A Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner has arrived at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), with installation now underway, bringing the country closer to offering one of the most advanced imaging technologies used in modern cancer care on home soil.
A PET scan allows doctors to observe activity inside the body at a cellular level. When combined with computed tomography (CT) imaging, it can help identify where cancer is located, determine whether it has spread, and assess how a patient is responding to treatment.
For cancer patients and families who have spent years looking beyond Uganda for specialised diagnostic services, the arrival of the scanner marks a new chapter. For years, access to specialised cancer diagnostics has been among the reasons some Ugandans with the financial means seek treatment outside the country. The cost of travel, accommodation, and medical care abroad can place an additional burden on families already dealing with the emotional and financial strain of cancer.
UCI has been developing its Division of Molecular Imaging and Therapy, with PET imaging forming part of a broader expansion of molecular imaging, radiopharmacy, and targeted cancer treatment services. In 2025, the institute said construction and development of PET facilities were part of the second phase of the project.
A PET-CT does not simply show the physical appearance of a tumour; it can reveal areas of increased metabolic activity, helping doctors identify cancerous disease, establish how far it has spread, determine its stage, and assess whether treatment is working.
For Uganda, having this capability at the Uganda Cancer Institute could change the diagnostic journey for some patients by giving specialists access to more detailed information about the location and behaviour of cancer without requiring patients to travel abroad for this specialised imaging.
It will not replace biopsies, CT scans, MRI, or other investigations, and it cannot by itself prevent deaths such as that of King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who died aged 34 while receiving cancer treatment in the United States. However, it adds an important layer of information that can help doctors make more informed decisions about diagnosis, staging, and treatment.
The arrival of the scanner marks an important step, but it does not immediately mean patients can begin receiving scans. Installation must first be completed, after which the equipment will need to be tested and commissioned. The necessary technical and clinical teams must also be prepared to operate the system safely and effectively.
The installation currently underway is expected to be completed within two months. UCI has previously described molecular imaging as an important component of efforts to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment in Uganda.
For the patient waiting on the other side of that process, the hope is simple: to access more of the specialised care they need without having to leave home. The arrival of the PET scanner represents a significant milestone in Uganda’s efforts to expand access to advanced cancer diagnostics and reduce the need for patients to seek care abroad.
