The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) and the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU) jointly hosted an international conference on cancer and palliative care in August 2017 in Kampala, Uganda. At the heart of the conference rested a common commitment to see patient care improved across Uganda and the region. The theme – United Against Cancer: Prevention to End-of-Life Care – reflected this joint vision and the drive to remember that cancer care should include prevention, early diagnosis and screening, treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care. The conference brought together 451 delegates from 17 countries. The key themes of the conference included: the importance of the World Health Assembly Resolutions on Palliative Care (2014) and cancer care (2017); the need to develop a National Cancer Control Programme; strategies for effective cancer diagnosis and treatment in low- and middle-income countries; advocacy, human rights and access to essential medicines, including access to opioids and nurse prescribing; paediatric care; leadership and commitment; collaboration; resources (financial and human), the recognition that palliative care is not limited to cancer care and the importance of learning from each other. The conference also gave the opportunity to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the UCI, with a celebration dinner attended by the Minister of Health and the US Ambassador. Participants reported that the conference was a forum that updated them in all aspects of cancer and palliative care, which challenged their knowledge, and was enlightening in terms of current treatment options for individuals with cancer. The benefits of having a joint conference were recognised, allowing for further networking between cancer and palliative care organisations. This conference, highlighting many developments in cancer and palliative care, served as a unique opportunity to bring people together and unite them in developing cancer and palliative care.

Background Sustainable funding is key for ensuring the quality and coverage of palliative care services. This study examined the sources of funding for stand-alone palliative care services in Uganda as well as their services financial sustainability plans. Methods Researchers conducted a cross sectional survey of all stand-alone palliative care organizations that have operated for five or more years. Researchers administered a questionnaire survey and interviews on the audited financial statements, services provided and sustainability plans. Results Nine of the stand-alone palliative care organizations surveyed had operated for five to 25 years. 93% of the funding for palliative care services comes from donations; while 7% is from income generating activities. 94% of the donations are from external sources. The Government of Uganda’s major contribution is in the form of medicines, training and payment of taxes. All the organizations had good financial records. Six of the fifteen Hospices/palliative care providers had sustainability plans included in their operational manuals. The older organizations (those that had been operational for more than 10 years) had better resource mobilization capacity and strategies. Conclusion The majority of stand-alone palliative care organizations in Uganda are largely donor funded. They have considerable financial sustainability and fund-raising capacity. Government support is in the form of medicines and training. Based on this study findings, the capacity of the stand-alone palliative care services to raise funds should be increased. The Government of Uganda should include palliative care in the national health system and increase funding for these services.

The 3rd Uganda Conference on Cancer and Palliative Care was held in September 2021 with the theme: cancer and palliative care in COVID-19 and other challenging situations. It was hosted by the Uganda Cancer Institute and the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (UCI-PCAU). The conference was held virtually, with a mix of pre-recorded sessions, plenary sessions being broadcast live on television (TV) by the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation TV, live speakers at the studio and others presenting in real time via Zoom. The conference brought together >350 participants who participated on Zoom, along with those attending in person at the studio and those watching the plenary sessions on TV. At the heart of this joint UCI-PCAU conference was the commitment to not only continue but to improve the provision of cancer care and palliative care within Uganda. Key themes from the conference included: the importance of Universal Health Coverage; the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of cancer and palliative care; that both cancer care and palliative care are available in Uganda; education for all; the importance of working together to provide care and overcome challenges, e.g. through technology; the resilience shown by those working in cancer and palliative care; the grief experienced by so many people who have lost loved ones during the pandemic; the importance of good health seeking behaviour – prevention is better than cure; the challenge of funding; the need for health care equity for marginalised and vulnerable populations and finally we can’t wait for the world to stop COVID-19 – COVID-19 is here to stay – we need to find solutions. The last few years have seen significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, despite this, cancer and palliative care service provision has continued. This conference, whilst unique and very different from previous conferences, was a great opportunity to share not only amongst each other, but also to share key messages with the public through the live broadcasting of the plenary sessions of the conference.

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All cancer care must target the needs of the whole population, not just the few who reach curative services. This paper will refer to palliative care in Uganda and in the countries now aware of the need for palliative care. Human Rights Watch has declared that doctors who are aware that we can control cancer pain and are not doing it or taking steps to make it happen, are considered to be torturers (Human Rights Watch (2009) Please, do not make us suffer any more... Accessed 11 July 2019). As Uganda celebrates 25 years since the introduction of palliative care, is it now time to harvest the principles that have been applied in policies and services from the Government of Uganda? This has brought Uganda to the same level as the developed world as stage 4b palliative care (PC) services [1]. These policies and services need to be promoted to caring governments in Africa, and suitably adapted to the needs of each African country, with a plan for them to progress over the next 5 years. These steps will ensure standards, economic viability and cultural appropriateness. Let palliative care reach at least 50% of cancer patients in need in Africa by 2023.