Baryomunsi Blames ‘External Forces’ as Medical Interns Hold Back from Postings

What the report says

Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi told Parliament that government has already deployed eligible medical interns to accredited hospitals, but some have not reported for duty as welfare talks continue. In remarks reported by Nile Post, he said interns were expected to begin reporting between August 3 and August 14, while consultations on their concerns and new internship policy measures continue.

Baryomunsi said he had held a six-hour meeting with intern representatives and acknowledged that they have legitimate welfare concerns. However, he also alleged that unnamed “external forces” were encouraging the graduates not to report, without identifying who he meant. He stressed that internship remains a required stage of supervised training before full medical licensure, and rejected suggestions that the health system depends entirely on interns.

The dispute has drawn in the Uganda Medical Association, which has given government 14 days to settle the matter or face possible industrial action. According to the report, UMA wants a monthly internship allowance of Shs4 million and assurance that all eligible interns will be placed at accredited training sites. The association has also backed the interns’ refusal to report until their welfare is clarified.

The disagreement comes against a backdrop of staffing shortages in public health facilities, making the absence of interns a potential strain on service delivery. Baryomunsi said government expects to conclude consultations and present its final position next week.