Pearl Bank and the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) have announced a four-year strategic partnership to support the establishment of a specialized Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) centre.
The facility is intended to expand access to life-saving treatment for patients suffering from sickle cell disease, HIV-related complications, and other complex blood disorders. The announcement was made at JCRC offices in Lubowa, Entebbe.
JCRC aims to raise USD 4 million through a fundraising drive to set up the BMT facility. The centre will address critical gaps in Uganda’s specialized healthcare infrastructure.
It will also enhance local capacity for advanced treatment and position JCRC as a regional leader in innovative therapies such as stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and gene therapy.
During the event, Pearl Bank, the financial partner, handed over a dummy cheque worth UGX 200 million toward the BMT facility. The contribution forms part of the four-year partnership commitment.
An online payment link will be hosted on the JCRC website to enable well-wishers to make donations conveniently.
Contributions can be made through mobile money platforms, Visa or Mastercard payments, and QR scan codes. All funds will be channeled into a Pearl Bank account dedicated to the drive.
Pearl Bank Managing Director Julius Kakeeto said the partnership is not just philanthropic but a strategic investment.
He noted that it aligns with Uganda’s national development framework, particularly the Agro-Industrialization, Tourism, Minerals, and Science and Technology Innovation (ATMS) strategy.
He explained that the ATMS strategy is Uganda’s blueprint for achieving ten-fold economic growth. The Science, Technology and Innovation pillar is recognized as a key accelerator for value addition across sectors.
Supporting the JCRC BMT Centre, he said, directly strengthens this pillar by advancing medical research, expanding specialized healthcare infrastructure, and building local capacity in complex medical procedures.
Kakeeto added that health is one of the bank’s Corporate Social Investment pillars.
“We believe that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation, and we are pleased to form a four-year strategic partnership with JCRC toward this noble cause. One of the wards will be named the Pearl Ward,” he said.
Uganda continues to face a heavy burden of hematological diseases. About 17,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease each year.
Up to 80 percent die before their fifth birthday due to limited access to timely and specialized care.
One in seven Ugandans carries the sickle cell trait, reflecting a high genetic risk in the population.
More than 34,000 new cancer cases are recorded annually, leading to over 22,000 deaths.
Blood cancers, particularly leukemia and lymphoma in children, make a significant contribution to this mortality burden.
When school fees outpace savings: How Pearl Bank is supporting parents and schools through education financingBone marrow transplant is a proven and lifesaving intervention for sickle cell disease and several serious benign and malignant blood disorders, including leukemia and lymphoma. Beyond its curative potential, bone marrow transplant has also offered important scientific insights for HIV research.
To date, nine individuals living with HIV who underwent bone marrow transplant for underlying blood cancers have achieved complete remission of both their cancer and HIV. These cases continue to inform global HIV cure research.
The Guest of Honour, Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo, emphasized the transformative impact of the project.
“Uganda has always been a beacon of resilience in Africa. With the launch of this Bone Marrow Transplant Centre, we are not just saving lives, we are restoring hope. This is Rotary at its best: service above self, transforming communities,” he said.
Prof. Charles Ibingira, Chairperson of the JCRC Board, highlighted the relief the centre will bring to patients who have endured the strain of seeking treatment abroad.
He said the new facility will ensure that Ugandans access world-class care at home in a dignified, equitable, and lifesaving environment.
Minister of Health Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a healthy society.
“This centre aligns fully with Vision 2040. It is a national milestone and a promise that no Ugandan will be left behind in the fight against sickle cell disease and cancer,” she said.
Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero also pledged support.
She said she was speaking in two capacities: as minister responsible for mobilizing government support for critical institutions like JCRC, and as a Sickle Cell Ambassador.
She confirmed that the project has government attention and will be supported. In her personal capacity, she committed USD 1,000 toward the initiative.
JCRC Executive Director Dr. Cissy Kityo Mutuluuza described the centre as a symbol of hope and dignity.
“This centre is about giving Ugandans a second chance at life. We call on individuals, corporations, governments, and partners to join this mission. Every contribution counts,” she said.
Dr. Kityo applauded Pearl Bank as the headline sponsor and noted that the UGX 200 million contribution will go a long way toward establishing the much-needed facility.
Pearl Bank said its support demonstrates its commitment to championing sustainable initiatives aligned with its purpose of fostering prosperity for Ugandans. The bank implements this through two high-impact goals: driving sustainable financial inclusion and stimulating entrepreneurship and service.
The partnership also comes as Pearl Bank advances its five-year strategic journey. The bank last year transitioned from PostBank Uganda to Pearl Bank in a rebranding phase.
The change marks an opportunity to leverage business growth within Uganda and across the region while extending tailored financial solutions that unlock opportunities for prosperity.
