STATE HOUSE, Entebbe – President Yoweri Museveni has pledged Shs 125 billion to the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) SACCO to help health workers access affordable loans for further training, specialisation and business ventures. He also directed the government to correct the medical internship policy, which links graduation from medical school to the completion of internship.
The commitments were made during a meeting with medical interns and UMA leaders at State House Entebbe on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Museveni described the proposed funding as a one time intervention. However, the reports did not confirm when the money would be released or how the fund would be administered.
UMA President Dr. Frank Asiimwe welcomed the pledge, saying the association’s SACCO had grown from Shs 1 billion in government support in 2017 to Shs 13 billion. The proposed Shs 125 billion would expand access to credit for health workers seeking additional qualifications and other income generating opportunities.
On medical training, Museveni said graduating from university and completing internship should be treated as separate processes. He described the decision to make internship a condition for graduation as a mistake and directed the government to correct it.
The policy has raised concerns among medical graduates over possible delays in graduation, training costs and uncertainty about their professional progression. The president’s directive signals a change in policy, although the responsible ministries are yet to clarify the specific changes and when they will take effect.
The meeting also addressed unpaid internship allowances. Asiimwe told the president that about 300 interns had not received their allowances despite reporting for duty in August. He also raised concerns about proposed changes to interns’ financial support.
Health Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi had earlier said Cabinet suspended a controversial proposal to change the facilitation arrangements for government sponsored and privately sponsored interns. The current cohort was expected to continue receiving the existing monthly facilitation, with a net payment of about Shs 1 million after deductions.
UMA also called for better cooperation between public and private health facilities in medical training, recruitment, promotion and quality control. Asiimwe proposed two annual meetings with the president to discuss health sector priorities, as well as new professional ranks for doctors, including chief consultant, principal consultant and senior consultant.
Other proposals included raising staffing levels in referral hospitals to 75% by the next general election, establishing a retirement package for health workers and creating regional medical training hubs with 50 to 100 beds for practical training and mentorship.
Baryomunsi said the number of Ugandan universities training doctors had increased from one to 13. However, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr. Diana Atwiine said the ministry had to operate within its approved budget and was preparing a paper for Cabinet consideration on outstanding issues affecting interns.
Museveni also expressed support for proposals to grant tax relief to health workers and remove duties on essential items used in health service delivery. Details of the proposed exemptions were not provided.
The commitments could improve access to financing and address some concerns surrounding medical training. Their impact will depend on the release of the pledged funds, clear implementation guidelines and action by the relevant government ministries.
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