Former Kampala Deputy Lord Mayor Doreen Nyanjura has strongly criticised the Ugandan government following reports that medical intern allowances have been withdrawn, warning that the move could worsen pressure on the country’s already strained public health system.
The controversy comes amid ongoing disputes over funding for medical interns and other trainee health workers, including Senior House Officers, with concerns over inconsistent payments and tightening government allocations.
The Ministry of Health has defended the position, arguing that some interns already receive government salaries while refugee interns are excluded on administrative grounds.
However, Nyanjura described the decision as a setback for frontline health workers, saying it undermines earlier commitments to improve their welfare amid rising living costs.
“For years, medical interns have protested to increase their monthly allowance from 750,000 UGX. Despite the Head of State’s pledge to fulfill the increment to 2,500,000 UGX, and in the face of a skyrocketing cost of living, the government has found a brilliant solution to the high cost of living; scrapping the allowance entirely instead of raising it,” she said.
She added that expecting young doctors to survive without adequate support was unrealistic given current economic pressures.
“Apparently, when food, rent, and medical care become too expensive, doctors are expected to live on pure patriotism,” Nyanjura said.
The former deputy lord mayor further warned that the decision could have wider consequences for public health facilities across the country.
“With this new development, the crisis in our public health centers will only get more dire,” she noted.
Nyanjura emphasised that the matter goes beyond interns alone, urging national attention to the welfare of health workers.
“Friends, this is no longer just an interns' battle, it is a crisis that affects every single Ugandan. We must all demand fair treatment for our frontline health workers,” she said.
The dispute over medical intern funding has persisted for years, with the Ministry of Health previously indicating that budget limitations restrict the number of interns the government can fully support.
Despite these explanations, concerns persist among health stakeholders that uncertainty over allowances may further weaken morale in hospitals, where interns remain a critical part of service delivery under supervision.