- Event: 9th Nile Cancer Run
- Date: Saturday, 24th October 2026
- Start time: 7 AM
- Start & Finish: Health First Gym & Fitness Center, Jinja
- Categories: 5 KM (Walk), 10 KM (Run), 15 KM (Ride)
- Cost: 30,000/= per person
Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja (RHHJ) has organized the 2026 Nile Cancer Run for a common cause that touches almost every family: helping more people avoid cancer, find it early and reach treatment in time.
This event will take place on Saturday, 24th October 2026 with the start and finishing point at the Health First Gym & Fitness Center in Jinja, starting at 7 AM.
This will be the 9th edition of this run is being held with participants spolt for choice with the 5KM walk, 10 KM run or 15 KM ride options.
This year’s run has attracted stronger support than ever before from local businesses, organizations and companies—a powerful demonstration of the community’s commitment to tackling cancer together. Businesses, schools, faith leaders and communities will unite to support cancer prevention, early detection and treatment.
John Mwayi, monitoring and Evaluation/ Quality Assurance Coordinator – Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja
The chief guests will be Owek. Al-Haj Osman Noor Ahmed, Second Deputy Prime Minister of Busoga Kingdom; the Right Reverend Grace Lubale, Bishop of Busoga Diocese; and the Danish Ambassador, H.E. Signe Winding Albjerg.
Their participation brings cultural, religious and international support to a campaign rooted in the needs of local communities.
A community stepping forward:
From businesses and banks to schools, health facilities and radio stations, supporters across Jinja and beyond have stepped forward to help make the run possible.
Their contributions, participation and publicity are helping bring cancer into public conversation—and encouraging people to seek help earlier.
Sponsorship bandwagon:
A wide range of sponsors and partners have joined hands together for a successful event.
Murchison River Lodge, Bank of Uganda, Arken Farm, Nzuri Timber, Nilus Group Limited, Sanlam, Yalelo Uganda, Cavendish University, St. Francis Health Care Services Njeru, Grace Laboratories, Asante International School, Mother Kevin Secondary School, His Heart for Africa, Jinja City Council, JIPRA, Health First Gym & Fitness Centre, APCA, Smart FM, NBS FM, Busoga One Radio, Bridge FM, International Institute of Health Sciences, Bank of Africa, AJK Group Limited, JPC 2 Friends, and the many individuals who have purchased running kits for themselves and their families.
The many participating organisations, schools, health workers, volunteers and individuals are equally important to the spirit of the event.
Together, they are showing that improving access to cancer care is a responsibility the whole community can share.
One morning of running. A year-round commitment to care.
Every day, RHHJ meets people whose cancer has been discovered too late.
Some did not recognize the warning signs. Others could not afford investigations or lived too far from services.
Behind each late diagnosis is a person—and a family whose life is changed.
Yet there is real reason for hope. HPV vaccination can prevent cervical cancer.
Screening can identify cervical changes before cancer develops, while earlier diagnosis of cancer can improve the chances of successful treatment.
What began in 2018 as the Fight Women’s Cancer Run has grown into the Nile Cancer Run, embracing prostate cancer screening alongside the continuing focus on cervical and breast cancer. In 2025, RHHJ’s work helped vaccinate 35,152 girls against HPV, screen 4,090 women for cervical cancer and 3,557 for breast cancer, and support 279 patients who could not afford the diagnostic tests and treatment they needed.
Sylvia Nakami, Executive Director – Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja
The run helps sustain this wider work: raising awareness, bringing prevention and screening closer to communities, supporting access to diagnosis and treatment, and providing palliative care for people living with advanced illness.
Everyone has a part to play
RHHJ invites families, workplaces, schools, community groups and individuals to join tomorrow’s event. Come and run, walk or ride. Encourage someone to seek screening.
Talk about cancer and help replace fear and silence with knowledge and action.
The run is one day. The work continues all year. Run for Hope. Run for Prevention. Run for Life.
