FDC Condemns Medical Interns’ August 14 Ultimatum

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has condemned the Ministry of Health’s directive requiring medical interns to report to their designated hospitals by August 14 or risk losing their internship placements.

FDC Vice Chairperson Robert Centenary Franco described the ultimatum as reckless, arguing that deploying interns without pay or adequate support puts both health workers and patients at risk.

“Sending an intern to run a ward without pay, without support, and not even with a guarantee that they will be facilitated is not deploying them to save lives. It is putting both patients and interns at risk,” Franco said.

The party said the interns’ continued strike stems from unresolved disagreements with government over the National Education and Training for Health Policy, as well as the welfare of government-sponsored and privately sponsored interns.

“The Federation for Uganda Medical Interns has been clear on why the strike continues: Government has not withdrawn the disputed National Education and Training for Health Policy, and it has refused to guarantee equal welfare and allowances for both government-sponsored and privately sponsored interns, yet they are all going to work for Government,” FDC said.

FDC said medical interns already play a critical role in Uganda’s health system, particularly in government facilities.

“If you walk into any Government hospital today, you will find that it is medical interns who are on the ward, in theatre, and in the maternity unit at 2 a.m.,” the party said.

The opposition party also questioned the government’s spending priorities, arguing that the annual cost of facilitating medical interns is far lower than the amount spent sending selected Ugandans abroad for medical treatment.

“Ministry of Health figures put the full annual cost of facilitating interns at UGX 35.7 billion, yet Uganda spends an estimated USD 150 to 175 million annually sending a select few citizens abroad for medical treatment,” FDC said.

The party further proposed that savings from suspended public holiday functions could be redirected towards supporting the interns.

“We have over UGX 24 billion in savings from suspended public holiday functions and could be redirected to intern facilitation,” FDC said.

FDC is demanding the immediate withdrawal of the August 14 ultimatum, a written commitment guaranteeing equal facilitation and allowances for all medical interns, and a supplementary budget of at least Shs35.7 billion to facilitate the interns.

In a separate communiqué issued on Monday, FDC also criticised Uganda’s planned deployment of UPDF troops to Gaza under the International Stabilization Force (ISF), arguing that the move conflicts with Uganda’s position as chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

“The deployment of the UPDF to Gaza as part of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) under terms linked to U.S. frameworks creates friction with traditional Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) principles,” FDC said.

The party also criticised Parliament’s handling of the deployment, saying the motion was “hurriedly tabled” and “rushed through plenary” without sufficient debate, committee scrutiny or a risk and cost-benefit assessment.

“The motion was hurriedly passed without adequate parliamentary debate,” FDC said.

FDC called on government to withdraw from the Gaza mission and remain committed to NAM principles.

“The FDC position is unequivocal: Uganda cannot be both a NAM member and Chair, committed to the principles and doctrines of NAM [and] a military ally of the United States in Gaza and other Middle East conflicts,” the party said.