Uganda has intensified its efforts to combat oesophageal cancer through a high-level international symposium that brought together medical professionals, diplomats, policymakers, and scientists to discuss regional and global responses to the disease.
Held at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala, the Oesophageal Cancer Symposium was organized by the Uganda Embassy in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Kyabirwa Surgical Center, AFRECC, and Olympus.
Themed “Leveraging Science, Innovation and Technology to Address the Burden of Oesophageal Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the event marked the conclusion of a four-day health initiative that began with a specialized surgical camp in Jinja, where over 50 patients were treated.
The symposium highlighted Uganda’s evolving approach to health diplomacy, placing equal weight on science, community engagement, and international partnerships.
Uganda’s Ambassador to the United States, Robie Kakonge, described cancer as a “deeply human challenge,” stressing the role of embassies as not only diplomatic outposts but also drivers of development and technology transfer.
“Each diagnosis is a story of hope, resilience, and the quiet strength of families and communities,” said Amb. Kakonge.
“With limited resources and high expectations, we walk a fine line. But strategic partnerships and shared responsibility remain our greatest assets.”
She acknowledged the contributions of global partners, notably Japan and the United States, emphasizing collaboration beyond borders and aid-based models.
Japan’s Ambassador to Uganda, H.E. Takuya Sasayama, also addressed the gathering, calling the bilateral relationship with Uganda “a journey of mutual respect.”
He highlighted Japan’s donation of ambulances and medical equipment as acts of “friendship, not charity,” and encouraged joint solutions in health and sustainability.
Representing Uganda’s Ministry of Health, Dr. Charles Olaro, Director General of Health Services, reiterated the government’s priorities in early cancer detection and prevention.
He emphasized expanding HPV vaccination for girls under 14 and warned that “when we delay, we pay,” pointing to the high costs of late-stage diagnoses.
Dr. Jackson Orem, Executive Director of UCI, described the symposium as “a convergence of science, innovation, and diplomacy,” and called for more global cooperation to localize solutions.
“Innovation must be localized, and science must be democratized,” he said, urging investment not only in technology but also in knowledge co-creation.
Participants also explored the broader societal factors driving cancer rates, including lifestyle habits, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and public health awareness.
The need for a multi-sectoral response was a recurring theme, with speakers calling for tighter regulation, education, and robust community-based health systems.
The event featured emotional testimonies from cancer survivors and frontline caregivers, providing a human face to the statistics. This blend of science and storytelling lent the symposium both diplomatic gravity and moral urgency.
As the conference concluded, Uganda positioned itself as not just a recipient of aid, but as a thought leader in global cancer dialogue, advocating for equity, innovation, and shared responsibility.
