The Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, has called on Ugandans to join efforts in the fight against cancer and other preventable diseases.
Tayebwa made the call while delivering a speech on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during the mourning and burial proceedings of the late Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.
In the President’s message, Tayebwa stressed that a significant proportion of diseases can be prevented, urging medical professionals to take a more active role in educating the public about the causes and prevention of various illnesses.
He particularly highlighted cancer, pointing to factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, aflatoxin contamination in food, plastics coming into contact with food, and exposure to fumes from vehicles and boda bodas as issues Ugandans should be mindful of.
The President also called upon doctors and other health professionals to publicise information about the causes of diseases so that members of the public can take preventive measures.
“As we mourn His Highness Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, I must call on Ugandans to launch an all-out war against cancer and all the other preventable diseases. 80% of all diseases are preventable, including cancer,” the President’s message read.
He further cited alcohol, smoking, aflatoxins in foods such as improperly prepared groundnuts, plastics in food, and fumes from vehicles and boda bodas among the factors associated with health risks.
“I call on all our doctors to publish the causes of these diseases so that we avoid them. The same for other diseases,” the message added.
The call comes amid growing concern over the burden of cancer and other non-communicable diseases in Uganda, with the President urging greater emphasis on prevention, public awareness and healthier practices.
Rt. Hon. @Thomas_Tayebwa delivers H. E. @KagutaMuseveni's message: As we mourn His Highness Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, I must call on Ugandans to launch an all-out war against cancer and all the other preventable diseases. 80% of all diseases are preventable, including… pic.twitter.com/xMwO1VWDqP
— Sanyuka TV (@sanyukatv) September 12, 2026
