The Uganda Law Society (ULS) under the Radical New Bar has called for the immediate review and withdrawal of the National Education and Training for Health Policy, warning that it risks undermining Uganda’s health workforce and negatively affecting public service delivery.
During the 17th RNB Live weekly press and public engagement held on Thursday, June 4th, 2026, at ULS House, Plot 5A1 John Babiiha Road, leaders from the health sector criticised the policy for eliminating government allowances for interns and incorporating internship into academic training without sufficient stakeholder engagement.
According to Dan Muramuzi, the Board Secretary of the Association of Graduate Nurses and Midwives of Uganda, the policy proposes that the interns who have been sponsored by government during their training period should be the only interns supported during internship period, thus creating segregation.
Patrick Odongo, the Vice President of the same association, said that the policy excludes various stakeholders for their views.
“This policy in the current state is not well grounded, it has not involved different people to participate and give input,” he said.
Frank Onyango, the President of the Intern Pharmacists Uganda and an intern himself, stated that interns work 36 hours, warning that denying financial support to privately sponsored trainees is going to create a bigger gap.
Dr. Jacob Mwonda, the President of the Federation of Uganda Medical Interns, declared that interns are not students, and that they offer more than 70 percent of Uganda’s health care services.
Dr. Frank Rubabinda Asiimwe, the President of the Uganda Medical Association, described the policy as “draconian, shambolic, and dead on arrival,” insisting that an intern is not a student, and called for it to be treated as “draft zero” to allow for proper stakeholder consultation.
In the subsequent session, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe presented the Society’s position on the Chief Justice’s Administrative Circular No. 1 of 2026 regarding a fully paperless judiciary, supporting the transition while calling for stronger constitutional safeguards to protect fair hearings, open justice, and access for rural communities.
The ULS pledged to work alongside health professionals and formally petition the relevant authorities on the issues raised.
