The Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) is calling for a budget allocation of sh31 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year to cover allowances for medical interns. FUMI emphasized the need to plan for the next cohort of interns, who are yet to graduate, during the ongoing budgeting process to avoid future challenges.
Addressing the media at Mulago Hospital Guest House, Dr. Bill Adrati, the President of FUMI, expressed concern about the possibility of insufficient funds to pay for allowances for the upcoming cohort, causing financial inconveniences if not planned early. Dr. Adrati urged the government to reinstate the 2021 presidential directive of paying medical interns a sh3 million salary to support their livelihoods.
The call for increased budget allocation follows a presidential directive that initially instructed enhancing the salary for medical interns to sh3 million. However, a subsequent press release from the health ministry directed the interns to be paid sh1 million instead.
In response to the interns’ concerns, Emmanuel Ainebyona, the Ministry of Health spokesperson, stated that the government has limited resources, and interns should appreciate the available funds. He explained that the reduction in allowances for medical interns was a result of consultations with the President and was attributed to budget constraints.
Ainebyona urged interns to focus on completing their internships, emphasizing that engaging in acts of violence is counterproductive and that the available time should be spent on more constructive activities.
