Medical Interns Refuse to Report on Duty Until Gov’t Provides Money for their Welfare
Medical interns in Uganda have initiated a strike, refusing to report for duty until the government addresses welfare concerns and withdraws the contested National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy. Negotiations between the interns' committee and the Ministry of Health have reached an impasse.
Why it matters
The strike threatens to disrupt healthcare services across the country, highlighting systemic tensions between early-career medical professionals and government policy.
Medical interns under the 2026/2027 cohort have resolved not to report for duty at their assigned health facilities until the government addresses their welfare concerns and withdraws a contested training policy.
The resolution follows a meeting on Friday, 31 July 2026, between a representation of the interns and Ministry of Health officials led by Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi, at which the two sides discussed the contested National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy alongside interns' welfare and facilitation.
Despite what the Interns' Interim Committee described as a willingness by the Ministry to engage in dialogue, the talks ended without agreement.
In an official notice dated 2 August 2026 and addressed to executive directors, medical directors and hospital directors at internship training centres, the committee's president, Dr Ssegonga Silver outlined three reasons the parties failed to reach consensus.
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