Medical interns under Uganda’s 2026/2027 internship cohort have announced that they will not report to their assigned health facilities until the government addresses their welfare concerns and withdraws the controversial National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy.The decision was reached after a meeting held on July 31, 2026, between representatives of the medical interns and officials from the Ministry of Health led by Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi. During the meeting, both sides discussed the disputed NETH policy, internship welfare, and the payment of allowances. However, despite what the interns described as constructive engagement, the discussions ended without any agreement.In a notice dated August 2, 2026, addressed to executive directors, medical directors, and hospital directors at internship training centres, the Interim Committee President, Dr Ssegonga Silver, explained that the talks failed because the Ministry did not commit to pushing for the withdrawal of the NETH policy and replacing it with a new framework developed through wider consultations with all stakeholders.
The committee also faulted the Ministry for failing to provide written assurances that all interns—regardless of whether they were government-sponsored or privately sponsored—would receive equal welfare support and allowances. The interns further expressed disappointment that the Ministry declined to postpone reporting and induction dates until Cabinet resolves the outstanding concerns.The National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy has attracted strong criticism from medical professional bodies, which argue that it overlooks key welfare needs for interns and introduces disputed internship deployment arrangements.Following the failed negotiations, medical interns across the country unanimously agreed not to report to their duty stations until three major demands are met. These include the immediate withdrawal of the NETH policy, government funding for interns’ stipends together with the reinstatement of the 2021 presidential directive on interns’ welfare, and a guarantee that internship allowances will be paid monthly and on time.The interns also warned hospital administrators to be cautious of individuals who might report for duty despite the collective resolution, arguing that inadequate facilitation could create situations where some interns may be tempted to seek money from patients to meet their basic needs.
The industrial action has already affected Mulago National Referral Hospital, where interns assigned to the facility formally informed hospital management that they would not begin work.In a letter dated August 3, 2026, the Mulago interns’ site leader, Dr Kagahe Jamadah, said the group remains committed to serving patients but cannot report for duty because of the nationwide resolution by medical interns. He emphasized that while the interns remain dedicated to their professional responsibilities, resolving their welfare concerns is necessary to enable them to provide safe and effective healthcare services.
