Uganda's Commitment: World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2025

Uganda joined the global community in commemorating World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (WHPCD) 2025 under the theme “Achieving the Promise: Universal Access to Palliative Care.” The national commemorations were jointly organized by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Palliative Care Association of Uganda (PCAU), and Hospice Africa Uganda. The 2025 theme was built on the global campaign marking ten years since the World Health Assembly adopted a resolution. The resolution calls on all countries to strengthen palliative care as part of comprehensive care throughout the life course Uganda’s commemorations focused on translating this promise into action through community empowerment, education, partnerships, and advocacy. Several activities were held including: 1. Empowering Communities through a National Webinar The commemorations began with a free public national webinar held on Wednesday, 8 October 2025, themed “Empowering Communities.” The webinar, moderated by Mark-Donald Mwesiga, the Executive Director of the Palliative Care Association of Uganda, attracted over 100 participants from across Uganda and beyond. The speakers at the webinar included: Dr. Miriam Ajambo the Principal Medical Officer, Ministry of Health Uganda who highlighted evidence and practice on meeting the holistic palliative care needs of seriously ill children. “As health workers, we are trained to see disease but not always suffering. Palliative Care teaches us both. – Palliative Care isn’t just about treatment its about seeing and addressing suffering” Dr. Miriam Ajambo, Principle Medical Officer, Ministry of Health Dr. Fernanda Bastos, is an Internal Medicine and Palliative Care Specialist and researcher at the ATLANTES Global Observatory of Palliative Care (WHO Collaborating Centre), who shared insights from the APCA Palliative Care Atlas, reflecting on Africa’s progress and Uganda’s contribution. “As the only country in Africa to have reached an advanced level of palliative care, Uganda has reached a milestone worth celebrating but not a reason to relax. Together, we can strengthen every arm of palliative care from hospitals to homes. This is a remarkable milestone that reflects dedication, leadership, and vision” Dr. Fernada Bastos, Internal Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist, University of Navarra Ms. Prossy Nakyanja, the Executive Director, Hospice Africa Uganda, who reflected on 32 years of expanding community-based palliative care at the institution she serves. “Behind every story of healing is a team driven by love and service” Prossy Nakyanja, Executive Director, Hospice Africa Uganda Dr. Rony Bahatungire, the Acting Commissioner for Clinical Services, Ministry of Health, who delivered the closing remarks and reaffirmed the government commitment to strengthening palliative care services nationwide. “On behalf of the government of Uganda and the Ministry of Health, we commit to support all interventions aimed at strengthening palliative care services in this country. This is not a promise, it’s a pledge to every Ugandan in need of care, dignity and comfort” Dr. Rony Bahatungire, Ag. Commissioner Clinical Services, Ministry of Health. 2. Engaging Schools to Build Compassionate Communities The main WHPCD commemoration took place on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at Hospice Africa Uganda, with the aim of integrating and strengthening palliative care awareness into primary and secondary education. As part of this effort, PCAU organized an essay writing competition among schools implementing school compassionate community programmes, encouraging learners to reflect on the global theme of universal access to palliative care. The schools that attended were able to The event was officially opened by Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education and Sports, who highlighted the role of education in nurturing compassion, empathy, and character alongside academic excellence. Awards were presented to participating schools in recognition of their commitment to promoting compassion within communities. “Education must develop the mind, heart and hands. Schools should nurture compassion, empathy and character alongside academics”. Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda Senior officials from the Ministry of Health, including Dr. Charles Olaro the Director General of Health Services, emphasized the need for skilled practitioners, public awareness, and stronger integration of palliative care within health systems. Other dignitaries in attendance noted the following: “Palliative Care is more than medicine. It is presence, comfort and dignity. From educating communities to advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves, every act of care makes a difference. “Mark-Donald Mwesiga, Executive Director, Palliative Care Association of Uganda. “Across Africa, palliative care progress is real, but access is uneven”. Dr. Nixon Niyonzima, PCAU Board Chairperson. “Today we unite globally to honour compassion, dignity, and care for those facing serious health related suffering. Palliative care is a human right and not a privilege.” Dr. Ronarld Lubega, African Palliative Care Association Hosted at Hospice Africa Uganda, this main commemoration brought together over 150 participants from 23 organizations, five media houses, and four schools, including government institutions, civil society organizations, health facilities, academia, faith-based organizations, and development partners. They included Little Penguins Nursery and Primary, Bishop Sisto Mazoldi SS, Mandela SS Hoima, Ishaka Adventist Hospital, Tiabah International School, Friends of Canon Gideon Foundation, Ministry of Health, Hospice Africa Uganda- Little Hospice Hoima, Rays of Hope Hospice Jinja, Kawempe Home Care, Lweza Community Health Programme, Kitovu Mobile, African Palliative Care Association, SD Cancer Palliative Care Centre, The Aged Family Uganda, Uganda Network on Law Ethics and HIV/AIDS, Palliative care Education and Research Consortium, Makerere University School of Public Health, Old Mutual, Cancer Disabilities Advocacy Centre, Uganda Cancer Society, Uganda National Association of the Deaf, BDO East Africa, St. Francis Hospital Nsambya, Uganda Cancer Institute, Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, Daily Press, Mama Fm, Family TV and Monitor Publications. National media coverage amplified the palliative care message, with stories published and broadcast through print, radio, television, and online platforms. Some of the stories published from the event were: Monitor Publications Mama FM Daily Press Family TV UBC TV The WHPCD 2025 commemorations in Uganda achieved: Increased public awareness of palliative care through schools, media, and digital platforms. Strengthened community engagement through school-based compassionate community initiatives. Enhanced partnerships and collaboration among government, civil society, health institutions, and the media. Amplified media advocacy, ensuring that palliative care messages reached national and international audiences. Looking ahead, Uganda continues to advance palliative care integration within its health system. The WHPCD 2025 commemorations reaffirmed that achieving universal access requires collective action by government, communities, schools, health workers, and partners alike. By empowering communities and nurturing compassion from an early age, Uganda is making steps toward fulfilling the promise that no one should suffer without care, dignity, and comfort.