Uganda performs first local stem cell transplants
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David Bongomin Awany, a 56-year-old businessman from Uganda, received an autologous stem cell transplant at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala after doctors told him the procedure could be performed locally.
Awany had originally planned to seek treatment in India for multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting bone marrow. Dr. Henry Dungu, a haematologist at UCI, led the team that successfully completed the transplant, making Awany the second Ugandan patient to receive this treatment within the country.
Previously, Ugandans needing stem cell transplants had to travel abroad for care. The UCI is increasing its capacity to treat complex cancers and registered 8,764 new patients in 2025, a 10 percent increase from the previous year, with 67,000 outpatient visits. Health minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi noted that many patients seek care only after cancer has advanced, and he emphasized the importance of early screening and prevention.
The Ugandan government is responding to the growing demand for cancer services by investing in regional cancer centers to reduce the need for patients to travel to Kampala. Professor Damalie Nakanjako, chairperson of the UCI Board, stated the successful transplants demonstrate the institute’s growing specialized capabilities, and the UCI plans to extend the transplant program to other blood cancers as capacity increases.
