Over 1,400 doctors apply for just 16 gov’t jobs

More than 1,400 doctors applied for just 16 job vacancies recently advertised by the Health Service Commission, highlighting the growing concern over doctor unemployment in Uganda.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, as shortlisted candidates sat for their aptitude tests at Makerere University, Dr Henry Mwebesa, the Commission’s chairperson, revealed they had received 1,413 applications for the few available positions at the ministry of Health and Kayunga hospital.

However, only about half of the applicants were shortlisted. According to Mwebesa, nearly 700 applicants were disqualified for failing to attach mandatory documents, including annual practising licenses, national IDs, and academic transcripts. Mwebesa also warned of growing fraud targeting job applicants.

He said the Commission had received reports from candidates who were conned by scammers offering “access” to interview questions in exchange for money. In response, he said, the Commission only finalized the aptitude test questions at midnight before the exam to prevent leaks.

He clarified that the aptitude test, administered at Makerere University, does not assess medical knowledge, but instead evaluates general knowledge. This, he explained, is a filtering mechanism to manage the overwhelming number of applicants before proceeding to technical interviews.

In total, the Health Service Commission received 9,976 applications across various categories, including senior consultants and laboratory technicians. For positions with low application volumes, candidates will skip aptitude testing and proceed directly to interviews, which are scheduled to begin next week.

Previously, job applications were submitted physically at the Commission’s offices. However, the adoption of an online application system has shortened the application period to 21 days, reduced physical congestion, and curtailed opportunities for fraud.

This recruitment exercise comes amid a deepening crisis of unemployed health professionals, despite ongoing staff shortages in many of Uganda’s public hospitals. Uganda’s doctor-to-patient ratio remains at 1:25,000, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1:1,000.

Still, Mwebesa urged the public to remain hopeful, saying more hospitals are expected to begin recruiting staff in the new financial year.