Medical Interns Paid After 3-Day Sit-down Strike

By Kyeyune Ali._

On Sunday 6th, November 2022, medical interns held a press conference at Mulago National Referral Hospital declaring a sit-down strike for three working days due to salary disparities and unpaid monthly salarier for over sixty seven (67) days.

Dr Musa Lumumba, the president of the medical interns at Mulago National Referral Hospital, confirmed that on Monday 7th, November 2022, they wrote a letter to the Rt Hon Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda to address issues of the unpaid monthly salary, and shortly after, there was affirmative action and quick response by the Ministry of Health, and on Wednesday 9th, November 2022, all medical interns were paid up.

Dr Lumumba also added that they are still trying to solve the issue amicably such that the ministry (of health) also release their money, as the Ministry of Finance releases all the money as per the presidential directives state.

“Therefore, the ministry (of health) should think extra because without our service, Ugandans may lose their lives. Since we should receive a half of our seniors, let it be as it was directed. This will improve the working conditions amongst the medical workers across the country,” Dr Lumumba said.

In regards to this case some of the medical interns, like Dr Kitentera Blessed who was quoted, said that they always don’t want to come up striking all the time, but with continued failure to work upon their basic needs in their department, they can’t just keep quiet.

“Yes, we suffer. Therefore, I think the government shouldn’t wait for any demonstration by medical workers because we are the heartbeat of the nation,” Dr Kitentera said.