The Palliative Care Association of Uganda deeply mourns the passing of Dr. Anne Merriman, a visionary and compassionate founding member, and a true pioneer of palliative care in Africa. Dr. Merriman, born in Liverpool in 1935, passed away in Kampala, Uganda on May 18, 2025, dedicated her life to ensuring that critically ill patients, especially in resource-limited settings, could live and die with dignity and without pain. Her strong vision and kindness were the driving force of everything we do, and her introduction of affordable oral morphine revolutionized end-of-life care in Uganda and across the continent.

We will always remember her extraordinary work, including founding Hospice Africa Uganda in 1993, which has since trained hundreds of health care professionals from over 37 African countries, and her instrumental role in establishing the Palliative Care Association of Uganda and the African Palliative Care Association. Her legacy as the ‘mother of palliative care in Africa’ will continue to inspire us.

Join Us for the Burial Ceremony:

For those who may not be able to attend the physical burial ceremony, please join us online for the burial ceremony of Dr. Anne Merriman, which will be live-streamed. You can access the live stream and pay your respects here: The Burial Ceremony of Dr. Anne Merriman

May her soul find eternal peace, and may her compassionate memory continue to inspire our work.

Read more about Dr. Anne Merriman’s extraordinary life and enduring impact: The Palliative Care Community Mourns Dr. Anne Merriman