International Volunteers Support Lymphedema Medical Camps in Uganda
In September 2025, Lymphedema Warriors Association Uganda (LWAU) welcomed a team of international lymphoedema specialists who travelled to Uganda to support our medical camps and provide treatment to patients living with lymphoedema.
The volunteer team included practitioners from the United Kingdom and Australia who responded to our call for support through global lymphoedema networks.
The Medical Camps
Two treatment camps were organised:
- Kampala
- Busiriba Village, Kamwenge District
During these camps, more than 112 patients were assessed and treated. Many patients travelled long distances, some walking overnight, to receive care and guidance for managing their condition.
The camps focused on providing practical treatment and education for people living with lymphoedema, a chronic condition that remains largely underdiagnosed and untreated in many parts of Uganda.
Conditions TreatedThe volunteer team treated patients with different types of lymphoedema, including:
- Lymphatic Filariasis
- Podoconiosis
- Cancer-related lymphoedema
- Trauma-related swelling
- Venous-related oedema
In many cases, patients had never received specialised care before.
Treatment and Patient Education
The team provided several forms of treatment, including:
- Manual lymphatic drainage techniques
- Compression bandaging
- Wound care and skin management
- Patient education on hygiene and self-management
- Guidance on exercises and mobility
Because lymphoedema care supplies are difficult to access in Uganda, many of the materials used during the camps were brought by volunteers from abroad.
Challenges in Rural Care
The rural camp in Busiriba presented unique challenges. The treatment centre had limited access to running water and electricity, and many patients came from farming communities where access to health services is limited.
Despite these challenges, the team worked long hours to ensure every patient received care.
A Shared Mission
This collaboration highlighted the importance of global partnerships in addressing neglected tropical diseases such as lymphatic filariasis and podoconiosis.
The volunteers worked closely with the LWAU executive team, sharing knowledge and supporting the organisation’s mission of improving access to lymphoedema care in Uganda.
Looking AheadLWAU continues to work toward long-term solutions, including:
- Establishing East Africa’s first Lymphedema Rehabilitation Center
- Expanding medical camps across Uganda
- Training local healthcare workers
- Advocating for national recognition of lymphoedema care
Acknowledgment
This experience was documented by Jane Board, an independent lymphoedema nurse practitioner from the United Kingdom. Her report was published by the British Lymphology Society and highlights the impact of volunteer-led medical outreach in Uganda.
We are deeply grateful to all volunteers and partners who continue to support our mission.
Together, we are working to ensure that people living with lymphoedema in Uganda receive the care, dignity, and support they deserve.Read the full report:
📄 Download PDF
