Centenary Bank injects shs800 million in fight against cancer

Centenary Bank has injected shs800 million in the fight against cancer countrywide. This was revealed at the launch of the Rotary Family Health Days today in Kikandwa- Kayunga district to which the bank contributed shs40 million for the purchase of kits for the breast and cervical cancer screening.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative, Mr. Godfrey Byekwaso- General Manager Finance at Centenary Bank and chairman of the Rotary Family Health Day’s committee, on behalf of the bank’s Managing Director- Mr. Fabian Kasi, said that Centenary Bank is committed to supporting the fight against the cancer scourge which continues to claim a great number of lives across the country.

“As a bank, our interest in the economy goes beyond providing appropriate and affordable financial services to Ugandans but also extends to the social well-being of our people. Centenary Bank is supporting the cancer screening exercise during the health days, as part of our flagship CSR project which we named- Bridging the Cancer Gap. This programme is aimed at reducing the prevalence rates of cancer in Uganda. The cancer scourge is on the rise and the risk of death from cancer is extremely high because of our changing lives and the lack of adequate medical and health facilities in our country,” he said.

The bank’s contribution has been directed towards the provision of kits for the breast and cervical cancer screening during the Rotary Family Health Days which will take place for three days each across various regions in the country. Last year alone, Centenary Bank contributed Shs187 million towards the construction of the Cancer Ward, and related Rotary activities.

While receiving the contribution on behalf of Rotary Club of Kayunga, the former Kayunga district Governor and brain behind the Rotary Family Health Days initiative- Stephen Mwanje urged all members of the community to join the fight against cancer by embracing regular medical checkups and screening.

“Cancer is a very dangerous disease but if detected early can be treated. Go for regular checkups. Today we are concentrating on cervical cancer and breast cancer but you the men also need to test for prostate cancer and we need you to continuously encourage your friends and family to do the same so we can beat this disease out,” Mwanje said.

The Chief of Defense Forces UPDF- General Katumba Wamala graced the event as the Guest of Honor and added his voice to the call to Ugandans embrace cancer screening and testing.

Centenary Bank has been involved in raising awareness about Breast, Cervical and Prostate cancers, the most common cancers in the world since 2011 since joining hands with Rotary District 9200 and St. Francis Hospital, Nsambya, a partnership which has led to the construction of the cancer ward at Nsambya Hospital with the aim of complementing the insufficient facilities in the country amongst other initiatives.

Through its Shs800 million investment in the cause, Centenary Bank in partnership with Rotary Club of Uganda has reached over 3,897 women countrywide through screening, seminars, literature, sensitization and the Cancer Run.

The Rotary Family Health Days will be held in the following places; Kampala, Arua, Bushenyi, Gulu, Hoima, Iganga, Jinja, Kabarole, Kabwohe, Kalisizo, Kumi, Kyotegera, Kyengera, Kalisizo, Mityana, Mbale, Mukono, Ntungamo and Kitigum among others.

Cover photo Caption: Centenary Bank’s General Manager Finance (middle) hands over a cheque worth shs40 million to the Past District Governor- Stephen Mwanje (L) as the Bank’s contribution to this year’s Rotary Family Health Days initiative.

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