Solomon Kibudde, MBBS | Uganda

Solomon Kibudde, MBBS
Clinical Radiation Oncologist
Program Director of the Radiation Oncology Fellowship
Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Kampala

Dr. Solomon Kibudde is a clinical radiation oncologist and the Program Director of the Radiation Oncology Fellowship at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI) in Kampala.1 His work spans clinical care, training, research and administration — with clinical duties taking the largest share of his time. On a typical day, approximately 220 patients undergo radiation therapy, with an average of 120 outpatients, including 20-25 new patients. His responsibilities include performing brachytherapy, prescribing chemotherapy, planning treatment and supervising trainees and other staff members.

The UCI radiation therapy department is staffed by three radiation oncologists, eight medical physicists, 12 radiation therapists and five nurses. The department has three linear accelerators, two brachytherapy suites, a CT simulator and a conventional 2-D simulator. Each linac treats about 75 patients daily, with radiation therapists working in two shifts extending from 5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. About 15 brachytherapy procedures occur daily, 30 CT simulations weekly, and 40 2D simulations each week. Despite high throughput, a significant number of patients remain on the waiting list for radiation therapy at any given time.

Patients at UCI contribute a portion of the cost of care, with the majority subsidized by the Government of Uganda. A curative course of radiation therapy (25 fractions) is priced based on technique: approximately $150 for 2D, $300 for 3D conformal radiotherapy, and $400 for IMRT/VMAT. Concurrent chemotherapy and support medications are provided at no additional cost, when in stock. With fewer than 5% of patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket expenditures are high. Indirect costs — such as transport, meals and accommodation — further increase the financial burden on patients.

Cervical cancer constitutes a large portion of the caseload at UCI, and a third of these patients are HIV-positive. Awareness gaps contribute to delayed presentation, and most patients present with advanced-stage disease, with bleeding and pain. While the clinic endorses best practices and advanced techniques for curable cases, resource limitations and equipment downtimes are a substantial challenge. To expedite therapy initiation, simple techniques are often employed for urgent starts.

A highlight of Dr. Kibudde’s career has been leading the UCI clinic’s transition from predominantly 2D techniques in 2020 to the adoption of advanced modalities. Since returning from training in Cape Town, he has played a pivotal role in introducing 3D conformal radiotherapy (2021), IMRT (2022), and VMAT (2023) into their service. Plans are underway to start stereotactic radiosurgery this year. Dr. Kibudde says: “I take great pride in these milestones, knowing that more patients can now access high-quality radiation therapy locally without having to leave Uganda.”

Dr. Kibudde lives 15 km from his workplace along the northwestern highway from Kampala. Sundays are reserved for family, often spent shopping or playing with his children. The weekly respite keeps his spirits up. “The most fulfilling part of my career,” he shares, “is making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives — whether through curative treatment or timely palliation. The diversity of cases I encounter continues to fuel my curiosity and passion for radiation oncology.”