HOSPITAL CHAOS LOOMS! Medical Interns Threaten Showdown Over Secret Allowances Cut by Health Ministry
Uganda’s health sector has been thrown into fresh turmoil after the Federation for Uganda Medical Interns (FUMI) unleashed a blistering attack on the Ministry of Health, accusing it of ambushing the 2025/26 internship cohort with sudden allowance restrictions that were never discussed, never agreed upon and — according to the interns — possibly illegal.
In a fiery letter dated 17 November 2025, FUMI blasted the Ministry for “breaching contracts” after it issued an October circular declaring that some interns would not receive their allowance payments under new rules tied to Public Service Standing Orders.
The circular, referenced ADM.010/095/01, shook the medical fraternity when it revealed that entire categories of interns — including refugee interns, interns already on government payroll, and Senior House Officers on scholarships — had been declared “ineligible” for allowances effective this financial year.
But FUMI fired back with uncompromising fury.
The federation accused the Ministry of misinterpreting the law, pointing out that internship pay is an allowance, not a salary — meaning interns are legally entitled to it regardless of their payroll status.
In a stinging paragraph that has set social media ablaze, FUMI wrote:
“Any alteration or delayed communication regarding their terms of engagement constitutes a breach of contract that may warrant legal redress.”
The federation also condemned the exclusion of refugee interns, arguing that Uganda’s health system has long relied on global support, and it would be hypocritical to deny facilitation to foreign trainees who are actively saving Ugandan lives.
FUMI warned that interns often clock 36–48 hours of nonstop hospital duty, making allowances critical for survival — not a luxury.
Adding to the drama, the federation revealed that they had formally engaged the Ministry multiple times, but “no positive response has been forthcoming,” prompting fears of a full-blown standoff.
The interns have now demanded a written response by and called for an urgent meeting — with hints that the next step could be legal action if the Ministry remains silent.
As of today, the Ministry of Health has not responded publicly, leaving the country wondering whether a fresh crisis is brewing in hospitals already stretched thin.
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