Govt to Pay All Medical Interns Shs1.2m Monthly

What the report says

Government has reinstated monthly support for medical interns in Uganda, with Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi telling Parliament that both government-sponsored and privately sponsored interns will receive Shs1.2 million a month, subject to tax. The announcement came as Cabinet reviews the national internship policy governing training in the health sector. According to Nile Post, the decision reverses an earlier move that had triggered concern after officials sought to treat internship as continued training rather than formal employment.

Baryomunsi made the update during a parliamentary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa. He said the Cabinet resolution applies to current interns while the broader policy review continues. The minister also said the government has expanded internship centres to 77 to provide placements and supervision for 2,490 medical interns expected to begin training this year.

The report said the policy review is intended to set clearer standards and competencies for internship training and streamline medical education. Baryomunsi also raised the possibility that salaries for health workers could eventually be treated differently for tax purposes, similar to security personnel, though he said this would require further discussion with relevant stakeholders.

Nile Post added that the ministry plans to speak with the Judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecutions over charges facing eight pre-interns who tried to petition Parliament. Opposition and health committee leaders welcomed the restoration of facilitation, saying it could ease tension in the health sector.