Uganda High Court: Medical Interns' Allowance Reinstated

• The Ugandan government has reinstated a monthly net allowance of Shs1 million for current medical interns.
• The decision was made by Minister of Health, Baryomunsi, during a House sitting on August 18, 2026.
• Government-sponsored interns will continue to receive the full allowance, while privately sponsored interns will receive support for meals.
• The reinstatement of the allowance is a crucial step towards ensuring that Uganda's health sector is adequately staffed and equipped to provide quality care.

This move comes after Cabinet recommended suspending the provision on facilitation and paying interns as it has been done traditionally.

In a reversal of a contentious policy, the Ugandan government has decided to reinstate a monthly net allowance of Shs1 million for current medical interns. The decision was made by Minister of Health, Baryomunsi, during a House sitting on August 18, 2026, following weeks of public debate and strikes by interns opposed to the provisions in the National Education and Training for Health Policy. This move comes after Cabinet recommended suspending the provision on facilitation and paying interns as it has been done traditionally. The current cohort of interns will all receive a net pay of Shs1 million, with government-sponsored interns continuing to receive the full allowance and privately sponsored interns receiving support for meals.

The reinstatement of the medical interns' allowance has significant implications for health policy in Uganda. The National Education and Training for Health Policy had proposed distinguishing between government-sponsored and privately sponsored interns, which led to public outcry and strikes by interns. This move highlights the need for a comprehensive review of human-resource challenges in the health sector, including the number of health professionals Uganda should train, their absorption into public service, and appropriate remuneration. The Minister has been tasked with preparing a paper addressing these issues and presenting it to Cabinet.

The reinstatement of the medical interns' allowance is a crucial step towards ensuring that Uganda's health sector is adequately staffed and equipped to provide quality care. However, there are still concerns about the sustainability and adequacy of this arrangement. Lawyers advising clients on medical internships in Uganda should note that while the current cohort will benefit from the reinstated allowance, there is ongoing debate about the long-term implications of this decision. The government's decision to review the policy and prepare a comprehensive paper addressing human-resource challenges in the health sector is a positive step towards finding a sustainable solution.

Lawyers advising clients on medical internships in Uganda should note that the government has reinstated a monthly net allowance of Shs1 million for current cohorts, but there is still debate about the sustainability and adequacy of this arrangement.

Source: Original reporting via Independent (Kampala)