Uganda Government to Reconsider Stoppage of Medical Intern Payments

The Ugandan government is set to re-evaluate its policy regarding the payment of medical interns, a move that comes after significant outcry and parliamentary debate. Vice President Jessica Alupo assured the House that the Cabinet would discuss the proposed Medical Education and Internship Policy, with the Minister of Health expected to provide a statement.

This intervention by the Vice President followed sharp concerns voiced by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi. He highlighted media reports suggesting that medical interns would no longer receive their monthly allowances starting August 2026, a decision he argued would be detrimental to the healthcare system.

Ssenyonyi stressed the vital role medical interns play in supporting the country’s health infrastructure, often working long, demanding hours in government hospitals and health centers. He questioned how these essential workers would sustain themselves and remain committed to their duties without financial support.

The opposition leader urged the government to prioritize finding the necessary funds, drawing a parallel to recent government decisions to save money, such as suspending public holiday functions. He emphasized that provisions should be made to ensure medical interns are compensated for their critical services.

The new policy, as reported, aims to integrate medical internship into the formal university education system, but the suspension of allowances has sparked widespread concern about its practical implications for the interns themselves and the healthcare sector at large.

Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/index.php/news/4457/govt-review-policy-payment-medical-interns