By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni says government does not have sufficient funds to support medical interns.
The President was speaking to a group of 210 post-medical interns who had completed their patriotism and ideological training at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi, at State House Entebbe on Saturday. He said the government would pay if it had the money, but it has limited resources
“Who pays for the internship? Some people are saying that the government must pay but I think that is risky because the government would pay if it had money but it doesn’t have enough money since it has got a lot of things to do like roads, security etc,” said Museveni.
“I don’t think it is okay to tie the future of our young doctors with government funding because it may delay or it may not be there,” he added.
Museveni proposed that the individual or organization that sponsored the medical student’s undergraduate education should also fund their internship as opposed to government’s sponsorship of medical interns.
“Why don’t we agree that a person who has qualified as a medical doctor after five years in the medical school, continues with the internship but with sponsorship from the person who sponsored him in the first place?”
Additionally, the President encouraged the young medical professionals to consider joining the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) or police force, promising a warm welcome.
“Joining UPDF and police as medical professionals is music to my ears. You are still young and energetic. I can guarantee you, you are most welcome in the army and police anytime. Even now I can recruit you here.”
