Shs 50.18 Billion for the Speaker & Deputy Speaker allowances vs Shs 21.6 Billion for 1,000 Intern Doctors: A Question of betrayal of National Priorities
The debate about funding Uganda's intern doctors is often framed as a question of affordability. Yet a look at the 2026/27 budget allocations tells a different story.
According to published parliamentary budget figures, the Office of the Speaker is allocated approximately Shs 28.5 billion, while the Office of the Deputy Speaker is allocated about Shs 21.68 billion in allowances. Together, these two offices alone account for Shs 50.18 billion in allowances for the office of the speaker ( 2 individuals vs 1,000 intern doctors )
For comparison, paying 1,000 intern doctors a net allowance of Shs 1.8 million per month for an entire year would cost approximately Shs 21.6 billion.
In other words, the annual allowance budget for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker's offices combined is more than double what is required to remunerate 1,000 intern doctors who provide frontline medical services in hospitals across the country.
The issue, therefore, is not whether Uganda lacks the resources. The issue is one of priorities. The same 2 officers have elephant like fat salaries and retirement benefits attached to their offices monthly
When young qualified licensed doctors who work long hours in emergency units, maternity wards, operating theatres, and outpatient clinics are told there is no money to support them, yet billions are readily available for administrative and political offices luxury & nagutory expenditures, Ugandans are justified in asking difficult questions.
A nation's budget is a reflection of its priorities and valu8. If healthcare is truly a priority, then the welfare, dignity, and remuneration of intern doctors should be treated as a national investment rather than an avoidable expense.
The question is simple: if Shs 50.18 billion can be allocated to just two political offices as allowances, why is Shs 21.6 billion for 1,000 frontline intern doctors considered unaffordable?
Dr Mirembe Joel
SG emeritus
With all that struggle to finish my degree is a privately sponsered student, if the policy of “no pay during internship” had existed back then, I honestly doubt I would have managed a proper internship.
Imagine being posted to Mulago a place I had never been, with no relatives nearby. High cost of living in Kampala, rotating between Mulago and Kawempe, juggling long duties, covering the human resource gap in our hospitals. Ah
If campus survival was tough, finishing school and having parents finally look up to me for help, only for the system to say “fend for yourself in a strange place with no pay” that would break me. And honestly speaking, I would have never completed internship. 📌
Makerere University Pharmacy Students Association (MUPSA) says NO to the National Education and Training for Health Policy 2025. No to forced extra years without consent. No to scrapped intern allowances.
@MinofHealthUG@CHRISBARYOMUNS1@PharmacistsUg@UpsaUganda@RubabindaJr
❝Pursuing a medical course is not an easy journey. It is demanding, time-consuming, and often physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. The decision to scrap medical interns' allowances is deeply discouraging and risks contributing to brain drain, low morale, and increased dropout rates among aspiring healthcare professionals. While our commitment remains to serve and provide the best possible care to Ugandans, many of us are now questioning whether the sacrifices made over six years of rigorous training are truly valued. We chose a noble profession because we are passionate about saving lives and serving others, but that should not mean our welfare is overlooked. Dedication to service and fair compensation should go hand in hand. Supporting medical interns is an investment in the country's health system, and with that support, we can continue giving our very best to the people we serve.❞ ~ Claire Francis Naddamba | Medical Student
#SaveLives
#PayAllMedicalInterns
This is an encouraging step, but the conversation must now move from recognition to action.
Medical interns carry a heavy workload, work long hours, and play a vital role in patient care. Their remuneration should reflect the responsibilities they shoulder. We continue to advocate for fair compensation, including the implementation of a stipend equivalent to 75% of a Medical Officer's salary in public service.
@MinofHealthUG and Hon. @CHRISBARYOMUNS1, let this matter be resolved once and for all through meaningful engagement and a sustainable solution that respects the contribution of intern doctors.
#PayAllInterns
Me as a medical intern on night duty🤣🤣
Supper will always be a mentality.
The goal to survive and get the degree in peace.
Anti new policy.
#werejectthenewpolicy#payallmedicalinterns
Unless the presidential directive of paying intern doctors the 2.5 million is put into consideration and effected, we shall not show up for internship. We have had instances where our fellows faint on table during surgery, we are not ready for such things. - Precious Gracious Achen from Makerere University.
#PayAllMedicalInterns
So when the government is squeezed from all angles about the policy, it develops a new tactic of divide and rule
Facilitating government students & giving lunch to private students
It's still not going to work, treat all interns equal, they are all exposed to the same environment
Thanks Chris. This is a good starting note. Let the President be informed that the initial decision “not to pay medical interns” was utter, turbulent and furbulent misguidance.
Dear Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi @CHRISBARYOMUNS1,
Thank you for this public submission and your commitment to engage Cabinet to reverse this wrong and anti-people decision.
This is progress and honesty now taking charge.
We appreciate your public acknowledgement of the critical services provided by Intern Doctors and your support for payment of all, no discrimination
Our prayer is that Government completely halts the implementation of the policy and urgently undertakes a robust, inclusive, and timely stakeholder engagement process ( this was totally skipped for unknown reasons) to develop a fair policy that supports intern doctors during this important period of supervised professional practice and transition into independent service.
#PayAllMedicalInterns #SaveLives
Betrayed by their own seniors who happily graduated, went through the same system with a paid internship salary
An intern doctor is an officer on probation who offers frontline health care across govt hospitals and deserves 75% of MOs salary 4M UGX
#PayAllMedicalInterns