Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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President Yoweri Museveni has directed a review of the policy requiring medical students to complete a one-year internship before graduating, saying academic graduation and housemanship are separate processes that should not be mixed.
In a statement shared on social media on Saturday, October 10, following a Friday meeting with Uganda Medical Association (UMA) representatives led by President Dr Frank Asiimwe at State House Entebbe, Museveni said the policy should be corrected to avoid unnecessary delays.
The policy, introduced under the National Education and Training for Health Policy (NETHP), requires medical students to complete a mandatory one-year supervised internship before receiving their degrees, a move that has attracted criticism from students and medical professionals.
Dr Asiimwe had earlier criticised the policy, arguing that it was adopted without adequate consultation and could undermine the legal framework governing university academic programmes. However, Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Diana Atwine maintained that sufficient consultations had been conducted before its adoption.
Museveni’s directive has been welcomed by the medical fraternity, with Dr Asiimwe saying their concerns had been heard and addressed.
On interns’ allowances, Museveni said further consultations would be held, with government decisions guided by affordability and sustainability. He also backed proposals for tax relief for health workers and improved access to essential medical supplies.
