Health 28 April 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Cancer Institute Team Achieves Historic First Bone Marrow Transplant
A multidisciplinary team at the Uganda Cancer Institute has successfully performed the country's first bone marrow transplant on a multiple myeloma patient, slashing costs from $50,000 abroad to about $15,000 locally. The effort was led by Dr. Clement Okello and involved specialists from haematology, nursing, pharmacy, and beyond after years of planning and international benchmarking. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/scientists-behind-uganda-s-first-bone-marrow-transplant-5439178
The Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) has marked a medical breakthrough with its first successful bone marrow transplant, treating a patient named Sande Stephen for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer.
This complex procedure was executed by a broad team including consultant haematologists, pharmacists, lab scientists, nurses, a nutritionist, radiation oncologist, biomedical engineer, cleaners, and an economist, showcasing the depth of expertise required.
Dr. Clement Okello, lead transplant physician and UCI consultant haematologist, spearheaded the initiative that began around 2016. After failed international partnerships, government funding enabled benchmarking trips to top centres in the US and India, where the team discovered UCI’s equipment was often more advanced than expected.
Undeterred by limited external support, they developed their own standard operating procedures and prepared for the procedure. Dr. Fred Okuku referred the inaugural patient, allowing the team to proceed.
Key figures include Dr. Henry Ddungu, senior consultant in haematology and oncology; Alfred Komakech, head of oncology pharmacy; nurses like Hanifah Nabbanja and Ritah Bafumba; lab experts such as Francis Odongo Nyandejje; nutrition specialist Ssemujju Joseph; health economist Ezra Anecho; and biomedical engineer Moses Lopuka.
Performing the transplant locally cuts costs dramatically, from roughly $50,000 overseas to $15,000, making advanced care more accessible.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)