The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has sounded an urgent warning over a sharp rise in prostate cancer cases, now the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the country and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
At a recent briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Dr Fred Okuku, a consultant oncologist at UCI, described prostate cancer as an escalating public health threat—one made worse by late diagnosis, misinformation and stigma.
“Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer diagnosis among men and a major contributor to cancer fatalities nationwide,” he said.
Dr Okuku noted that most men seek medical help only when the disease has progressed to advanced stages, when treatment becomes more difficult and survival odds fall sharply. The reasons behind this pattern echo across the country: low awareness, fear of screening, and persistent myths surrounding men’s health.
Yet prostate cancer is also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when caught early. A simple, low-cost blood test, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, combined with a clinical exam, can detect abnormalities long before symptoms develop. Dr Okuku urges all men aged 45 and above to get screened annually.
“For those with a family history of cancer, screening should start even earlier,” he advised.
UCI’s clinical data points to men aged 45 and older as the most vulnerable, with the risk rising even higher for those whose families have a history of prostate, breast, or related cancers.
Still, many men wait until alarming symptoms appear, difficulty urinating, blood in urine or semen, persistent pelvic or lower back pain, by which point treatment becomes more complex and expensive. Other warning signs include frequent or sudden urges to urinate, straining, and weak or interrupted urine flow.
PROSTATE CANCER TRENDS ACROSS UGANDA
Across UCI’s regional centres, prostate cancer continues to dominate male cancer statistics. In Mbarara, it is the leading adult cancer, accounting for 18 per cent of new cases.
At the Kampala centre, it ranks third at 11 per cent, and in Gulu, it represents 13 per cent of new diagnoses. Nationally, prostate cancer accounts for 30 per cent of all male cancer cases in 2025, making it the most common cancer among men and the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer.
Dr Okuku stressed the need to debunk widespread beliefs that mislead men about their health. Contrary to popular misconceptions, he said, “factors such as having multiple sexual partners, being a bachelor, or being obese are not scientifically linked to prostate cancer.”
Instead, true risk factors include advancing age—most commonly between 60 and 70 in Uganda—family history of cancer, lack of exercise, and erectile dysfunction. Recognising these risks, he added, is crucial for prevention and early intervention.
Globally, prostate cancer has one of the highest survival rates of any malignant cancer, largely because PSA testing became standard practice in the late 1990s. Early detection allows doctors to treat the disease before it spreads.
However, Dr Okuku also acknowledged the need for balanced decision-making, noting that PSA screening can sometimes lead to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. This makes open, informed conversations between patients and health workers essential.
A LOOK AT UGANDA’S WIDER CANCER BURDEN
Uganda recorded approximately 35,968 new cancer cases and 24,629 cancer deaths in 2022, according to the World Health Organization.
The risk of developing cancer before age 75 is nearly 16 per cent. With prostate cancer making up a significant share of male cases, the UCI says public education and regular screening must become national priorities.
The Institute is urging families, communities, and health workers to help men overcome misinformation, stigma, and fear.
“We encourage all men to educate them- selves, embrace screening, and act early. This will reduce the impact of prostate cancer on our communities and improve survival,” Dr Okuku said.
The message is blunt but hopeful: prostate cancer is rising—but with awareness and early action, countless lives can be saved.
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