KMPDU condemns assault, arrest of Ugandan medical interns

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) has condemned the arrest, alleged harassment and assault of medical interns in Uganda, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement dated August 16, KMPDU Secretary General Dr. Davji Atellah said the union stood in solidarity with Ugandan medical interns who have been demanding better working conditions, timely deployment and payment of their stipends.

Dr. Atellah said healthcare workers should not be subjected to arrest and intimidation for raising legitimate concerns about their welfare.

“Peacefully demanding fair treatment, timely deployment and dignified working conditions is a legitimate labour concern, not a crime,” said the KMPDU boss.

The union called on Ugandan authorities to immediately release all interns and healthcare workers detained for participating in peaceful demonstrations.

KMPDU further demanded an end to what it described as intimidation, violence and arbitrary arrests by security agencies against healthcare workers exercising their fundamental rights.

The union also urged the Ugandan government, the Ministry of Health and medical interns to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve what it termed the longstanding internship crisis.

“Medical interns are an essential part of healthcare delivery across East Africa,” Dr. Atellah said, noting that young doctors in the region continue to face delayed deployment, unpaid stipends, difficult working conditions and overwhelming clinical workloads.

The statement comes amid a dispute in Uganda over the welfare and deployment of medical interns.

Eight Ugandan medical interns were arrested on August 12 after taking part in a demonstration along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala, where they were reportedly demanding payment of their allowances.

They were subsequently charged with causing a common nuisance and remanded to Luzira Prison, with their bail hearing adjourned to August 17.

The arrests have taken place against the backdrop of changes to Uganda's internship arrangements, including concerns over the withdrawal of monthly allowances for some interns under the country's new National Education and Training for Health policy.

KMPDU said the challenges facing medical interns should be addressed through dialogue rather than punitive measures, warning that poor working conditions ultimately affect healthcare delivery.

The union also called for greater regional solidarity, arguing that the challenges affecting medical interns are not unique to Uganda and require collective advocacy across East Africa.

KMPDU said it stood firmly with the Uganda Medical Association (UMA) and the wider Ugandan medical fraternity in their push for better working conditions and respect for healthcare workers' rights.

“Healthcare workers should not have to choose between serving their patients and defending their basic rights,” Dr. Atellah said.

“There can be no sustainable healthcare system where medical professionals are silenced through fear, force and detention.”