Uhuru Sickle Cell Run advocates call for dedicated government funding

3 October 2026, 8:15 pm

By Baker Okello

The Executive Director of the Catherine Phil Sickle Cell Support Initiative, Daniel Roy Odur, has called for dedicated national budget allocations to strengthen Uganda’s fight against sickle cell disease.

Odur made the call during the 3rd Annual Uhuru Sickle Cell Run held in Lira City, where he highlighted the need for increased investment in infrastructure, the use of community-generated data and the expansion of sickle cell management services across the country.

He commended the Ministry of Health for its efforts to roll out newborn screening but said increased government financing is urgently needed to address existing gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care.

Odur noted that current government funding and interventions remain inadequate to address the burden of sickle cell disease affecting communities across Uganda.

Meanwhile, Kole District Resident District Commissioner Gillian Akullu echoed the call for greater community involvement in addressing health challenges.

Akullu urged citizens to support locally driven initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of communities, calling on everyone to become “foot soldiers” in spreading awareness about sickle cell disease.

Dr Miriam Ajambo, the National Coordinator for Sickle Cell Disease at the Ministry of Health, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to reduce the burden of sickle cell disease in Uganda.

Dr Ajambo urged young couples and the general public to undergo sickle cell testing before making reproductive decisions, particularly to establish their carrier status and reduce the risk of passing the disease on to their children.

Representing the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, the Special Presidential Assistant on Medical Affairs, Dr Samuel Oledo Odong, commended regional health stakeholders, including national organisers and coordinators, for addressing the high burden of the genetic disease in the area by providing a hydroxyurea machine in Alebtong District.

Dr Oledo also commended the Ministry of Health for implementing the landmark mandatory newborn sickle cell screening policy.

He praised the Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, for her dedicated leadership in driving this life-saving initiative, which targets the high burden of sickle cell disease across Uganda, particularly in the Lango Sub-region.

Meanwhile, the Catherine Phil Sickle Cell Support Initiative continues to mobilise resources through charitable activities such as the annual Uhuru Sickle Cell Run.

The initiative uses proceeds from the events to independently fund and install specialised haemoglobin electrophoresis machines at health facilities in underserved districts, including Apac, Amolatar, Dokolo and Kwania, to improve access to sickle cell diagnosis.

Sickle cell advocates say sustained government investment, early testing, improved diagnostic capacity and stronger community awareness are essential to reducing the impact of the disease and improving the quality of life for affected families.