Kampala – The Ministry of Health is facing a funding shortfall of Shs18 billion to deploy medical interns.
Minister of State for health (General duties) Anifa Kawooya revealed this in a statement to parliament on Tuesday.
This development comes after the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) demanded the immediate deployment of medical interns. At a press conference on Monday, UMA officials expressed concern over government’s failure to deploy the medical interns who qualified in 2023 and 2024 despite available internship placements.
Only 1,500 of the 2,706 eligible interns have been placed due to limited funds.
Kawooya emphasized the importance of adequate supervision, citing the ministry’s guideline of one specialist per four interns, saying “According to the ministry’s internship training guideline, one specialist supervises four medical interns to ensure effective knowledge transfer and skills development.”
Legislators disputed the minister’s plan to only deploy government-sponsored students, arguing that private-sponsored students should also be included.
MP Goreth Namugga (Mawogola County South) urged the government to find the necessary funds, saying “In the interest of continuity, let us find the Shs18 billion. Let us look into the classified budget. Even if it means getting the money from State House.”
MP Dr. Charles Ayume (Koboko municipality) echoed Namugga’s sentiments, stressing the need for urgent action, saying “We find money and pay the interns and we reset the clock to zero.”
MP Nicholas Kamara (Kabale Municipality) highlighted the need for regulation, questioning how universities can recommend 100 students but graduate 300, asking “Some universities recommend 100 students but graduate 300 students. How is that possible?”
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa proposed allowing private students to be deployed without pay if they can cover the costs.
Minister Kawooya pledged to explore funding options, recruit more supervisors, and open additional training centers, while also collaborating with the Ministries of Finance and Education for a lasting solution.