Business & Management
Cancer Patients Spend an Average of Shs 300,000 on a Single Visit at UCI
To access treatment and care services at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), patients spend on average 300,000 Uganda shillings on a single visit although some spend to as high as 800,000 (Figure 1). This was revealed by a study done by Makerere University in collaboration with the Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Research Administration (SICRA) and Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) with funding from the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation fund (Mak-RiF).
Conducted in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, this study titled “Impoverishing and Catastrophic Health Expenditure on Cancer Care among Persons affected by Cancer in Uganda” is among the first few in the country to estimate the catastrophic health expenditure among cancer patients receiving care in Uganda.
The study revealed that patients suffering from Prostate and Colorectal Cancers were the most affected, with their out-of-pocket expenditure greater than 600,000 per visit. Out of pocket expenditure refers to all direct payments for healthcare or services from household income or savings that patients incur at the point they receive health services.
The study also highlighted that a considerable proportion of cancer patients experience catastrophic health expenditure. “Overall, at least half of all cancer patients experienced catastrophic health expenditure on Cancer Care and treatment. 5 out of 10 patients spent at least 40% of their household income on Cancer health care,” the study findings reveal in part. Further, “Cancer patients or households with patients are unable to solely meet costs associated with cancer care. Often they depend on family, relatives, and friends’ support. However, the continuity of support coming through is not guaranteed throughout the patient’s time of sickness.” Speaking during the Dissemination and Stakeholders Engagement at UCI, Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, the Principal Investigator, noted that unemployed patients, who constituted 86% in the study, were among those who spend at least 300,000 Uganda shillings whenever they visit UCI. “This money is spent on buying missing drugs, imaging services, and tests among others,” she added.
Besides digging deep into their pockets to meet the cancer treatment costs, the findings reveal that families often sell their household property like land, animals, homes among others, in order to raise money for treatment and any related care. “The Shs300,000 is for only one visit but remember a cancer patient who is on stage one and two has to visit regularly, translating to almost Shs. 3.6 million in a year,” Dr. Francis Kiweewa, the Director Strengthening Institutional Capacity for Research Administration (SICRA) said.
The Assistant Commissioner – Non communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control Department at Ministry of Health, Uganda, Dr. Gerald Mutungi said; “At the ministry, we have adopted the approach of evidence-based policy decision making. Therefore, the policy recommendations of this study are well received.” He further said that as the Ministry waits for the passing and implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme, researchers need to investigate and come up with measures aimed at cancer prevention and control.”
Dr. Jackson Orem, the Executive Director of Uganda Cancer Institute, while responding to the study findings admitted to the growing cancer burden, which he said could only be managed through establishing regional Cancer management centers. He said “currently when you look at the statistics of the number of cancer patients we receive at UCI, 15% are from central region while 85% come from up country. What I can say is that we need to decentralize our services so that these people are able to access them with ease in their respective areas.”
Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, the Head of Research at UCI, said government should have focused interventions of increasing household income so that the patients are able meet the cancer care and treatment related expenses.
Speaking to journalists, Prof. Bruno Yawe, the Ag. Principal College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS) noted that the study speaks to the objectives of Makerere University’s strategic planning framework for the 2020–2030 period, which seeks to enhance a research-led university. He commended the multidisciplinary study team led by Dr. Allen Kabagenyi, saying that the findings were timely especially when Uganda is registering rising cancer related morbidity and mortality. He thanked the Mak-RIF Grants Management Committee representative Dr. Mercy Amiyo, for insights and continued support to researchers at Makerere University.
In Uganda, over 56,238 are living with cancer and more than 21,000 deaths were registered in 2020, according to the Globocan Cancer Statistics report. Further the report shows the top seven cancers in Uganda including; cervical cancer, Kaposis Sarcoma, breast, prostate, Non-Hodgikin Lymphoma, cancer of the liver and esophageal – account for 70% of new cancer cases. Knowing the catastrophic health expenditure on cancer care is crucially important to design strategies of providing financial protection against the rising medical expenditure by households with cancer patients.
Meet the study team
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Government of the Republic of Uganda through Makerere University Research and Innovation Fund (MAK-RiF). Special thanks to all the patients, Care Givers and Key informants who participated in this study. Graduate Assistants Mr. Ronald Wasswa and Mr. Kayemba, Makerere University.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Awards Certificates to Over 35 Officials Trained in Essentials of Public Investment Management
The Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence at Makerere University has awarded certificates to more than 35 public officials who successfully completed a three-day training in the Essentials of Public Investment Management (PIM).
The training, held from September 23rd to 26th, 2025 at the College of Business and Management Sciences, aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials to effectively identify, prepare, and implement public projects.
The closing ceremony was officiated by Ms. Belinda Bisamaza, who represented the Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury (PS/ST). In her remarks, Ms. Bisamaza commended participants for their commitment, noting that the training had offered a solid foundation in the entire PIM cycle — from project conceptualization and profiling, through monitoring and evaluation (M&E), to the use of the Integrated Bank of Projects (IBP), Environmental and Social Risk Management, and Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
“With these skills, you can contribute meaningfully to improving the quality of proposals submitted to the IBP, ensure better risk management, and enhance implementation through robust monitoring frameworks,” she said, adding that participants were now better prepared for advanced modules on financial appraisal, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Representing the PIM Centre, Prof. Eria Hisali highlighted the need for well-prepared projects that directly contribute to economic growth. “We must move away from the practice of developing projects only when funding is required. Instead, we should create a strong bank of quality projects from which government can easily draw,” he said.
The Manager of the PIM Centre, Dr. John Sseruyange, expressed gratitude to the participants and trainers for their dedication. He noted that the facilitators were drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority (NPA), and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Dr. Sseruyange also revealed that the Centre would be rolling out further in-depth training modules and creating opportunities for alumni to engage in consultancy and research work. The PIM Centre hosts the training as part of broader efforts by Makerere University, MoFPED, and NPA to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management systems, ensuring value for money, improved service delivery, and sustainable economic development.
Business & Management
PIM Centre Makerere, Graduates Second Cohort of Certificate in Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis
Jinja, September 5, 2025
Thirty-one government officers from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have successfully completed a two-week intensive training in the Certificate of Financial Implications (CFI) – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis. The certification ceremony was held at the Pearl on the Nile Hotel, Jinja, marking another milestone in Uganda’s efforts to institutionalize evidence-based and fiscally responsible policymaking.
The training, delivered by the Makerere University Public Investment Management (PIM) Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and National Planning Authority equipped participants with practical skills to evaluate policy and legislative proposals for their financial, economic, and social implications.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Paul Mwanja, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Social Services at MoFPED, who represented the Permanent Secretary, commended the officers for their commitment at a time when government institutions are finalizing the Auditor General’s audits, implementing the FY2025/26 budget, rolling out the National Development Plan IV’s tenfold growth strategy, and preparing for the 2026 General Elections.
“Your participation affirms a collective commitment across Government to strengthen the quality, transparency, and credibility of public policymaking in Uganda,” Mr. Mwanja said. He urged graduates to return to their institutions as champions of reform, share their knowledge with colleagues, and drive the change needed in Public Finance Management. He also announced that the next cohort of the training will take place in January 2026.
Prof. Ibrahim Mike Okumu, Dean of the School of Economics at Makerere University, delivered the graduation address, highlighting the certificate’s importance in addressing Uganda’s triple challenge of scale, scarcity, and speed.
“This program does something unique. It teaches you not only to ask whether a policy or project is beneficial, but also whether it is affordable and resilient under real fiscal constraints,” Prof. Okumu noted. He challenged graduates to apply their skills at project, portfolio, and policy levels—ensuring value for money and enhancing public trust in government spending.
He further emphasized that Uganda’s pioneering approach to integrated CFI-CBA positions the country as a leader in Africa and beyond: “You, Uganda’s first CFI-CBA graduates, are now part of a global brain trust. Your work will speak to investors, parliaments, development partners, and above all, the Ugandan people.”
Dr. John Sseruyange, Manager of the PIM Centre of Excellence, expressed appreciation to participants for their active engagement throughout the training and thanked MoFPED and the faculty drawn from Makerere University, the National Planning Authority, Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Energy for their technical support.
The Certificate of Financial Implications – Integrated Regulatory Cost-Benefit Analysis was introduced following the Revised Guidelines for Financial Clearance, effective July 1, 2025. The guidelines require MDAs to prepare their own financial implications statements, subject to rigorous cost-benefit analysis, thereby strengthening linkages between fiscal responsibility and regulatory impact assessments.
With the successful completion of the second cohort, Uganda is steadily building a critical mass of professionals capable of embedding cost-benefit thinking across government, ensuring every shilling delivers maximum impact for citizens.
The Public Investment Management Centre of Excellence (PIM CoE) at Makerere University held its Steering Committee meeting on 4th September 2025 at Mestil Hotel in Kampala. The session, attended by all members, focused on reviewing progress, reflecting on achievements from the past financial year, and charting the way forward for the Centre.
About the PIM Centre of Excellence
The PIM CoE was established in March 2022 at Makerere University’s College of Business and Management Sciences (CoBAMS), in partnership with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Its purpose is to strengthen Uganda’s public investment management system through training, research, and advisory services.
The Steering Committee plays a critical role in oversight, review, coordination, and advisory functions, guiding the Centre’s work and ensuring that public investment processes align with national development priorities.
Highlights from the Meeting
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, praised the October 2024 Annual PIM Conference for expanding perspectives on project design and delivery. He emphasized the importance of shifting from theory to practice in training, advocating for students and officials to engage with real-world projects. He also underscored the Centre’s new autonomy—transitioning from a subvention to a vote—which gives it greater independence but also demands stronger financial accountability. Dr. Muvawala further called for a permanent physical home for the Centre, noting that sufficient resources are available to make this possible and that negotiations with government are underway.
Mr. Ashaba Hannington, Director Budget at MoFPED, shared key achievements from the 2024/25 financial year. He noted that the Annual PIM Conference, organised jointly by MoFPED and the Centre, provided a vital platform for stakeholders to reflect on progress in public investment management.
Mr. Ashaba reaffirmed MoFPED’s commitment to working closely with the Centre to strengthen Uganda’s public investment capacity.
Prof. Eria Hisali, Co–Principal Investigator of the PIM CoE, outlined strategies to increase the Centre’s vibrancy and impact. He emphasized direct project engagement, advisory services, and peer reviews as ways to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Looking ahead, he revealed plans for a Master’s program in Economic and Investment Modelling, a Training of Trainers (ToT) initiative, and deeper practical capacity-building efforts.
Prof. Hisali also noted several successful trainings from the past year, including:
- 46 staff from MDAs trained in Essentials of PIM.
- 59 participants across two cohorts trained in Financial Appraisal and Risk Analysis.
- 25 participants trained in Economic Appraisal and Stakeholder Analysis.
He proposed the introduction of a “trailer feasibility test” to evaluate whether completed projects deliver benefits as projected and to address optimism bias in project planning.
Dr. John Seruyange, Manager of the PIM CoE, highlighted the Centre’s growing regional footprint. Beyond Uganda, six central government officers from Somalia have been trained in Infrastructure Asset Management, generating further interest in advanced training from Somalia, Zimbabwe, and Somaliland. To position itself as a regional hub, the Centre is preparing a prospectus to market its courses across Africa and beyond.
Why It Matters
The Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the PIM CoE remains a leading think tank and capacity-building hub for government and regional partners. By improving the appraisal, financing, and implementation of public projects, the Centre is strengthening accountability, enhancing service delivery, and contributing to Uganda’s broader development goals.
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