news 7 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Archbishop Kaziimba Condemns Government Over Withheld Medical Interns' Allowances
Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has strongly criticized the government's decision to cut allowances for medical interns while continuing to fund luxury expenditures, including vehicles for Members of Parliament. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/archbishop-kaziimba-slams-govt-over-withdrawn-medical-interns-allowances-5488414
Archbishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu of the Church of Uganda has voiced strong disapproval of the government’s decision to discontinue allowances for medical interns. He highlighted the apparent contradiction in government spending, noting the allocation of billions for parliamentary vehicles while simultaneously citing inability to fund the Shs28 billion required for medical interns’ stipends.
During a service at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala, Archbishop Kaziimba emphasized the critical role medical interns play in Uganda’s healthcare system. He pointed out that these interns are often the ones performing the bulk of the work in hospitals, especially as doctors are reportedly less frequently present. “Doctors are rarely in the hospitals. It is the medical interns who are everywhere doing the donkey work,” he stated.
The Archbishop questioned the rationale behind prioritizing luxury spending over the welfare of healthcare professionals who are essential to public health. The government’s move to scrap the monthly upkeep allowances for medical interns, alongside a new policy requiring a mandatory one-year internship before degree awarding, has drawn widespread criticism.
Currently, medical interns receive a monthly allowance of Shs1 million, a reduction from the Shs2.4 million initially agreed upon following a 2021 presidential directive. The Archbishop’s remarks underscore a growing concern over the government’s priorities and its commitment to supporting frontline healthcare workers.
The issue was brought to light as Archbishop Kaziimba presided over an ordination and installation service for several clergy and lay officials. The context of his critique within a religious service signifies the moral and ethical dimensions of the government’s financial decisions impacting essential services.