Government has suspended the proposal that would have ended facilitation for medical interns, with the current cohort set to receive a monthly net allowance of Shs1 million.
Minister of Health Hon. Chris Baryomunsi made the announcement during Parliament’s sitting on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, following weeks of public debate and protests by medical interns over changes proposed under the National Education and Training for Health Policy.
Baryomunsi said Cabinet had resolved to suspend the contested provision and maintain the existing facilitation arrangement for the current cohort.
He said Government had also expanded internship centres to 77 and deployed 2,490 medical interns, including doctors, pharmacists, dentists, graduate nurses and midwives.
The Minister added that Cabinet had tasked him with reviewing the policy and preparing a comprehensive paper on human resource challenges in the health sector, including the number of health professionals Uganda should train, their absorption into public service and appropriate remuneration.
Baryomunsi also announced the reversal of a proposal that would have required medical students to complete internship before graduation. He said students will continue to graduate after fulfilling their academic requirements, while internship will remain a separate requirement for professional practice.
He further said Government would engage relevant agencies to secure the release of medical interns who were arrested during demonstrations against the earlier policy.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi welcomed the decision but called for a review of the Shs1 million allowance, arguing that its value has been eroded by inflation.
The Chairperson of the Health Committee, Hon. Julius Rude, urged Government to provide for internship facilitation in the national budget and ensure that interns have safe accommodation near their deployment facilities.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa also urged Ministers to brief Parliament on Cabinet decisions with significant implications rather than allowing MPs to learn about them through the media.
