UGANDA CHAPTER (EAST AFRICA)
Over the last 20 months E.R.I.C. has taken root in Uganda. In just a year and a half, we have educated over 30,365 women and girls in reproductive age on breast cancer risk factors and breast self-examination techniques. Our team is comprised of 7 incredible women and a growing network of partners including the Mukono regional hospital and are members of the Uganda Cancer Society.
Welcome To E.R.I.C.
Cancer Initiative Uganda
E.R.I.C. Cancer Initiative is a Not to profit organization that is registered as a company limited by guarantee with Registration number (80020003948069) operating in the whole of Uganda with its head office in Mukono district along Katosi road just behind Hilton Secondary School-Zion campus, plot number 411.
E.R.I.C. Cancer Initiative was founded by Early Recognition Is Critical (E.R.I.C.) in October 2022 as a chapter in Uganda.
We are committed to creating awareness about breast cancer and breast self-examination techniques for early recognition of the disease in communities in Uganda and thereby influencing positive lifestyle changes and healthy seeking behaviors around breast health amongst women and girls of reproductive ages.
Since inception, E.R.I.C. Cancer Initiative Uganda operates in the Northern and Central regions of Uganda with a desire to expand its services to women and girls in the Eastern, Western parts and East Africa at large.
Cancer Burden in Uganda
Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, and Uganda is no exception. Breast Cancer is the second leading cancer among women in Uganda, with thousands being diagnosed each year. (Female cancers registered were 18,578(56%) and male cancers 14,601(44%) statistics from Cancer Burden Uganda 2017-2020 released by UCI).
Breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women and 1 in 1,000 men, touching the lives of loved ones, friends, and communities worldwide. E.R.I.C. Cancer Initiative aims to raise awareness about breast cancer in Uganda and we believe that everyone deserves access to quality cancer care, regardless of their status or location. Despite this, many Ugandans lack access to cancer screening, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.
About the Uganda Chapter
Our Vision
To save lives by early recognition of breast cancer
Our Mission
To prevent and respond to breast cancer by raising awareness towards early recognition being critical in breast cancer management. We foster this through awareness creation, partnerships for patient support and capacity building.
Our Goal
To contribute towards the reduction of breast cancer burden amongst Ugandan women and girls of reproductive ages by ensuring a knowledgeable population and positive response towards early recognition of the disease.
What We Do
40% Education and Outreach
- Survey the community to assess current state of breast cancer awareness
- Conduct Seminars with Village Health Teams as ambassadors of change
- Conduct health education sessions using breast cancer teaching aids
20% Screenings
- Demonstrate and teach the breast self-examination technique for early detection of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer.
- Organize medical camps in partnerships with other stake holders to provide diagnostic screenings.
40% Follow Up Support
If someone needs follow up support after the screening findings, we provide it through;
- Linking victims to health care systems to achieve continuum of care.
- Partnering with community lead organizations to provide other care.
- Routine follow up by E.R.I.C. team to assess management process
Our Core Values
- Integrity– We emphasize accurate and detailed sharing of awareness information. We give credit to all contributors and publicly disclose all relevant relationships and conflicts of interest.
- Impact-Awareness creation must have a meaningful impact on how breast cancer is understood, prevented or treated.
- Accountability enhances an environment of openness to the breast cancer community and the public. We remain accountable to all our partners and donors that enable the work that we do.
- Respect– Personal screening tests must be conducted with the highest respect for individuals with or at risk of breast cancer.
- Compassion and Courage-Caring for and supporting those at risk of breast cancer. Undeterred by challenges and bold in actions around creating awareness on breast cancer.
- Collaboration– We believe in a multisectoral approach towards responding to breast cancer and its outcomes
Our Team
Jamil Kisubi
Uganda Program Director
jamil@teameric.org
Ruth N. Mugenyi
Projects Manager
ruth@ericcancerinitiative.org
Damalie N. Musoke
Projects Coordinator
damalie@ericcancerinitiative.org
Abago Jesca
Finance and M&E Officer
jesca@ericcancerinitiative.org
Shakira K. Kiyingi
Social Media Manager
shakirah@ericcancerinitiative.org
Sharita Nanyonjo
Wakiso Projects Coordinator
sharitah@ericcancerinitiative.org
Jovia Nabatte
Mukono Project Coordinator
javia@ericcancerinitiative.org
Get Involved
If you are interested in supporting E.R.I.C.’s Cancer Initiative Uganda, there are many ways to get involved. You can make a donation, volunteer your time and skills, or simply help spread the word about the organization’s important work. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer in Uganda.
