How to Hire and Pay Nurses in Uganda (2026 Clinic & Hospital Guide)
Hiring nurses is different from hiring casual staff: nurses are regulated professionals, and getting registration, licensing and pay right is essential for any clinic, hospital or health programme. This guide covers how to hire qualified nurses and pay them compliantly. For general workers, see our main guide on hiring and paying workers in Uganda.
Where to find qualified nurses
Source nurses through the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council register, nursing schools, medical recruitment agencies and professional referrals. For specialised roles (theatre, ICU, midwifery), referrals and targeted agencies work best.
Verify before you hire
- Registration and a current practising licence with the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council
- Qualifications (certificate, diploma or degree) confirmed
- Clinical experience for the role and references
- For specialised units, relevant specialty training
Run clinic payroll properly, with full compliance
Healthcare employers are held to a high compliance bar. Basket Payroll handles nurse salaries, night-duty allowances, PAYE, NSSF and payslips, with a clean record for every payment.
See Basket Payroll →Salaries and shift pay
Nurse pay rises with qualification, specialisation and facility; public scales are set by government, private facilities vary. Because nursing involves shifts and nights, agree basic salary, allowances and night-duty pay clearly in writing.
Paying nurses compliantly
Nurses are formal employees: PAYE on salary above the threshold and NSSF both apply. Use a payroll system that handles deductions, payslips and statutory filings cleanly, which matters especially for regulated healthcare employers who may be audited.
Pay your nurses the right way with Basket Payroll
Basket Payroll pays nurses by mobile money, handles PAYE and NSSF automatically, records every payment, and stops ghost-worker fraud. Hire freely, pay correctly, stay compliant.
See Basket Payroll →Frequently Asked Questions
Hire nurses through the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council register, nursing schools, medical recruitment agencies and professional referrals. Verify the nurse is registered and licensed with the Council, confirm qualifications, check references and clinical experience, and ensure their practising licence is current.
Nurse salaries vary by qualification and facility: enrolled and registered nurses in private facilities commonly earn monthly salaries that rise with specialisation and experience, with public-sector scales set by government. Agree salary, allowances, shift patterns and night-duty pay in writing.
Yes. Nurses are formal employees: PAYE applies on salary above the URA threshold, and NSSF (5% employee, 10% employer) applies. A proper payroll system handles deductions, payslips and statutory filings, which matters for regulated healthcare employers.