National Medical Stores (NMS) has once again demonstrated its growing influence and commitment to community health by spearheading a powerful activation in support of the 14th edition of the Rotary Cancer Run.

Hosted at the National Medical Stores (NMS) headquarters in Kajjansi, the event was spearheaded by the Provisional Rotary Club of NMS and marked a significant milestone in this year’s campaign, with NMS securing 600 kits for its staff. The Provisional Rotary Club of NMS is now the second leading club in kit sales among all participating Rotary clubs nationwide.

The Rotary Club of NMS was established in May 2025 as Uganda’s first-ever corporate Rotary club, born out of a strategic vision by the NMS Board to institutionalize and scale up the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives through a structured, globally recognized platform. By aligning with Rotary’s international mission of service above self, the club leverages the professionalism, technical expertise, and goodwill of NMS staff to implement impactful service projects across the country.

Now in its 14th year, the Rotary Cancer Run is on a mission to raise UGX 4 billion to complete the second phase of a dedicated radiotherapy center in Uganda. This critical health facility will be equipped with two state-of-the-art Linear Accelerators for cancer treatment and testing, alongside a comprehensive diagnostic and care unit.

Speaking at the activation, Meddie Lutaaya, Vice Chairperson of the 2025 Rotary Cancer Run, emphasized the gravity of the cancer burden in Uganda. “Every year, 33,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in Uganda. Tragically, 80% of these patients die within the first year due to late diagnosis,” he noted.

Sheilla Nduhukire, Charter President of the Provisional Rotary Club of NMS Uganda and Principal Public Relations Officer at NMS, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to preventive health. “As custodians of medicines and health supplies, preventive health is at the core of our mandate. Supporting this noble cause through kit purchases and participation is a natural extension of our work to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases in a country where 75% of diseases are preventable, according to data from the Ministry of Health,” she said.

NMS has a longstanding record of corporate social responsibility, from vaccinating over 60,000 people against Yellow Fever to supporting health programs in schools. The Cancer Run activation adds to this legacy, reinforcing NMS’s role in advancing public health initiatives through structured service.

NMS encourages all Ugandans and development partners to rally behind this cause. Kits are available at UGX 30,000, with proceeds going toward the completion of the radiotherapy center.

The main Cancer run will take place on August 31, 2025, at Kololo Independence Grounds.