Baylor College of Medicine
Children’s Foundation - Uganda
Children’s Foundation - Uganda
Baylor Foundation Uganda is proud to be part of this transformative journey, led by our key partner, Texas Children’s Global HOPE.
Today, Dr. Dithan Kiragga, Executive Director of Baylor Foundation Uganda, and Dr. Denise Birungi, Director of Medical Programmes, joined the Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, for a landmark occasion. The event was held at the Makerere University Main Hall and brought together key partners, including the Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Mulago National Referral Hospital, the Joint Clinical Research Center and Texas Children’s Global HOPE (Global Hematology Oncology Pediatric Excellence) team led by Dr. Joseph Lubega.
Also in attendance were representatives from development partners namely: Sky High Foundation, The ELMA Philanthropies, Lions Clubs International, and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation. Together, they witnessed the graduation of 16 Pediatric Hematology and Oncology fellows from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cancer is a major and growing public health concern, with thousands of children and adults affected annually. In Uganda alone, around 7,000 children and adults are affected annually and less than 50% receive timely treatment. Uganda also ranks among the top five countries globally with the highest burden of sickle cell disease and it is estimated that around 20,000 babies are born with it, every year.
To address these challenges, the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Fellowship was established to build a critical mass of super-specialists capable of delivering lifesaving care to children with cancer and blood disorders across the region. The Vice Chancellor underscored the importance of such Africa-led training initiatives in tackling the continent’s burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. He applauded the collective efforts of partners who made the fellowship program possible.
The Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital (NRH), Dr. Rosemary Byanyima in her remarks, noted how she was happy to have a program of this nature that improves clinical outcomes. Mulago NRH is the largest children’s cancer and blood diseases center in Africa—and one of the largest in the world. Each year, it treats about 400 new pediatric cancer patients and thousands with sickle cell disease. The center now has nine specialists, including the only pediatric neuro-oncologist in the region.
Dr. Joseph Lubega of the Texas Global Health Program shared a deeply personal reflection. In 1999, he met a vibrant eight-year-old girl named Victoria. She died from cancer after being denied a chance at treatment—an experience that moved him to action. Her story became the spark that led to the creation of a specialist training program now impacting numerous children across the region.
Mr. Richard Mugahi, Commissioner for Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Reproductive Health, represented the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health. He applauded the partnership with Makerere University and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to childhood cancer care. He also highlighted the government’s ongoing investment in regional cancer centers—already operational in Gulu and soon to be launched in Arua, Mbarara, and Mbale.
“We are proud to be part of this partnership with the Texas Global Health Program,” said Dr. Dithan Kiragga, Executive Director of Baylor Foundation Uganda. “Every fellow graduating today is already making a life-saving difference for children living with cancer and blood disorders across the country and the region.”
