Archbishop Kaziimba has criticised the government over its decision to scrap monthly upkeep allowances for medical interns, questioning why funds can be found for Members of Parliament’s vehicles but not for health workers in training.
Speaking on Sunday during a service at All Saints’ Cathedral, Kampala, the Archbishop said it was unfair for the government to claim it could not raise Shs28 billion for medical interns’ allowances while allocating Shs158 billion for MPs’ cars.
“You cannot say that you have Shs158 billion to purchase cars for Members of Parliament and then claim that you do not have Shs28 billion to pay medical interns’ allowances, with the excuse that it would crush the economy,” Archbishop Kaziimba said.
He added that medical interns play a critical role in hospitals, often carrying much of the workload in health facilities.
“By the way, doctors are rarely in the hospitals. It is the medical interns who are everywhere doing the donkey work,” he said.
The Archbishop’s remarks come amid growing criticism of the government’s decision under the new National Education and Training for Health Policy. Under the policy, medical students will be required to complete a mandatory one-year internship before being awarded their degrees.
The government has also moved to scrap the monthly upkeep allowances paid to medical interns, a decision that has drawn criticism from different members of society.
Medical interns are currently paid Shs1 million per month, down from the Shs2.4 million monthly allowance that had initially been agreed upon following a 2021 presidential directive.
Archbishop Kaziimba made the remarks during a service to ordain and install seven deacons, one priest, two clergy canons and one lay canon at All Saints’ Cathedral.
The clergy canons installed included Rev Dr Henry Majwala, Canon for Administration and Management, and Rev Emmanuel Kalagala, Canon for Ministerial Formation and Clergy Welfare.
Rev Canon Henry Majwala was also installed as Diocesan Secretary of the Diocese of Kampala, while Rev Canon Emmanuel Kalagala is the Archdeacon of Kisugu Archdeaconry in the Diocese of Kampala.
The Provincial Fathers’ Union President, Mr Samuel Bakutana, was installed as Lay Canon for Men’s Ministry.