Uganda to make first ever cancer self-test kits

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Uganda is developing its first-ever self-testing kits for cancer. The kits are expected to use urine to diagnose cervical and prostate cancer.

Spearheaded by a research team from Makerere University, the innovation aims to bring early detection into homes, reduce diagnostic costs, and ease the pressure on overstretched healthcare facilities.

Revealed at the ongoing National Science Summit 2025 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala city, the diagnostic kits were introduced by Dr Charles Kato-Drago, a senior lecturer and head of the department of biomedical laboratory technology and molecular biology at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity as he presented his abstract research.

“These cancer self-test kits will be the first of their kind in Africa,” Kato-Drago said. “Now, instead of undergoing uncomfortable procedures in hospitals, people will be able to test for prostate and cervical cancer using just a urine sample, from the comfort of their homes.”

Currently, screening for cervical cancer requires a 0ap smear—an invasive procedure that many women find distressing. For men, prostate cancer detection often involves uncomfortable rectal examinations, which discourages many from seeking early screening. The new self-testing kits are designed to eliminate these barriers and help more Ugandans access potentially life-saving early diagnoses.

“Cancer requires constant hospital visits to screen; when you are cancer-free, then you go back next year or even after months,” Kato-Drago said.

“But now, with this technology, you test yourself through urine from anywhere and only go to the hospital for confirmatory tests if the result is positive.”

The research is part of a broader initiative supported by the Government, ranging from shillings eight billion to 10 billion. These funds, according to the doctor, have enabled the establishment of a state-of-the-art Artificial Intelligence (AI) laboratory that is accelerating the development of rapid diagnostic kits tailored to Uganda’s health profile.

“Previously, we had to send our samples abroad. We lacked both the equipment and the scientists to drive this work,” Kato-Drago said. “But now, we can develop kits locally, using Ugandan researchers, for Ugandan needs.”

He, however, noted that, much as they have the module, they are waiting for funding from the Government, which has already promised to fund this innovation through national science and technology. "This is currently the obstacle to this innovation but we 100% sure that this will be worked on soon".

Malaria testing kits

While the cancer kits are the flagship innovation, the team is also developing other vital point-of-care diagnostics aimed at transforming the landscape of both human and veterinary health. Among them is a urine-based malaria self-test kit—a less invasive and more accessible alternative to the traditional finger-prick blood test.

“For children, the elderly, and those with needle phobia, blood tests can be traumatising,” Kato-Drago said, "With the urine test strip, anyone can buy the kit from a pharmacy, test at home, and then go to hospital only if needed. This saves time, reduces pressure on hospitals, and empowers families.”

The malaria urine kit is undergoing laboratory validation, having successfully passed phase two of a four-phase process. If all goes as planned, it is expected to be available to the public by late 2026.

Adding to the list of innovations is a self-test kit for detecting cattle pregnancy—a tool that could significantly improve livestock management for farmers in rural areas. Traditionally, pregnancy in cows is determined through physical examination by a veterinarian, a process that can be both inaccurate and distressing for the animal.

“Where there is no vet, this kit can be a lifesaver,” said Dr Kato-Drago. “Farmers will be able to determine cattle pregnancy using urine, just as we do for human mothers. They’ll also be able to track the animal’s gestation period more accurately. It’s cheap, timely, and eliminates the need for a third party.”

With Uganda’s agriculture sector forming a backbone of the economy, this veterinary innovation has the potential to boost both productivity and profitability for smallholder farmers across the country.

Despite the excitement surrounding these developments, the path to commercial availability remains complex—particularly for the human health kits targeting cancer. These will undergo more rigorous regulatory scrutiny, including assessments by Uganda’s National Drug Authority (NDA) and international bodies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“The science is sound, and we passed phase one, which is always the hardest,” Kato-Drago affirmed. “What limits us now is funding, especially for the cancer kits. However, the government, through the Science, Technology and Innovation Secretariat, has already laid a strong foundation.”

One of the most demanding and costly aspects of diagnostic innovation is identifying reliable biomarkers—the unique biological indicators that the kits use to detect disease. Once this groundwork is done, the manufacturing process becomes more straightforward, provided there is adequate and consistent funding.

Still, the potential benefits far outweigh the challenges. By enabling individuals to detect diseases early, these kits could significantly reduce the burden on Uganda’s healthcare system and improve health outcomes for thousands—if not millions—of people.

The research team is optimistic about Uganda’s future capacity to respond to health emergencies. According to Dr Kato-Drago, the goal is to establish a nimble scientific ecosystem that can swiftly produce diagnostic solutions for emerging threats.

“We want to reach a point where, if there’s an outbreak—be it Ebola, monkeypox, or something new—Uganda can respond with its own test kits within weeks,” he said.

As the National Science Summit continues until June 20th, these innovations have become a powerful showcase of what Ugandan scientists can achieve with the right support and infrastructure. More than just a display of progress, they mark a turning point in Uganda’s quest for self-reliance in healthcare and scientific research.

From cancer to malaria to cattle pregnancy, these locally developed self-testing kits are something to be proud of.