Uganda, Kampala 
Dr. Joyce Balagadde Kambugu is a leading pediatric oncologist and healthcare leader in East and Central Africa, based at the Uganda Cancer Institute. She has over 15 years of experience in pediatric oncology and is widely recognized for her role in developing childhood cancer services, training programs, and national cancer control strategies in resource-limited settings. Her work spans clinical care, education, and health system strengthening, with a strong focus on improving access to diagnosis and treatment for children with cancer across Uganda and the wider African region. She is also an active advocate for pediatric cancer globally, contributing to international collaborations and policy development.
Current Position
- Consultant Pediatric Oncologist at the Uganda Cancer Institute, the national referral center for cancer care, research, and training in Uganda
- Head, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, leading one of the largest pediatric oncology programs in East Africa managing over 600 new pediatric cancer cases annually
- Head, Pediatric Oncology Fellowship Programme, training future pediatric oncologists and multidisciplinary specialists across Africa
- President of SIOP Africa, representing a continental network of over 500 professionals involved in childhood cancer care
Education
- MBChB, Medicine, Makerere University
- MMed, Pediatrics and Child Health, Makerere University
- Fellowship in Pediatric Oncology, University of Cape Town / Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
- Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration and Leadership, Eaton Business School and Università Guglielmo Marconi
- Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Healthcare Management and Leadership, Cambridge International Qualifications
Clinical & Research Focus
- Pediatric oncology and hematology, with a focus on improving survival outcomes in children with cancer
- Development of sustainable cancer care models in low- and middle-income countries
- Health systems strengthening for childhood cancer diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up
- National cancer control strategies for children and adolescents
Academic Profile
- Over 15 years of experience in pediatric oncology, combining clinical care, leadership, and program development
- Research interests focused on health systems, access to care, and outcomes for childhood cancer in resource-limited settings
- Active contributor to regional and international pediatric oncology collaborations and initiatives
Research Innovation & Programs
Dr. Kambugu has been instrumental in building pediatric oncology capacity and systems in Uganda and across Africa:
- She spearheaded the establishment of a dedicated pediatric oncology service at the Uganda Cancer Institute, transforming care delivery for children with cancer
- She developed and leads a structured pediatric oncology fellowship program, contributing to workforce development in Africa
- She is actively expanding pediatric cancer services to regional hospitals, improving access to care beyond the capital city
- She contributes to the development and implementation of Uganda’s National Cancer Control Plan, with a focus on childhood cancer
- Her work emphasizes scalable, cost-effective models for cancer care in resource-limited environments
Leadership & Contributions
- President of SIOP Africa, leading continental efforts to improve pediatric cancer outcomes
- Member of the St. Jude Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Advisory Committee, contributing to regional strategy and collaboration
- Member of the SIOP Essential Medicines Working Group, supporting global access to pediatric oncology treatments
- Focal specialist for child and adolescent cancer within the Uganda National Cancer Control Secretariat, advising on national policy and strategy
- Chair of the Institutional Biosafety Committee and former long-term member of the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee
OncoDaily Highlight
Dr. Joyce Balagadde Kambugu represents a leading voice in pediatric oncology in Africa whose impact extends far beyond clinical care into health systems development, policy leadership, and workforce training. While not yet widely profiled on prominent international oncology platforms such as OncoDaily, her work has had substantial regional and continental influence. As President of SIOP Africa and a key contributor to national cancer control strategies, she continues to shape the future of pediatric oncology in resource-limited settings and underserved populations globally.
All information is sourced from publicly available materials.