Medical interns under their Umbrella the Uganda medical Interns federation have been arrested during a peaceful match to the Ugandan parliament to handover a petition to Rebecca Kadaga the speaker requesting for favorable working conditions and training policy
The interns whom started their march from the school of public health in Mulago met police officers in Wandegeya next to the ministry of public service which led to running battles
The police using teargas and sticks dispersed the group arresting four of the leaders that included Dr. Mirembe Joel outgoing president of the medical Interns federation, Dr. Otim Joseph Gutagwa, Dr. Kiggundu Roland and Faith Kyakunzire
The interns are demanding for a better rotation policy, a tax free allowance, salary increment, accommodation among others
Dr Okidi Romeo the vice president of the medical interns said as interns they have tried to do everything including securing a court order but the ministry is not respecting it
“we are being harassed we have made it clear that we shall not work under the 5:1 policy which turns us into quack doctors we think petitioning the speaker is the best to do and we want the ministry to reinstate the 3:3 not 5:1 policy by the ministry” Said Dr Okidi
Dr Sekyanzi Henry said as interns they will not step in hospitals before there issues are looked into and rectified by the ministry as they’re not ready to act as quacks
However the Ministry of health Permanent secretary Dr Diana Atwiine said the interns cannot dictate on how they will be taught and the ministry does not have enough infrastructures to house all of them
“These people will not dictate what they will be taught and how, we are changing to the old style of one discipline in 6 months from the one in three months this made them unbaked doctors”
She added “the ministry does not have enough infrastructures to host over 1000 interns across the country and the money we give them is what the ministry can afford, we can’t treat them as enrolled public servants”
