Uganda Government Commits Shs 1 Million Monthly Stipend to Medical Interns

The Ugandan government has resolved to provide a monthly stipend of Shs 1 million to all medical interns across the country. This decision comes after a period of considerable unrest, during which a large number of the 2,417 deployed interns refused to report to work due to unresolved grievances regarding their allowances and working conditions.

The payments are set to be disbursed from August through December. This move represents a significant shift from a previously proposed policy that had intended to do away with standard intern allowances altogether.

Under the earlier draft National Education and Training for Health Policy, the government had planned to offer support only to government-sponsored students. Privately sponsored graduates were expected to receive a much smaller meal allowance, relying heavily on financial support from their families for other living expenses.

Furthermore, the contentious policy had also sought to require medical students to complete their internship before formal graduation. However, this requirement has now been canceled, allowing interns to graduate before commencing their mandatory training period.

While the uniform payment for all interns is seen as a positive step, some stakeholders feel it does not fully meet expectations. The Uganda Medical Association has been advocating for junior doctors to receive Shs 4 million monthly. The current stipend falls short of this demand, which was reiterated after a 14-day ultimatum threatening industrial action was issued.

Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi confirmed to parliament the suspension of discriminatory payment arrangements between government and privately sponsored interns. He assured that the core structure of medical training in Uganda remains intact, with graduates from various health professions continuing their traditional progression path after completing their degrees.

Source: The Observer (Uganda)