The elderly have been cautioned against risky health lifestyles, particularly alcoholism and cigarette smoking, which significantly increase the risk of developing non-communicable and lifestyle-related illnesses, including various forms of cancer.
The warning was sounded by Dr. Stephen Watya, a senior consultant urologist and former head of the Urology Department at Mulago National Referral Hospital, who is also the proprietor of URO Care Hospital in Nansana Municipality near Kampala.
He was addressing members of Idhindha Senior Citizens Association (ISCA) during its official inauguration ceremony held at Speke Courts Hotel in Jinja City on Friday, August 21, 2026.
Dr. Watya advised that people of advanced age should adopt proper, health-conscious lifestyles and embrace regular medical screening to enable early diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases that often present silently in old age.
He particularly warned that men above the age of 40 are at a high risk of developing prostate cancer, a disease whose incidence is notably high among African populations and continues to rise among the elderly.
“This disease is common among Africans and the incidence is high among the elderly, so it is important that we always go for screening to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment from authorized hospitals and medical personnel,” Dr. Watya advised.
According to him, cervical cancer remains the commonest cancer overall in Uganda, followed by prostate cancer, which is the leading cancer among men. He explained that in men, the incidence of prostate cancer often begins at age 40 and rises sharply after 50 years.
He noted that in developing countries like Uganda, the survival rate for prostate and other urological cancers remains low due to late detection, which is often caused by limited access to healthcare facilities, low awareness, fear, and reliance on unqualified personnel.
What Is Urology and How Do Urological Conditions Present?
Urology is the branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the urinary tract in both men and women, and the reproductive system in men. It covers the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, prostate, testes and penis.
Dr. Watya explained that urological conditions often present with symptoms that many elderly people tend to ignore or attribute to normal aging, which delays care.
Common presentations include difficulty in starting urination, weak urine stream, frequent urination especially at night, feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely, burning sensation while urinating, blood in urine or semen, persistent lower abdominal or flank pain, and erectile dysfunction.
In advanced prostate disease, patients may present with complete failure to urinate, bone pains especially in the lower back and hips due to metastasis, weight loss and general body weakness.
Predisposing Factors.
Dr. Watya outlined several predisposing factors for urological diseases, particularly prostate cancer and other lifestyle-related conditions.
Age is the leading risk factor, with risk increasing significantly after 40 years. Family history is another major factor; men whose fathers or brothers had prostate cancer carry a higher risk.
Race also matters, as studies show men of African descent have a higher incidence and more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Lifestyle factors play a critical role. These include cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet high in animal fats and low in fruits and vegetables, obesity, physical inactivity, and chronic dehydration.
Other factors include recurrent urinary tract infections, untreated sexually transmitted infections, prolonged exposure to certain chemicals, and hormonal imbalances that come with aging.
Why The Elderly Are More Affected.
Urological conditions disproportionately affect the elderly because aging is accompanied by physiological changes that weaken the body’s defense and repair systems, Dr. Watya noted.
As men age, the prostate gland naturally enlarges, a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which itself can cause urinary obstruction and, in some cases, mask or coexist with cancer.
The immune system also becomes less efficient with age, reducing the body’s ability to fight abnormal cell growth. The cumulative exposure to risk factors like smoking, alcohol and poor diet over decades manifests more in old age.
In addition, many elderly people have co-existing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, which affect kidney and bladder function and complicate urological health.
Limited mobility, reduced access to information and reluctance to seek medical care due to stigma also contribute to late presentation among senior citizens.
What Are Lifestyle Diseases?
Lifestyle diseases, also known as non-communicable diseases, are illnesses primarily caused by how people live rather than by infections.
They include cancers such as prostate, cervical, breast and colon cancers, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis and obesity-related disorders.
Dr. Watya emphasized that these diseases are largely preventable through modification of daily habits. He advised the elderly to avoid tobacco in all forms, limit alcohol intake, adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink adequate water, exercise regularly according to ability, maintain healthy body weight and go for regular medical check-ups.
An Appeal for Unity and Purpose
The Assistant Commissioner for the Elderly at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Patrick Menya, who represented the State Minister for the Elderly, Hon. Jacqueline Mbabazi, commended the founders of ISCA for the initiative and asked members to remain focused.
“We would like you to run this association transparently so that you serve as role models to the younger ones. Avoid fights over leadership roles as such tendencies derail the association from its initial objectives,” Menya said.
He observed that by coming together as senior citizens from different professions, members will be able to share experiences and expertise for the benefit of colleagues and the general public.
“We are proud of you and your contribution to the country. You are retired but we still need you,” Menya noted, while urging members to actively participate in government development programmes.
The Association chairman, Prof. Wilton Kezaala, said ISCA was established in June 2024 with the major purpose of bringing senior citizens above the age of 60 together to promote friendship, encourage mutual support and advocate for improved health and socio-economic wellbeing of the elderly.
“We know that old age is a natural phenomenon which is inevitable and it may cause some problems such as illness, inabilities, loneliness and boredom, but our potential such as accumulated experience, wisdom and determination can help us avoid them through chatting and advice from fellow senior citizens in our gatherings,” Prof. Kezaala said.
Prof Kezaala who is also the proprietor of the Kyabazinga way-based International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) asked members to remain united, focused and committed to the vision, mission and objectives of the group, while pledging to promote unity, transparency, respect and active participation in community development.
“We shall strive to develop programs that improve the lives of our members through income generating activities, health awareness, self-initiatives, social gatherings, counseling and community engagement,” he added.
The colorful inauguration brought together retired professionals, religious leaders including retired Busoga Diocese Bishop Rt Rev Paul Samson Moses Naimanhye, and government officials, all committing to support the welfare of senior citizens in Busoga and beyond.
