A Land of Promise
and Perseverance
Uganda’s story is one of progress and persistence. Years of civil unrest have given way to a nation with growing political stability and a rapidly developing economy. The country is home to some of Africa’s most spectacular wildlife and national parks, and its cultural diversity shines through in vibrant music, dance, and tradition. Urban centers like Kampala buzz with new ideas and opportunities, yet much of the population remains in rural areas where daily life depends on the land.
Even with annual economic growth rates that are among the highest in Africa, Uganda faces daunting public health challenges. Twenty-three percent of Ugandans live below the poverty line, and many rural communities lack reliable access to clinics, clean water, or essential medicines. Rapid population growth places new pressure on health systems, infrastructure, and the environment. Persistent diseases, from malaria to HIV/AIDS, continue to strain resources, especially as the country welcomes refugees from across the region.
International Medical Aid (IMA) stands with Ugandan communities to tackle these challenges head-on. Since 2013, we have brought quality healthcare, education, and hope to thousands across the country. Our commitment is built on partnership—working hand-in-hand with local clinicians, community leaders, and families to build a healthier future for all.
Why Uganda
with IMA?
Picture yourself in a busy hospital ward in Kampala, learning alongside skilled Ugandan nurses and doctors as you care for mothers and children. Imagine traveling to a rural village with a mobile clinic, where your skills and compassion can mean the difference between illness and wellness for entire families. IMA’s Uganda internships are about real-world impact and growth, providing the clinical and cultural experiences that stand out on any application or resume.
IMA’s programs are designed for aspiring global health leaders. Our in-country Medical Director and Patient Coordinators guide and support you at every step, helping you thrive in both your professional and personal journey. You’ll live in secure, welcoming accommodations, share meals prepared with local ingredients, and immerse yourself in Uganda’s rich culture through village visits, music, and community celebrations.
With flexible internships from 2 to 12 weeks, starting every Saturday, IMA gives you the chance to customize your experience, earn academic credit, and receive personalized letters of recommendation that open doors to future opportunities.
Key Statistics
Sources:
WHO, WHO (AFRO), UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, washdata.org, Malaria Consortium
Internship Opportunities
Each internship program at IMA Uganda offers specialized, hands-on experiences, aligned with interns’ professional and academic goals:
Every placement includes mentorship, active participation, and opportunities for cultural engagement that help you become a well-rounded, globally minded health professional.
Pre-Med Internships Abroad
Pre-med internships abroad for undergraduates, gap year students and medical students. Shadow physicians on hospital rounds, attend global health lectures and clinical simulations and join community clinics in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships Abroad
Pre-PA and physician assistant internships abroad for pre-PA undergraduates, PA students, recent graduates and licensed PAs. Shadow clinicians in hospitals in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Pre-Dental and Dental Internships Abroad
Dental internships abroad for pre-dental students, dental students and recent dental graduates. Shadow dentists in hospital dental units, attend global health lectures and help teach oral health in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Nursing and Pre-Nursing Internships Abroad
Nursing internships abroad for pre-nursing students, nursing students, recent graduates and licensed nurses. Shadow nurses on hospital wards, attend global health lectures and simulations and join community clinics in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Mental Health and Psychology Internships Abroad
Mental health and psychology internships abroad for undergraduates, graduate students, recent graduates and licensed professionals. Observe psychiatry and mental health teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and support community awareness clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Nutrition Internships Abroad in Kenya
Nutrition internships abroad for nutrition and dietetics students, graduates and licensed nutrition professionals. Observe dietitians and nutritionists at a public hospital in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Physical Therapy and Pre-PT Internships Abroad
Physical therapy internships abroad for pre-PT students, DPT students, recent graduates and licensed physical therapists. Observe physical therapists and rehab teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Midwifery Internships and Placements Abroad
Midwifery internships abroad for pre-midwifery students, midwifery students and licensed midwives. Observe midwives on the maternity service, attend global health lectures and simulations and join community women's health work in Mombasa, Kenya and Cusco, Peru. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
CRNA and Anesthesiologist Assistant Internships Abroad
CRNA and anesthesia internships abroad for pre-CRNA and pre-anesthesiologist assistant students, nursing students, nurses and licensed CRNAs. Shadow anesthesia teams at IMA's teaching hospital placements in Kenya and Peru, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Pre-Optometry and Optometry Internships Abroad
Optometry internships abroad for pre-optometry students, optometry students, recent graduates and licensed optometrists. Shadow eye care teams in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community outreach. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Radiology and Rad Tech Internships Abroad
Radiology internships abroad for pre-rad tech students, radiologic technology students, recent graduates and licensed technologists. Shadow technologists and radiologists in a hospital radiology department in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Occupational Therapy Internships and Placements Abroad
Occupational therapy internships abroad for pre-OT students, OT students, recent graduates and licensed occupational therapists. Observe occupational therapists in Mombasa, Kenya, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Chiropractic Internships Abroad
Chiropractic internships abroad for pre-chiropractic students, chiropractic students and licensed chiropractors. Observe licensed clinicians under supervision, attend global health lectures and join community clinics. Housing, meals, transport, insurance and 24/7 support are included.
Our Impact and Stories of Change
IMA’s work in Uganda is rooted in action and results. Since launching our first mobile clinics in 2013, we have reached some of the most underserved communities in the country. Our clinics provide free malaria testing and treatment, immunizations, and maternal health services, addressing the country’s 284 per 100,000 maternal mortality ratio (2020) and high rates of childhood illness.
Sanitation education initiatives in schools and villages help families adopt healthy habits, fighting preventable disease where only 36% have improved sanitation. Our mental health programs bring counseling and support to those living with trauma, while nutrition programs address malnutrition and food insecurity, especially in rural districts.
Behind every statistic is a story. Take David, a young boy in northern Uganda, who gained strength and hope through IMA’s nutrition program after a severe illness. Or meet Rachel, a 2023 intern, who says, “Uganda gave me purpose. Every day, I learned new skills and witnessed firsthand the power of compassion and teamwork.” These lives—and many more—reflect the true impact of IMA’s presence in Uganda.
Support
Our Mission
A Day in the Life
of an IMA Intern
Your support drives every success in Uganda. Donations provide medical supplies, fund mobile clinics, and train local health workers. As a donor, you help deliver care to children, mothers, and elders, tackling malaria, reducing maternal deaths, and building healthier communities from the ground up. Every gift is tax-deductible and goes directly to sustainable, community-driven health solutions. Join us in this vital mission.
Hear From Our Alumni
Don’t just take our word for it—listen to the experiences of our past healthcare and pre-health interns. Our alumni have pursued successful careers, using the skills and knowledge gained during their internships to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Here are some of our alumni's success stories:
Tyra Dennis
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Kayla McBride
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Grace Munoz
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Ija Mumford
East Africa [Mombasa, Kenya]
Alumni Experiences & Testimonials
Five words. That’s it. The ultimate definition of short and sweet. At the end of each week during debriefing, we were asked to present the group with five words that encompassed our experience in our respective departments. Every Friday, this…
Our Initiatives
IMA's work in Kenya centers on practical, community-driven healthcare solutions. Our mobile medical and hygiene clinics reach remote areas, delivering care directly to those in need. These teams address challenges such as HIV, malaria, and maternal health, responding to a maternal mortality ratio of 530 per 100,000 as of 2020. In both schools and villages, our sanitation education programs promote better health by teaching effective hygiene practices. This work is crucial in a country where only 33.1% of the population has access to adequate sanitation (2023).
Mental health clinics run by IMA provide counseling and promote open conversations, helping to reduce stigma and support those facing psychological challenges. Our nutrition and food security initiatives supply children and families with better nourishment, targeting malnutrition through local partnerships and education.
Every initiative is built in collaboration with Kenyan physicians, tribal leaders, and community advocates. By working together from the ground up, our programs reflect the unique needs of each community and achieve lasting results. As an intern, you will contribute to care delivery, health education, and outreach, becoming part of a team dedicated to improving health and opportunity throughout Kenya.
For Our Donors: Fueling a Healthier Kenya
Every contribution to IMA is a spark that ignites change. Your support funds mobile clinics that reach thousands, providing free HIV testing and malaria treatment. It equips schools with hygiene resources, empowers communities through mental health care, and ensures children grow strong with proper nutrition. Since 2013, donors like you have helped us serve countless lives, addressing Kenya's 3.5% HIV prevalence and 260 per 1,000 malaria incidence (2023).
Your tax-deductible gift—whether $50 or $5,000—creates a ripple effect, building a sustainable healthcare future. Join us in this mission and see your impact in action.
Partner with IMA in Uganda
Lasting progress requires partnership. IMA collaborates with universities, hospitals, NGOs, and local government to design and deliver health programs that truly make a difference. If you represent an academic institution or organization committed to global health, we invite you to work with us. Together, we can reach more communities, share knowledge, and create opportunities for both interns and Ugandan healthcare professionals.
A Day in the Life of an IMA Intern
Morning finds you sharing breakfast with fellow interns, the sun filtering through banana palms outside your residence. By mid-morning, you’re on your way to a mobile clinic, working with local doctors to treat malaria or provide vaccinations. Lunch is spent with Ugandan colleagues, exchanging stories and building friendships. The afternoon might bring a visit to a local school, teaching handwashing and hygiene, or supporting a mental health workshop in the community. As evening arrives, you join in music, dance, or simply reflect on the lives touched that day. Each experience builds your confidence, knowledge, and passion for making a difference.
Medical Internships in Kenya
IMA's Kenya internships offer 13 clinical specialties, each a canvas for your growth. Aspiring doctors can join our Medicine or Pre-Medicine internships, mastering diagnostics in real-world settings. Nurses and pre-nursing students hone patient care skills, while those in Mental Health or Nutrition lead workshops. From Midwifery to Chiropractic, every program is hands-on, guided by expert mentors, and enriched by cultural immersion.
Explore your options, from 2- to 12-week programs, and find the perfect fit:
What You Will Gain
Interns in Uganda walk away with much more than technical skills. You will build cross-cultural communication, resilience, and leadership. Clinical and public health competencies grow through real-world challenges, and you will earn certificates, academic credit, and professional recommendations. Most of all, you will gain a new perspective on global health, rooted in the relationships you build and the lives you impact.
Safety & Support: Your Home in Uganda
IMA takes your safety seriously. Our Medical Director and local staff provide 24/7 support, secure housing, reliable transportation, and comprehensive pre-departure preparation. You will receive guidance on vaccines, travel, and local culture to ensure a smooth and enriching experience. Uganda is a land of welcome, and our team is dedicated to your well-being every step of the way.
