Medical Interns Fall into Things as Museveni Triples Their Pay

President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni has okayed the increment of medical interns’ monthly allowances from Shs750,000 to Shs2.5m.

The decision follows a series of strikes by medical interns over the years.

The recent strike happened in May 2021, with the medical interns demanding Shs5m per month, and accomodation.

They later called off the strike after their leaders met the Uganda Medical Association, Ministry of Health (MoH) officials and President Museveni.

Now Museveni has ordered that the interns be paid half of what they demanded.

“It was noted that medical interns earn a net pay of Shs 750,000 which is not enough to meet basic needs,” directed Museveni.

“It is against this background, that I direct that all medical interns be paid half of the recommended pay of the fully appointed officers in the respective professions starting July 2021. For intern doctors, this should be Shs 2,500,000 i.e. half of the Shs 5,000,000 a medical officer is to earn.”

Museveni’s letter is copied to prime minister Robinah Nabbanja, finance minister Matia Kasaija, public service minister Muruli Mukasa and health minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng.

The amount is half of what junior medical officers earn.

The other health workers who will see their allowances increased from Shs 750,000 to Shs2.5m are graduate nurses, midwives and pharmacists.