The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon Dr Chris Baryomunsi has issued a strong call to District Health Officers (DHOs) across the country to intensify public sensitization campaigns on cancer prevention.
Minister Dr Baryomunsi made the remarks yesterday while serving as chief mourner at the burial ceremony of the late Phiona Kobusingye, daughter to the Minister of State for National Guidance Hon Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku in Kasese District.
Hon Baryomunsi expressed deep concern over the rising number of young Ugandans succumbing to cancer, noting that early awareness and preventive strategies are critical in reversing the trend and emphasized that health education must be a national priority, particularly at the primary level.
The Minister directed the Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), Hon Nyombi Thembo, to ensure that all radio stations utilize their government-allocated airtime to broadcast cancer prevention messages and other public health content stating that radio remains a powerful tool in reaching and educating the masses, especially in rural communities.
Dr. Baryomunsi said that government is committed to expanding regional access to specialized cancer care and revealed that cancer treatment institutes are planned and under development in various regions, and gave an example of Gulu’s facility currently under construction, while others are planned for Mbale, Arua and Mbarara and additionally, efforts are underway to mobilize funds for establishing a center in the Toro and Rwenzori sub-regions.
The Minister also took the opportunity to call for political reconciliation and unity among Bukonzo West residents following a divisive NRM primary election and urged both voters and former candidates to put differences aside and work together for the greater good of the party and their community.
“Elections are merely a democratic means to choose representatives, not a reason to sow hatred and division. I urge all of you to reconcile, harmonize, and prioritize unity,” Minister Baryomunsi said.
The funeral ceremony brought together political leaders, religious figures and hundreds of mourners who paid tribute to the late Kobusingye, whose life was tragically cut short and the Minister delivered a condolence of Ugx 15 million from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Ugx 20 from Uganda Communications Commission, Ugx 10 from National Information Technology Authority – Uganda and Ugx 5 from himself while the rest of the Cabinet Ministers contributed Ugx 23 million.
