Cancer is not witchcraft: Leaders demand action as desperation drives patients to traditional healers
Local officials in Nebbi, Uganda, are urging residents to seek professional medical treatment for cancer rather than relying on traditional healers or witch doctors. The campaign highlights the dangers of delayed medical intervention and aims to raise funds for a new cancer ward.
Why it matters
Misinformation regarding medical conditions can lead to preventable deaths, making public health awareness campaigns essential in rural communities.
Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Robert Abak has issued a strong warning to Nebbi District residents against seeking cancer treatment from witch doctors and traditional healers, cautioning that the practice continues to cost lives.
Speaking on Sunday morning during the 2026 edition of the Rotary Cancer Run—an event aimed at raising funds and creating community awareness—Mr. Abak revealed that his office frequently receives reports of families taking cancer patients to shrines after misinterpreting symptoms as a curse or witchcraft. He noted that many patients only report to health facilities when the disease has reached an advanced stage, often after spending heavily on consultation fees with traditional healers, rendering treatment far more difficult.
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