancer cases annually based on Uganda Cancer Institute statistics for 2025.
However, only 8,764 of these cases reached the Uganda Cancer Institute at Mulago, while between 80 and 87 per cent of patients present with the disease at an advanced stage.
The new oncology centre is expected to help bridge the gap by bringing specialised cancer services closer to people in western Uganda. It will expand access to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen referral pathways and support cancer prevention, outreach, early detection and care.
The investment is also expected to reduce the financial and emotional burden on patients and their families, many of whom currently have to travel long distances to Kampala or seek treatment abroad.
Cabinet also approved preparations for Uganda to host the final statutory ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement from December 2 to 4, 2026, under the country’s current chairmanship.
Uganda assumed the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement for the 2024–2027 period after hosting the 19th NAM Summit in January 2024.
Cabinet further approved the appointment of four members to the Surveyors Registration Board: Dr Sophia Naguja Mugumba, Okwana Daniel, Alowo Patricia Namulembwa and Kyalirizo Anthony Mark.
The board, established under the Surveyors Registration Act, is responsible for the registration and regulation of surveyors in Uganda, with Cabinet noting the profession’s importance to land administration, physical development and infrastructure.
On agriculture, Cabinet considered the procurement, supply and distribution of fertilisers to farmers across the country through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The intervention is intended to increase the production and productivity of strategic crops and support beneficiaries under the Parish Development Model.
Cabinet also approved arrangements for Uganda’s commemoration of the International Day of Older Persons on October 1, 2026, under the theme, “Ageing with Dignity: Strengthening Care and Support Systems.”
The event will be hosted virtually from State House, Entebbe, with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni as the chief guest.
