GWANGA MUJJE! Centenary Bank Powers Cancer Run 2026 With Sh500m
Centenary Bank’s Executive Director, Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe (2ND LEFT) reaffirmed the bank’s 15-year partnership with Rotary Uganda and immediately electrified the gathering by handing over a UGX 500 million cheque contribution to the 2026 edition
By Venenscias Kiiza
It was more than a launch. It was a statement of financial muscle, compassion and innovation as Centenary Bank took centre stage at the official unveiling of the 2026 Cancer Run at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya yesterday, Friday, 27 February, 2026.
At the heart of the event was Centenary Bank’s Executive Director, Joseph Kiwanuka Balikuddembe, who delivered a powerful message: the fight against cancer demands collective action — and the bank is putting its money where its mouth is.
Balikuddembe reaffirmed the bank’s 15-year partnership with Rotary Uganda and immediately electrified the gathering by announcing a UGX 500 million contribution to the 2026 edition.
That announcement pushes Centenary Bank’s cumulative support to over UGX 3 billion — a staggering show of commitment that includes co-founding the Rotary Cancer Centre at Nsambya Hospital.
“For the past 15 years, Centenary Bank and Rotary Uganda have walked this journey together, transforming concern into action and partnerships into infrastructure,” Balikuddembe said. “Collective action is vital in the fight against cancer.”
And the bank isn’t stopping at writing cheques.
Balikuddembe highlighted a major milestone: the launch of the Rotary Club of Mapeera, making Centenary Bank only the second local bank to host its own Rotary club — a bold statement about institutionalising service at the corporate level.
Then came the tech punch.
The Executive Director unveiled Gonza Pay, a digital wallet developed by Cente Tech, designed to simplify purchases and deepen financial inclusion.
“Innovation must serve humanity,” Balikuddembe declared. “I urge the public to download the Gonza Pay app to purchase their kits and join the fight for a healthier and more inclusive Uganda.”
In a world where cancer treatment is expensive and access remains limited, Centenary Bank is positioning itself not just as a sponsor — but as an enabler of solutions.
The launch also carried the weight of State House.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni pledged Shs 3 billion toward completing the Rotary Cancer Centre.
Rotary Uganda says it still needs Shs 6 billion to fully complete the centre — even as the superstructure stands tall, awaiting the final phase.
Past District Governor Stephen Mwanje did not sugar-coat the crisis. Uganda, with a population of about 45 million, currently has only three radiotherapy machines — all located at Mulago National Referral Hospital.
“At the moment Uganda has only three radiotherapy machines serving about 45 million people. That capacity is far from sufficient,” Mwanje warned.
Global standards recommend one radiotherapy machine per one million people — meaning Uganda should ideally have around 45 machines. The shortfall is staggering.
“This means we still need more than 40 additional machines to adequately serve the population,” he added, delivering a sobering reality check.
The Rotary Cancer Run Chairperson Meddie Lutaaya rallied the nation under this year’s theme, “Gwanga Mujje” — a clarion call for unity.
“This is a call to Rotarians, friends of Rotary and all Ugandans to come together and act. If we unite and take action, we shall realise the dream of building a world-class cancer treatment centre,” Lutaaya said.
Cancer remains one of Uganda’s fastest-growing public health challenges, with thousands of new cases diagnosed every year. Treatment costs between $300 and $800 per patient — a crushing burden for many families.
Since its launch, the Cancer Run campaign has delivered 36 beds to Nsambya Hospital and raised billions between 2016 and 2025 to support cancer care initiatives.
But it is corporate consistency that is now defining the momentum.
With UGX 500 million fresh on the table, a cumulative UGX 3 billion invested over 15 years, a Rotary club embedded within the bank, and digital innovation through Gonza Pay, Centenary Bank has placed itself at the forefront of Uganda’s cancer fight.
As the 15th edition of the Cancer Run gears up for August 30, 2026, one thing is clear: the battle against cancer will not be won by words alone — but by partnerships, technology and sustained financial commitment.
And right now, Centenary Bank is leading from the front.
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