Uganda Health Worker Shortages Deepen As Migration Accelerates

Tuesday 6th January 2026

By inAfrika Newsroom

Uganda health worker shortages are worsening as more doctors and nurses seek jobs abroad, adding stress to clinics that already face high patient loads, a new analysis published in Kampala said on Monday. The report points to pay gaps, workload pressure, and weak working conditions as key drivers.

The Independent reported that health facilities, especially outside major towns, are struggling to keep staff. Meanwhile, private recruiters and overseas systems continue to pull skilled workers. As a result, some units rely on fewer staff per shift, which can slow care and increase burnout.

Uganda is not alone. Across East Africa, health labour markets have become more global. However, the impact lands locally first. When midwives leave, maternity wards feel it. Likewise, when lab staff exit, test backlogs grow. Therefore, the shortage becomes a service-delivery issue, not just an HR issue.

The report also raised questions about training pipelines and retention tools. For example, governments can bond some graduates, but that can trigger legal and ethical debates. Instead, many experts push for better pay, housing support, and safer workplaces. Meanwhile, unions argue that morale improves when promotions follow clear rules.

For patients, the stakes are simple. Longer waits can mean late diagnoses. Also, thinner staffing can raise referral costs. Consequently, household health spending can rise even when services are meant to be public.

Next steps — Uganda health worker shortages

The health ministry is expected to face renewed pressure to publish retention measures, including pay reviews and rural posting support. In addition, stakeholders may push a staffing audit to quantify Uganda health worker shortages by district.

Why it matters

Health systems run on people, not buildings alone. Therefore, Uganda health worker shortages can weaken prevention, raise avoidable deaths, and slow economic productivity.