Health 11 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Museveni Orders Review of New Medical Internship Graduation Policy
President Yoweri Museveni has directed a review of a recent policy that mandates medical students complete an internship before graduating, emphasizing that graduation and internship are distinct processes. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/museveni-orders-review-of-new-medical-internship-policy-5628002
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a significant review of a recently implemented policy that requires medical students to complete a one-year internship before they can graduate. The President stated on social media that graduation and the subsequent housemanship period are separate processes and should not be conflated, a move that has been welcomed by the medical fraternity.
This new policy, which mandates that medical students must finish their internship before receiving their degree, had faced widespread criticism from students, interns, medical practitioners, and leaders of medical associations. Previously, students would complete their five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programs, graduate with their academic degree, and then undertake a separate one-year internship for professional registration and licensure. This system allowed for flexibility, particularly for graduates in related non-clinical fields.
Dr. Frank Asiimwe, President of the Uganda Medical Association, had previously indicated that the policy was enacted without adequate consultation with key stakeholders and that it contravened existing university academic regulations. He argued that requiring all medical students to graduate only after their internship could inadvertently turn hospitals into de facto academic institutions, shifting the academic training phase.
While the Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Diana Atwine, maintained that sufficient consultations were held, President Museveni’s directive offers relief to many in the medical sector. The President reiterated the government’s commitment to building a robust health sector with skilled professionals and indicated further consultations are planned regarding intern allowances, tax relief for health workers, and improved access to essential medical supplies, emphasizing affordability and sustainability in decision-making.