Medical students call for dialogue on proposed six-year training reform

KAMPALA - Medical students have urged the Government to first undertake wider consultations and structured engagement with stakeholders over a proposed reform that would require them to complete a one-year internship before graduation, effectively extending medical training to six years.

In a statement issued on March 8, 2026, the Federation of Uganda Medical Students’ Associations (FUMSA) says the proposed reform by the health ministry and that of education representa significant structural shift in the country’s medical education system and should be implemented through careful planning and dialogue.

The proposal, first reported in the February 28–March 1 Weekend Vision, suggests that medical students complete their internship before graduating rather than after obtaining their degrees.

According to FUMSA president Amon Nkwasiibwe, such a major reform required broad consultation with key stakeholders, including medical schools, students and professional regulators, to ensure that the changes strengthened training while protecting students.

“Such a major policy shift must be informed by broad engagement, transparent dialogue and collaborative planning,” Nkwasiibwe said in the statement.

The association says it remains ready to engage constructively with the Government and other stakeholders to help develop reforms that address gaps in medical training without destabilising students or weakening professional safeguards.

Medical students note that internship plays a critical role in preparing young doctors for real-life clinical practice because it involves frontline service delivery in hospitals, often under demanding conditions.

Key concerns

However, FUMSA say integrating internship into the academic programme raised several questions that required clear policy guidance before the reform could be implemented.

One of the key concerns raised by the students was the financial implications of the proposed system.

Traditionally, interns in Uganda receive government allowances while working in hospitals after graduation. However, in The Weekend Vision story, director of public health Dr Daniel Kyabayinze, highlighted that the Government will continue giving interns some allowances.

Under the proposed framework, where interns may remain classified as students, the association said it was important for government to clarify whether the allowances would continue and how they would be protected.

“There is understandable concern about whether these allowances will remain guaranteed, adequately funded and protected from future policy shifts,” the association said.

Students also raised questions about whether they would be required to pay tuition during the internship year if it became part of the university program.

Many medical students are sponsored by government schemes, private institutions, non-governmental organisations and individual benefactors that typically fund a five-year course of study.

FUMSA warns that an additional year could create financial uncertainty if sponsorship agreements were not adjusted accordingly.

The association therefore called for legally binding assurances to protect internship allowances and ensure that sponsorship commitments are safeguarded under any new training framework.

FUMSA also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong professional oversight during internship training. Traditionally, internship in Uganda has been regulated by the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council, which supervises and evaluates newly qualified doctors.

The students said any reform should clearly define oversight mechanisms to ensure that professional standards are maintained.

At a time when Uganda continues to face a shortage of doctors, the association said reforms should aim to strengthen the country’s medical workforce pipeline rather than create barriers that could discourage capable students from pursuing medical careers.

FUMSA therefore urged government to resume structured negotiations with stakeholders and ensure that medical students are represented in discussions about reforms that directly affect their training and future practice.