The Bishop of the church of Uganda Archbishop Samuel Kaziimba Mugalu has sharply criticised the Ugandan government’s decision to remove allowances for medical interns, marking a notable shift in tone months after facing public backlash over his perceived silence on national issues.
In a statement, Kaziimba questioned the government’s spending priorities, drawing comparisons between allocations for legislators and frontline health workers.
“You cannot say that you have Shs158 billion to purchase cars for Members of Parliament and then claim that you do not have Shs28 billion to pay medical interns' allowances, with the excuse that it would crush the economy,” he said.
The remarks come amid growing discontent within Uganda’s health sector following the government’s move to scrap intern allowances under a new policy that reclassifies internship as part of medical training rather than employment.
Kaziimba went further to highlight the critical role played by interns in public hospitals, suggesting that the decision overlooks the realities of service delivery in the country’s strained health system.
“By the way, senior doctors are rarely in the hospitals. It is the medical interns who are everywhere doing the donkey work,” he added.
Medical interns in Uganda have long been central to hospital operations, particularly in understaffed public facilities where they handle patient care, emergency response, and routine clinical duties under supervision.
The removal of allowances has raised concerns among practitioners and stakeholders who argue that interns rely on the stipends for basic survival, including accommodation and transport.
The Archbishop’s intervention is significant given the criticism he faced earlier in 2026, when sections of the public accused him of not speaking out strongly enough on governance challenges under President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.
Critics had pointed to his cautious approach on issues such as human rights, cost of living, and political freedoms.
At the time, Kaziimba defended his position, stating that he preferred a measured and less confrontational style of leadership.
However, his latest comments suggest a more assertive stance on socio-economic matters affecting ordinary Ugandans.
Health sector stakeholders have also intensified opposition to the policy, warning that the removal of allowances could demotivate young doctors and worsen staffing challenges in public hospitals.
Some medical associations have already taken legal action, arguing that the policy undermines both training and service delivery.
Kaziimba’s criticism now adds a powerful religious voice to the debate, potentially amplifying calls for the government to reconsider the decision or introduce alternative support mechanisms for interns.