By Gilbert Akampa
NATIONAL
Uganda Medical Association (UMA) has urged striking intern doctors to report to their designated internship sites following government’s acceptance to pay their internship allowances.
On Tuesday, the government announced it had resolved the long‑running pay and deployment disputes affecting medical interns, agreeing to maintain a uniform monthly facilitation and allowing medical students to graduate before beginning their internship.
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi informed Parliament that 2,490 pre‑interns have now been deployed to 77 accredited internship centres nationwide, easing a standoff that had stalled the placement of newly qualified health workers.
The breakthrough followed a cabinet minister’s meeting with the President.
The announcement followed concerns over delayed postings, unpaid stipends, and a controversial proposal to differentiate payments between government‑sponsored and privately sponsored interns.
Tensions escalated on August 12, when several interns were arrested during protests over the delays.
Nevertheless, health minister revealed government interventions to pay all interns equal facilitation. Under the new arrangement, all interns in the current cohort will receive UGX 1,268,929 per month before tax, translating to roughly UGX 1 million net.
Government has also suspended the earlier plan to pay privately sponsored interns less than their government‑sponsored colleagues.
UMA president, Dr. Frank Asiimwe welcomed the development and urged all interns to report immediately to the facilities where they were previously deployed.
He encouraged them to serve with diligence and professionalism, noting that UMA remains committed to engaging authorities to secure permanent and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing medical interns.
