Uganda’s unfolding dispute over medical interns’ welfare has intensified, with Dr Alfred Anyama delivering a forceful intervention that blends policy criticism with historical reflection, as government plans to scrap or reduce intern allowances continue to draw backlash.
The controversy stems from a broader policy shift that seeks to reclassify medical internship as part of academic training rather than paid service—effectively removing the basis for government allowances.
The proposal has triggered concern among health workers and lawmakers, who warn of its potential impact on morale and service delivery.
In his latest remarks, Dr Anyama accused authorities of long-standing neglect toward young doctors, citing delayed deployment, inconsistent payments, and worsening working conditions.
He warned that the latest move risks deepening an already fragile situation.
“Sitaane has, for years, attacked the welfare of Uganda’s medical interns through neglect, delayed deployment, and poor pay. However, Sitaane has miscalculated,” he said.
He framed the issue within Uganda’s broader political history, arguing that the treatment of medical interns contradicts the values that shaped the country’s liberation struggles.
“The welfare of our young doctors is not something we can ignore forever. It is one of the reasons we fought Amin in the 1970s and later Obote in the 1980s. Our struggle has always been about restoring dignity, justice, and opportunity for all Ugandans,” he stated.
Dr Anyama also highlighted the role of medical professionals in national service, referencing opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye’s contribution during the bush war as an example of doctors’ broader societal impact.
At the centre of his intervention was the issue of allowances. He revealed that he had previously directed that medical interns be paid UGX 2.5 million per month, but expressed alarm over reports that the amount had been reduced to UGX 1 million by officials within the Ministry of Health.
“I have, however, recently learnt that wrong elements within the Ministry of Health reduced these allowances to UGX 1 million, which is totally unacceptable,” he said.
He added that he had tasked Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi to provide a full account of the decision, signalling possible internal disagreements within government over the policy direction.
Dr Anyama also dismissed proposals to limit allowances to only government-sponsored students, describing the idea as exclusionary and disconnected from social realities.
“We must equally remember the countless children of peasants whose parents sold livestock, cultivated gardens, borrowed money, and made enormous sacrifices so that their sons and daughters could become doctors,” he noted.
He argued that such families view medical education as a long-term investment, warning that selective support could widen inequality within the profession.
Drawing on historical continuity, he pointed to generations of doctors who rose through the internship system to become key figures in Uganda’s health sector, including renowned surgeon Prof Emmanuel Ojara.
He also referenced past advocacy by senior officials such as Dr Ruth Aceng and Dr Baryomunsi during their own internship years, noting that they had previously pushed for improved allowances.
“Supporting medical interns is not an expense. It is an investment in Uganda’s healthcare system, and that is something we cannot take for granted,” he emphasised.
He concluded by directing the Ministry of Health to urgently address the ongoing concerns and safeguard the welfare of interns.