The police fired tear gas canisters to disperse a group of pre-medical interns who were engaged in nationwide protests and at least nine interns were arrested during the incident.
The interns were demonstrating against the government’s delayed deployment and its plan to eliminate allowances for certain interns from private medical schemes or institutions.
Pre-medical interns, including doctors, pharmacists, and nurses who have already completed medical school, require a one-year placement in a hospital to obtain a permanent practicing license from their professional councils.
However, by the end of last night, the group had been released on police bond, with the government making a commitment to pay their allowances. Police authorities in Kampala maintained that the demonstrations were carried out illegally. Similar protests by pre-medical interns were also dispersed by police in Arua, Gulu, and Kabale.
Mr. Herbert Aiko, the leader of the intern group in Gulu, expressed during a press briefing prior to the strike that the government’s decision to eliminate training facilitation for privately sponsored students was not only an act of malice but also a disservice to the nation. He emphasized the urgent need for the deployment of all medical pre-interns with compensation, stating that interns play a crucial role in providing 75 percent of medical care, including emergency and on-call coverage within the healthcare system.
These protests occurred four days after a meeting between leaders of the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and government officials at the Office of the Prime Minister failed to resolve issues related to the emolument of medical professionals, which has contributed to the delayed deployment. The Ministry of Health cited insufficient funds as the reason for the inability to pay medical interns. However, they assured that plans were underway to deploy them.
During the meeting, it was revealed by sources within UMA that the Prime Minister, Ms. Robina Nabbanja, introduced a new policy that restricts the payment of allowances to medical interns who studied under private schemes or from private universities.
However, interns from private schemes would still receive food and transportation allowances, while accommodations and other basic needs would be self-sponsored by the students. Previously, the government covered all intern allowances.
Furthermore, the prime minister stated that this compulsory supervised practice (internship) would be considered an additional year to the medical school degree, which differs from the current program where medical graduates attend it after completing their degrees.
The prime minister also mandated that all medical professionals must undergo mandatory leadership and patriotism training in Kyankwanzi before entering the field of work.
One source reported that Ms. Nabbanja requested the pre-interns to work for free, as the government lacked the funds to cater for their allowances. These proposals were met with opposition from pre-medical interns and other doctors who argued that the workload for interns in health facilities is substantial, and they deserve compensation in order to remain dedicated to serving patients.
According to UMA, interns bear approximately 60 percent of the workload in healthcare facilities due to the scarcity of government-employed doctors. Their absence severely affects service delivery in public hospitals, leading to long waiting hours and limited attention. Specialist doctors and doctors in training to become specialists have also gone on strike due to low pay and salary arrears, respectively.
Despite the arrests that took place yesterday, pre-medical interns have vowed to continue their strikes until their demands are addressed. Prior to the arrests, one intern expressed her dissatisfaction with the decisions while being recorded on a police truck, stating that as medical graduates, they have been suffering without deployment. She mentioned that they have resorted to calling upon journalists to address their issues to the public.
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