Our History
The birth of Hospice Africa Uganda
Hospice Africa Uganda was founded in September 1993 by the late Dr. Anne Merriman, who recognised the urgent need for palliative care in Uganda and wider Africa.
The story of Hospice Africa Uganda (HAU) began with a childhood dream. At just four years old Dr. Merriman was deeply moved when her mother showed her images of sick children in Africa from a journal called Echo from Africa. With the innocence and determination of a child, the Liverpool-born visionary declared that one day she would become a nurse and go to Africa to help the sick.
A decade later, that early aspiration was reinforced when she watched Visitation, a film about the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMMs). Inspired by their founder, Mother Mary Martin, who brought healthcare to Nigeria's most vulnerable, young Anne resolved to join the order and dedicate her life to serving the sick in Africa.
After completing her schooling, she joined the MMMs in Ireland and was sent by the order to study medicine at University College Dublin. Over the next 30 years, during which time she left the MMM order but retained her deep faith, she gained extensive experience as a Consultant and Associate Professor across various medical disciplines, including Public Health, Clinical Geriatrics, and Palliative Care. Yet, her true calling remained—to bring compassionate care to Africa.
In 1993, at the age of 57, Dr. Anne founded Hospice Africa Uganda with a bold vision: palliative care for all in need in Africa. She decided on Uganda after feasibility studies in four African countries. At the time, Uganda was facing a rising cancer burden, and the HIV/AIDS crisis was at its peak. With 57% of the rural population lacking access to healthcare and a life expectancy of just 38 years, the need for palliative care was urgent.
Expanding Palliative Care across Africa
1993: HAU sees first patients in Kampala in September.
1993: The Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa and International Programmes set up to help fulfil the mission to spread palliative care throughout Africa
1996: Little Hospice Hoima opens in western Uganda
1998: Mobile Hospice Mbarara opens in southwestern Uganda
2002: Law changes to allow nurses prescribe morphine – a landmark moment in the life of HAU
2003: HAU founder Dr Anne Merriman awarded an MBE (Member of British Empire) for her contribution to health in Uganda.
2010: HAU enters Public Private Partnership with Ugandan Government to supply oral liquid morphine for all of Uganda
2011: With support from the American Cancer Society HAU gets delivery of its first automated Morphine Production Unit
2014: HAU founder Dr anne Merriman nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
2014: Research and Ethics Committee for HAU accredited by Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST)
2019: Enrolment of first Masters in Palliative Care students at the Institute for Hospice and Palliative Care
A model of affordable, culturally sensitive care
Understanding the immense suffering caused by untreated pain, Dr. Anne developed a model of affordable palliative care tailored to Uganda’s cultural context. A breakthrough came when she convinced the then Minister of Health, Dr. James Makumbi, to allow the importation of powdered morphine to allow HAU produce oral liquid morphine for pain management using a formula Dr Anne devised when she worked in Singapore.
With Uganda facing a severe shortage of doctors, there was a problem getting morphine prescribers and the next step for Dr. Anne and her team was to advocate for trained nurses and clinical officers to prescribe morphine. Change came in 2003 when a landmark policy was passed allowing for this pivotal moment which enabled HAU to expand its reach, bringing relief to countless patients.
Today, in partnership with the Ugandan government, HAU manufactures oral morphine at its Kampala site at a very low cost, ensuring that patients can “live until they die” with dignity and comfort.
Expanding palliative care across Uganda
Recognising the urgent need for palliative care beyond Kampala, HAU expanded its services:
1995: HAU was invited to Mbarara in western Uganda to teach palliative care at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). This led to the establishment of a dedicated palliative care service in the region.
1998: A second clinical branch, Little Hospice Hoima, was founded in Hoima—a rural, war-torn area where access to medical care was scarce. Starting in modest premises, the clinic later secured funding for a larger center, bringing vital services to more patients.
Spreading the vision through education and training
To realise its vision of palliative care for all in Africa, HAU launched the Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care in Africa (IHPCA) at its Makindye site in Kampala. The institute offers short courses, diplomas and degree programmes in palliative care, training healthcare professionals from across the continent. In 2023, it celebrated a historic milestone with the graduation of Africa’s first-ever Master’s in Palliative Care students.
Additionally, HAU’s International Programmes team collaborates with partner organisations, governments and health institutions across Africa, advocating for the introduction of palliative care services. When HAU was established in 1993, palliative care was available in just three African countries—today, it is present in 37 nations.
A Legacy of compassion and impact
More than 30 years since its founding, Hospice Africa Uganda has transformed the lives of approximately 40,000 critically ill patients. What started as one woman’s childhood dream has grown into a movement, bringing hope, dignity, and comfort to thousands across Uganda and beyond.
Hospice Africa Uganda remains steadfast in its mission: ensuring that no one suffers needlessly from pain, and that every patient receives compassionate care in their final days.
