Health minister designate Chris Baryomunsi has defended government’s decision to scrap allowances for medical interns, saying the growing number of graduates has made the arrangement financially unsustainable.
Baryomunsi said this after appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 1, 2026. He told the media at Parliament that internship remains a training period rather than formal employment, despite previous government support in form of
allowances.
“The issue is that there are now many training institutions producing doctors. So the question is: whom do you pay?” he wondered, adding; “Internship is not employment per se; it is a continuation of training. It is just a period when you are strengthening your clinical skills, the way lawyers go to Law Development Centre so that they can become very competent in working as lawyers.”
According to Baryomunsi, cabinet agreed to treat internship as part of professional training, similar to legal apprenticeships, while maintaining that the policy would be reviewed as implementation progresses.
On health sector priorities, Baryomunsi said the focus will be on preventive healthcare, recruitment of health workers, and strengthening service delivery. “We have to focus on prevention and health promotion, but improve curative and rehabilitative services,” he stressed.
He pledged to address staffing gaps in lower health facilities, expand infrastructure, and improve drug supply systems to reduce leakages and theft. “We intend to recruit health workers down to Health Centre III level.? he said.
Regarding the ongoing Ebola containment efforts, the minister called for public vigilance and compliance with the health ministry guidelines. “Ebola is dangerous, but manageable if all of us comply with the measures.” he said, adding that Uganda is working with neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, to contain cross-border transmission.
Baryomunsi said he is ready to take on the role once approved by Parliament. “There is a lot of work to do. and I am ready to start,” he said.
