Uganda: Uganda Has One Licensed Doctor for Every 6,400 People, Figures Show
[Nile Post] Uganda has 7,871 doctors with active licences for the 2026 practice year, translating to roughly one licensed doctor for every 6,400 people, according to new figures from the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC).
Uganda's medical workforce faces significant challenges as the country's population is expected to exceed 50 million by the end of 2026. According to data from the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC), there are 7,871 licensed doctors available for the 2026 practice year, which translates to approximately one doctor for every 6,400 people.
However, out of the 10,951 doctors registered with the council, only 3,080 do not have active licenses for 2026. The discrepancy between registered and licensed doctors highlights the complexity of the situation, as many factors contribute to the availability of healthcare professionals. While some doctors work in government hospitals, others are employed in private facilities, specialized institutions, academia, research, and other sectors.
The uneven distribution of doctors across the country further exacerbates the issue, as access to medical care can vary greatly depending on a patient's location.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
