Uganda to Continue Shs1 Million Monthly Allowance for All Medical Interns

Medical interns in Uganda will continue to receive a monthly allowance of Shs1 million, following a significant policy reversal by the government. The Minister of Health, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi, announced in Parliament that Cabinet has decided to suspend a provision in the National Education and Training for Health Policy that proposed differentiating allowances based on sponsorship.

This decision comes after weeks of public outcry, media attention, and industrial action by medical interns who opposed the policy change. Previously, the policy suggested that only government-sponsored interns would receive their full allowance, while privately sponsored interns would only receive meal support. The Minister confirmed that the current cohort of interns will all receive the Shs1 million net pay, as has been the tradition.

“Cabinet recommended that we suspend that provision on facilitation and pay them as it has been. The current cohort of interns will all receive a net pay of Shs1 million,” Hon. Baryomunsi stated. He acknowledged that the new proposal had caused discomfort among interns.

Furthermore, the government has expanded the number of internship centers to 77, accommodating 2,490 medical interns across various disciplines including doctors, pharmacists, dentists, graduate nurses, and midwives. The Minister also revealed that a proposal requiring medical students to complete internship before graduation has been reversed, with academic requirements remaining the primary prerequisite for graduation.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, welcomed the government’s decision but urged for a review of the Shs1 million allowance, citing inflation and the changing economic landscape. He called for a sustainable long-term plan for intern facilitation beyond the current cohort.

Parliamentarians also emphasized the need for such decisions to be communicated directly to them rather than through public channels. The Ministry of Health is tasked with reviewing the policy to address broader human resource challenges in the health sector, including training numbers, public service absorption, and appropriate remuneration for health professionals.