Uganda’s Parliament has renewed calls for the urgent procurement of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner, emphasizing that the lack of this critical diagnostic tool has led to preventable cancer deaths and costly overseas medical referrals.
During a plenary sitting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged the Ministry of Finance to honor its commitment to provide Shs62 billion for the PET machine. This advanced imaging equipment is essential for early cancer detection and for monitoring treatment effectiveness.
“This business of sending people abroad for cancer treatment, when it could have been detected much earlier, must stop,” Tayebwa asserted, reflecting a shared concern among lawmakers.
According to the Health Committee, the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) requires Shs338 billion to fully develop a PET Centre in phases. However, only Shs30 billion has been allocated to date, leaving a Shs62 billion shortfall specifically for the acquisition of the PET machine.
Tayebwa reminded the House that the Ministry of Finance had previously pledged to raise the required amount, with Shs35 billion already earmarked and the remainder expected through a supplementary allocation.
The urgency of the matter was echoed by Health Committee Chairperson, Hon. Joseph Ruyonga, who highlighted the economic and medical benefits of conducting PET scans locally.
“The cost of PET scans in Uganda will be only 30 percent of what one would spend abroad,” he noted.
The Committee’s report recommended immediate government action to fund the PET facility, emphasizing that it supports Uganda’s vision of becoming a regional hub for cancer care.
Several MPs painted a bleak picture of cancer diagnosis in Uganda. Hon. Sarah Opendi, Woman MP for Tororo District, expressed concern that many patients are diagnosed only at advanced stages of the disease, significantly reducing survival rates.
“We register about 7,000 cancer patients a year, but many others go undiagnosed. Often, cancer is only discovered when it’s already at stage four,” Opendi said, attributing the delays to misdiagnosis and limited diagnostic capacity.
Hon. John Teira (Bugabula North) called for expanded investment in diagnostic infrastructure at the district level, advocating for broader access to screening services beyond the national referral hospital at Mulago.
Hon. Santa Alum (UPC, Oyam District) added a personal note, recounting her experience at the overcrowded UCI while caring for her late father.
“The congestion I experienced was alarming. Let’s procure the PET machine and also prioritize decongesting the institute at Mulago,” she urged.
To address this, Parliament recommended allocating Shs7.1 billion to operationalize regional cancer centres in Mbarara and Gulu, which remain underfunded despite their critical role in decentralizing cancer services.
Responding to MPs, the Minister of State for Health (General Duties), Hon. Anifa Kawooya, acknowledged the prolonged delays. She reassured Parliament that the PET machine is included in the upcoming financial year’s budget.
“In Cabinet, we have emphasized that this is an urgent and high-priority matter,” Kawooya said.
This renewed parliamentary push highlights a broader concern over the need for domestic investment in specialized healthcare. Despite rising cancer cases, Uganda still relies heavily on external referrals—an approach that not only depletes public funds but also imposes emotional and financial burdens on patients and their families.
If implemented, the PET Centre would represent a major milestone in Uganda’s fight against cancer—offering earlier diagnoses, improving survival rates, and enhancing the country’s standing as a regional medical destination.