Medical pre-interns seek clarity on welfare ahead of August deployment
"We appreciate that the government has acknowledged concerns surrounding the policy and indicated that it is under review. However, with deployment drawing closer, we request clarity on the way forward, particularly regarding welfare facilitation and internship arrangements," Ssegonga said.
Dr Silver Ssegonga, speaking on behalf of the prospective interns, said while government leaders had indicated that the policy was under review, formal communication on the next steps was necessary given the approaching deployment period. (Courtesy Photo)
KAMPALA - Prospective medical interns have asked the government to provide clarity on their welfare and the implementation of the National Education and Training for Health (NETH) Policy ahead of their scheduled deployment in August, saying certainty on the way forward will enable them to prepare for service delivery.
The appeal comes as the Ministry of Health continues reviewing the NETH Policy following concerns raised by various stakeholders over its implementation.
Addressing journalists on July 21, 2026, representatives of the 2026/2027 medical pre-interns said that with less than two weeks to the expected deployment, they were yet to receive communication on key issues, including welfare facilitation, internship allowances and deployment arrangements.
Dr Silver Ssegonga, speaking on behalf of the prospective interns, said while government leaders had indicated that the policy was under review, formal communication on the next steps was necessary given the approaching deployment period.
"We appreciate that the government has acknowledged concerns surrounding the policy and indicated that it is under review. However, with deployment drawing closer, we request clarity on the way forward, particularly regarding welfare facilitation and internship arrangements," Ssegonga said.
According to documents accessed by the New Vision, 2,290 medical doctors have already been allocated placements from 17 universities, with Kampala International University alone having 578 allocations.
The National Education and Training for Health Policy, introduced in 2025 by the Ministries of Health and Education and Sports, proposes reforms to the training of health professionals.
Some of its provisions, including changes to internship arrangements and welfare facilitation, have since attracted concern from professional associations and prospective interns.
The Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI), which said it represents more than 2,000 medical doctors, dental surgeons, pharmacists, nurses and midwives undertaking internships in 73 hospitals across the country, appealed to the government to conclude the review process in consultation with key stakeholders.
FUMI president Dr Jacob Mwadha said prospective interns remain committed to serving across the country but require clear guidance before reporting to their respective stations.
"We are ready to serve Uganda in every district, including the most remote and challenging areas. However, we believe adequate welfare support is important to enable interns to effectively deliver healthcare services," Mwadha said.
The federation is requesting the government to issue a written statement clarifying the status of the policy, the planned welfare provisions for interns and measures to address outstanding payment backlogs before deployment begins.
Mwadha said among the proposals by the interns is that allowances should be paid monthly rather than quarterly to ease accommodation, transport and meal expenses during the internship period.
"Internship involves long working hours, including overnight and emergency shifts. Timely facilitation enables health workers to concentrate on service delivery and respond effectively to patients' needs," he said.
Kirunda added that prospective interns were also requesting guidance on the implementation of a 2021 presidential directive that increased medical interns' facilitation, noting that they were seeking a review of the current rates in light of the rising cost of living.
The interns further observed that many public health facilities continue to face staffing shortages, making timely deployment of the new cohort important for sustaining healthcare services.
According to the group, deployment of all eligible interns would help strengthen service delivery in regional referral hospitals and other public health facilities where interns support senior clinicians in patient management.
Medical internship is a mandatory one-year supervised training programme undertaken after graduation by doctors, dental surgeons, pharmacists, nurses and midwives before full registration by their respective professional councils.
The Ministry of Health has previously indicated that concerns raised about the NETH Policy are being reviewed following consultations with stakeholders. Government leaders, including the Vice-President, Prime Minister and Minister of Health, have publicly stated that the policy is under review.
The prospective interns said they remain hopeful that the review process will be concluded before the August deployment to allow a smooth transition for the new cohort and uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services across the country.