Medical interns key to health sector, says UPC

ParrotsugJune 10, 2026Read original

Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) president Jimmy Akena has urged the government to prioritize medical interns, saying they play a critical role in the country’s health system.

Akena said medical interns are not observers but frontline health workers who provide essential services in hospitals and health facilities across the country.

“Medical interns are not observers in Uganda’s health system. They are frontline health workers who provide essential services in hospitals and health facilities throughout the country,” Akena said.

He made the remarks during a press briefing at the party headquarters at Uganda House in Kampala on Wednesday.

Akena’s remarks come after the government proposed suspension of the allowances paid to medical students undertaking internships in government health facilities starting from August, 2026. This is on top of the mandatory pre- graduation one year internship.

The proposal has been widely protested by both lawmakers and medical practitioners including students across the country. The UPC leader described the move as unfair, saying the welfare of medical interns should be considered as part of government’s responsibility to strengthen the health sector.

“The question of intern doctors is not just a question of allowance. It touches on the priorities government sets for itself and its purpose,” he said.

Akena said the government should engage relevant stakeholders and find a sustainable solution to the challenges affecting medical interns.

He added that public servants, including medical workers, teachers, police officers and prison officers, deserve better working conditions and support because of the services they provide to the country.

The UPC president also highlighted the party’s proposed affordable housing programme for public servants, saying it would help workers access decent housing and improve their livelihoods.

“As UPC, we feel these are important workers because they do an important job for the government system. They need to be catered for. They need to be housed and be in an environment where they can raise their families in a decent way,” he said.

Akena said his party would continue challenging the government on policy priorities and pushing for decisions that put citizens’ welfare at the centre.

“UPC is going to continue to challenge the NRM on the question of policy priorities, looking at where the people fall as far as this equation is concerned,” he said.