SIOP is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Joyce Balagadde Kambugu as SIOP Advocacy Chair Elect, following an open call for nominations from the SIOP membership.

Dr Kambugu is a highly respected paediatric oncologist with more than 10 years’ experience in paediatric oncology and is based at the Uganda Cancer Institute (UCI), Uganda’s national referral centre for cancer treatment, research and training. She currently directs the paediatric oncology service at UCI and has played a pivotal role in strengthening childhood cancer care in East and Central Africa.

Dr Kambugu completed her undergraduate and postgraduate training in Paediatrics and Child Health at Makerere University, Uganda, and undertook her fellowship training in paediatric oncology at the University of Cape Town’s Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. During her tenure at UCI, she spearheaded the establishment of a dedicated paediatric oncology service and later led the development of a paediatric oncology fellowship programme.

Beyond her clinical leadership, Dr Kambugu is actively engaged in extending paediatric cancer services to regional hospitals across Uganda and contributing to the modification of the National Cancer Control Plan. She is widely recognised as a passionate advocate for improving outcomes for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries.

As Chair Elect, Dr Kambugu will attend SIOP Advocacy Committee and Board of Directors meetings as an observer before formally assuming the role of Advocacy Chair at the SIOP Annual Business Meeting in September 2026.

SIOP warmly congratulates Dr Kambugu and looks forward to her leadership in advancing the Society’s global advocacy efforts.