Uganda Has One Licensed Doctor for Every 6,400 People, Figures Show

Uganda faces a significant healthcare challenge with roughly one licensed doctor for every 6,400 citizens, according to new figures from the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC). For the 2026 practice year, the country has 7,871 doctors holding active licenses.

This ratio comes as Uganda's population is expected to surpass 50 million by the end of 2026. The UMDPC data reveals that while 10,951 doctors are registered, only 7,871 possess active licenses. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics projects the population to reach 50,256,600, placing the ratio at approximately 15.7 doctors per 100,000 people.

However, the number of licensed doctors does not directly translate to patient accessibility, especially in public facilities. Doctors practice across various sectors, including public and private hospitals, specialized institutions, academia, and research. Some may also be working abroad. Therefore, the licensed doctor count indicates the potential medical workforce rather than the number of doctors available at the bedside in government hospitals.

The issue is further complicated by the uneven geographical distribution of medical professionals. A doctor in Kampala offers a vastly different level of access compared to a patient in remote areas like Karamoja or West Nile. The effectiveness of the health system also depends on the availability of nurses, midwives, pharmacists, laboratory personnel, essential medicines, and functioning health facilities.

Compounding these challenges is the ongoing dispute between the government and medical interns. While not fully licensed practitioners, interns are crucial to the supervised clinical workforce. The government deployed 2,417 medical interns for the 2026/27 year, but many have not reported to their assigned facilities due to concerns over welfare, allowances, and a new government internship policy. The Ministry of Health insists that deployed interns must report, leading to a standoff that impacts patient care.