Kampala has officially become the 18th city globally and the 6th in Africa to join the City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) Network.
As a global not-for-profit dedicated to transforming cancer care in resource-limited settings, C/Can empowers cities to take the lead in strengthening their own healthcare systems. By driving solutions from the ground up, it ensures that the fight against cancer is local, sustainable, and equitable.
During the launch, Isabel Mestres, the CEO of the City Cancer Challenge Foundation, reminded us that joining the network is just the first step. She noted that the real test is what happens on the ground for the patients. While it is great to join the network, the most important goal is building a system that actually works for the people who need it.
Ms. Mestres spoke about common problems many cities face, such as patients being diagnosed too late and a lack of clear treatment paths. She also noted that many hospitals have few staff and limited access to medicine. To fix these gaps, Kampala will now begin the hard work of identifying where our system is struggling and designing solutions that fit our city’s specific needs.
PCAU is the national association, and coordinates all Palliative Care civil actors to advocate for and support the integration of palliative care into the national health system. For PCAU, this achievement is important because it provides a platform to deepen the integration of palliative care into cancer services.
At the event, our Executive Director, Mr. Mark Mwesiga spoke about how the City Cancer Challenge offers Kampala an opportunity to coordinate and work more effectively while showcasing Uganda’s global leadership in cancer and palliative care.
As a country ranked top on The ATLANTES Global Observatory on Palliative Care 2025 Global Palliative Care Map, Kampala is now positioned to strengthen key practices from government to civil society collaborations and diverse initiatives like the bi-annual conference on Cancer and Palliative Care, and models of palliative care service delivery like in-patient, out-patient, community outreach, and day care. We thank the City Cancer Challenge for choosing Kampala to be part of this journey.
