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Introduction: Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is now the commonest diagnosis in patients referred to Hospice Uganda. This retrospective study of patients with KS seeks to identify the palliative care needs demonstrated by this population. Methods: Patients referred to Hospice Uganda with KS between 1 April l998 and 31 March 1999 were identified, and their notes retrieved. Basic epidemiological data were recorded, in addition to details of the problems elicited at the initial assessment. Results: One-hundred-and-nineteen patients with KS were referred in the 12-month period (22% of the total). Of these, 74 were male and 45 female. Ages ranged from 3 to 65 years, with 70% between 20 and 39 years. Hospice records were retrieved for all but one patient. Of the 106 patients in whom it was recorded, 60 identified pain as the major source of distress and 25 reported psychosocial problems, including distress regarding their diagnosis, concerns about family members, financial difficulties and fear of dying. Pain was identified as a problem in the initial problem lists for 112 of the 115 in whom this was completed. Thirty-five per cent of these complained of a single pain, 39% of two pains and 23% of three or more pains. Other problems identified at initial assessment included gastrointestinal symptoms in 55%, central nervous system symptoms in 21%, respiratory symptoms in 21%, oedema in 21% (specifically identified as lymphoedema in one patient and described as woody oedema in four) and genitourinary symptoms in 13%.