Baryomunsi pledges review of contentious medical internship reforms

KAMPALA - Newly appointed Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi has reassured medical interns and the wider medical fraternity, promising that one of his first priorities upon assuming office will be to review the proposed reforms to medical training and internship that have sparked widespread concern among healthcare workers.

Speaking to journalists at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds shortly after the State of the Nation Address on June 4, 2026, Baryomunsi said government would carefully examine the details of the policy, particularly concerns surrounding intern allowances and the proposed restructuring of medical training.

Drawing on his own experience as a medical doctor, Baryomunsi said government recognises the important role interns play in Uganda's healthcare system and is committed to finding a workable solution.

“Let them not be worried. I have not yet fully settled into office, but once I do, we shall review the details of the proposal. I know Interns have been receiving allowances and we need to assess how many interns we have, what resources are available, and what support government can sustainably provide,” Baryomunsi said.

“The NRM government respects doctors, values their contribution and has always supported them. We are also doctors ourselves, so they should remain calm as we study the details and engage all stakeholders,” he added.

His remarks come just hours after medical interns and doctors, under the Uganda Medical Association (UMA), appealed for a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni over the proposed reforms.

The proposed policy changes include extending undergraduate medical training from five to six years by incorporating internship into the degree programme and requiring students to complete internship before graduation.

Medical interns have largely welcomed efforts to improve medical training standards but strongly oppose proposals that would require them to undertake internship without allowances and delay graduation until completion of the internship year.

Doctors argue that internship is a critical period during which young medics provide essential services in public health facilities and should continue receiving government support.

“You can’t send a hungry medic to treat patients; this will automatically impact the quality of care to the patients, and in the end, it’s the ordinary Ugandan to suffer. Internship is not studies, it’s a practice to prove, it's work that’s why they at times work up to 36 hours,” Dr Frank Asiimwe, the UMA president, told New Vision.

The controversy has triggered growing debate within the health sector, with an online campaign, Free Medical Interns, and professional associations calling for broader consultations before any reforms are implemented in August 2026.