Uganda Government to Reconsider Stoppage of Medical Intern Payments

The Ugandan government is set to re-evaluate its recent policy of discontinuing monthly allowances for medical interns. This comes after significant concerns were voiced by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, during a parliamentary sitting.

Ssenyonyi highlighted that medical interns play a crucial role in supporting the healthcare system, often working long, demanding hours in government hospitals and health centers. He questioned how these essential workers would sustain themselves and report for duty without financial support, emphasizing that government policies should ultimately serve the people.

In response, Vice President Jessica Alupo stated that the proposed Medical Education and Internship Policy would be brought before the Cabinet for discussion. She affirmed that the government acknowledges the importance of human resource development and expressed a willingness to review the policy, noting that government initiatives are designed for the benefit of its citizens.

The decision to stop payments, slated to take effect from August 2026, was reportedly part of a move to integrate the internship period into the formal university education system. However, Ssenyonyi urged the government to urgently find funds to continue paying the interns, drawing a comparison to recent cost-saving measures taken by the government.

The Ministry of Health is expected to present a formal statement to the House following the Cabinet deliberations on this critical issue affecting the country’s medical workforce.

Source: Howwe Entertainment