Charles Peter Mayiga, the Katikkiro of Buganda, has urged Ugandans to normalize routine hospital visits to monitor their health, even when they are not visibly ill. He noted that such habits are essential for early detection and effective management of diseases.
The Katikkiro observed that many people complain about the high cost of hospital visits, yet they often spend money on things that may even be harmful to their health.
“Why not set aside that money for your well-being?” he asked. He urged the public to treat initiatives like Tubeere Balamu as reminders that health must be prioritized for one to live a meaningful life.
2025
“Let us visit hospitals routinely even when we don’t have a disease, people always say it is expensive, but if you consider its impacts, you get to know its advantages. Therefore, it is important to visit hospitals routinely. And beyond doing routine tests, let us eat necessary food, do not eat a lot of food because it is not a healthy. And always regulate oils, sugar, salt and alcohol because many of these are harmful to our health” he said.
Mayiga made the remarks while addressing thousands of people gathered at Mutesa II Stadium in Wankulukuku for the two-day Tubeere Balamu health camp, organized by the Kabaka Foundation and Aga Khan University Hospital.
Mayiga added that certain illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and kidney failure, often go unnoticed until they reach critical stages. He therefore encouraged the public to take part in health programs as a way of regularly monitoring their health. He added that when the Kabaka Foundation organizes such initiatives, it becomes an opportunity for people to easily access important medical services. He urged those who desire a good life to always prioritize their health.
The Katikkiro said that without making health a priority, beginning at the household level, any plans made by individuals or the country are unlikely to succeed. He noted that the Kabaka established the Kabaka Foundation in 1997, two years after his coronation in 1995, having recognized a gap in the health system and a need to strengthen people’s well-being. According to the Katikkiro, the Kabaka initiated the Foundation to support and expand existing efforts aimed at improving public health, and the organization has since played a vital and effective role.
Speaking on the first day of the camp, Diamond Trust Bank Uganda (DTB) Managing Director Godfrey Sebaana reaffirmed its commitment to improving public health in Uganda through strategic, inclusive partnerships — joining hands with the Kabaka Foundation and Aga Khan University Hospital to deliver critical healthcare services to underserved communities.
Sebaana said that preventive healthcare is a fundamental right for all Ugandans — not a privilege for the few. “At DTB, we believe in growing together with the communities we serve. Our commitment extends beyond banking. We are here to contribute meaningfully to the well-being and health of Ugandans. Therefore, this health camp is part of our wider strategy to make lifesaving screenings and treatment services accessible to people who would otherwise be unable to afford or reach them,” Sebaana said.
The Tubeere Balamu campaign, an initiative by the Kabaka Foundation, is a people-centered health drive that mobilizes Kabaka’s subjects to donate blood, increase awareness about non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and receive treatment for various health conditions. The campaign also provides platforms for medical education and referrals in hard-to-reach communities across Buganda.
At the Wankulukuku health camp, residents accessed a comprehensive range of free health services including blood donation drives, cancer screenings (breast, cervical, and prostate), diabetes and hypertension testing, pediatric and orthopedic consultations and eye examinations and vision care.
The health camp builds on the success of previous outreach activities, most notably the January 2025 camp in Busiro County, which have collectively impacted over 8,000 individuals across 18 counties in Buganda.
Uganda is facing a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension, which are increasingly responsible for a growing share of hospital admissions and mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while communicable diseases still dominate Uganda’s health burden, NCDs are rising rapidly, with Kampala alone recording an 8% prevalence of type 2 diabetes.
It is against this backdrop that DTB is embedding health outreach into its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) agenda, with Sebaana highlighting the importance of partnerships that deliver long-term social value.
“Through this collaboration with the Kabaka Foundation, we are not only treating illness, but we are empowering communities with the knowledge and access they need to prevent it in the first place,” he noted.
The outreach is expected to reach hundreds more during its two-day run, with walk-in consultations, diagnostics, and referrals handled by on-site medical professionals. The event also drew attendance from local leaders, Ministry of Health officials, and partners from the private and development sectors, all reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable healthcare delivery.