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Lango sickle cell stakeholders to convene ahead of Uhuru Sickle Cell Run

19 August 2026, 4:12 pm

Participants during the second edition of the Uhuru Sickle Cell Run at the former Akii Bua Stadium in Lira City.

By Baker Okello

The Catherine Phil Sickle Cell Support Initiative has organised a Lango Regional Sickle Cell Stakeholders Summit ahead of the third edition of the Uhuru Sickle Cell Run, scheduled for October 3, 2026, in Lira City.

The development was revealed by Daniel Roy Odur, a prominent public health specialist and Executive Director of the Catherine Phil Sickle Cell Support Initiative, during an engagement with our reporter.

Odur said the stakeholder engagement, scheduled for October 2, will bring together Members of Parliament, district chairpersons, District Health Officers (DHOs), Resident City/District Commissioners (RCCs/RDCs) and cultural leaders.

He explained that the summit will focus on mobilising resources to strengthen local health facilities and address factors contributing to the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the Lango Sub-region.

According to Odur, this year’s Uhuru Sickle Cell Run will not only raise awareness about the disease but also mobilise funds to purchase life-saving Hb electrophoresis machines for Aduku Health Centre IV in Kwania District and Dokolo Health Centre IV in Dokolo District.

Daniel Roy Odur explains the focus of the Lango Regional Sickle Cell Stakeholders Summit.

Meanwhile, Dr Emmanuel Obote, a paediatrician at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, said the facility is currently registering a high number of sickle cell cases, with more than 1,780 patients recorded over a period of two weeks to one month.

Dr Obote commended the Catherine Phil Sickle Cell Support Initiative for its grassroots efforts to combat the disease through targeted community outreaches and free screening exercises in high-prevalence areas across the Lango Sub-region.

Dr Emmanuel Obote highlights the high number of sickle cell patients registered at the facility.

This year’s Uhuru Sickle Cell Run is being held under the theme: “Run for Life, Run for Hope, Run Against Sickle Cell.”

The planned summit and Uhuru Sickle Cell Run are expected to strengthen collaboration among leaders, health workers, communities and development partners in the fight against sickle cell disease, while improving access to early diagnosis and essential care across Lango.