Medical interns due to begin their 2026/2027 internship have announced that they will not report to their assigned hospitals until the government resolves their welfare concerns and withdraws the controversial National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy.
The decision was reached after a meeting held on 31 July 2026 between representatives of the interns and officials from the Ministry of Health, led by Health Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi. The discussions focused on the disputed NETH policy, interns’ welfare and the facilitation they are entitled to during their training.
Although both sides held talks, they failed to reach an agreement.
In a notice dated 2 August 2026 and addressed to executive directors, medical directors and hospital directors of internship training centres, the president of the Medical Interns’ Interim Committee, Dr Ssegonga Silver, explained that the discussions collapsed because the Ministry did not commit to withdrawing the NETH policy and replacing it with a new one developed through broad consultations with all stakeholders.
The interns also faulted the Ministry for failing to provide a written commitment guaranteeing equal welfare and allowances for both government-sponsored and privately sponsored interns. They further criticised officials for refusing to postpone the reporting and induction dates until Cabinet resolves the outstanding concerns.
The National Education and Training for Health (NETH) policy has attracted widespread opposition from medical professional bodies, which argue that it does not adequately protect the welfare of interns and other early-career health professionals. Critics also object to several provisions governing internship deployment and facilitation.
Following the failed negotiations, the interns unanimously resolved not to report to any internship training facility until their demands are met.
They want the government to immediately withdraw the NETH policy, commit to funding interns’ stipends while reinstating the 2021 presidential directive on interns’ welfare, and guarantee that all interns will receive their monthly allowances on time.
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