Occupational Therapist

• PositionOccupational Therapist
• CompanyHealth Service Commission
• LocationButabika, Kampala, Uganda
• CategoryHealth, Government Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryPublic health services
• DeadlineNot later than Monday, 16 November 2026
• Not in the advertJob type, department, pay and benefits

The Health Service Commission is responsible for human resources for health in the Government of Uganda. Its work includes advising the President on health-worker matters and recruiting staff for Regional Referral Hospitals and other government health institutions.

The Commission also oversees recruitment by District and City Service Commissions and handles appointment, confirmation and promotion matters for health workers. It reviews service terms, training and qualifications, promotes professional ethics and exercises disciplinary control.

The Commission states that its services are free of charge and that applicants are given equal opportunity. Its headquarters are at Workers House in Kampala.

The Occupational Therapist supports rehabilitation services at Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital. The listed duties include facilitating occupation activities for persons with disabilities, counselling, outreach work and training Occupational Therapy Helpers in rehabilitative skills. The post also has responsibilities for requesting supplies, keeping equipment secure and functional, participating in research, observing professional ethics, managing allocated resources and preparing periodic reports.

The role combines direct support to service users with practical oversight of therapy equipment, helper supervision and institutional reporting. It therefore calls for applicants who can communicate and counsel effectively, work well with others and contribute to a team, as specified among the post’s key competencies. Candidates should verify the full HSC record and application instructions before submitting their documents.

In plain terms, this job splits into 4 areas of work. Each list below restates the employer’s duties in shorter words; the advert linked under How To Apply is the final word.

Rehabilitation and outreach

The therapist supports people with disabilities through occupation-focused activity, individual counselling and services beyond the hospital setting.

• Guide people with disabilities through practical occupation-based activities.
• Provide counselling to service users with disabilities.
• Take part in outreach work outside the hospital.

Supplies and equipment

This area covers arranging needed therapy supplies, keeping equipment safe and usable, and building helpers’ rehabilitation capability.

• Request therapy equipment and other necessary supplies.
• Keep equipment in working order and protect it from loss or damage.
• Coach and oversee Occupational Therapy Helpers in rehabilitation practice.

Research and professional ethics

The post contributes to research and maintains conduct consistent with the profession’s ethical and behavioural standards.

• Contribute to research work.
• Observe the profession’s Codes of Conduct and Ethics.

Resources and reporting

The therapist takes responsibility for assigned resources, reports on work at intervals and responds to additional assigned tasks.

• Keep records of resources received and manage their use.
• Prepare routine reports and send them through the required channels.
• Carry out further tasks assigned from time to time.

Required Education

• Diploma in Occupational Therapy.

Work Experience

• Not stated in the advert.

Additional Requirements

• The HSC advert allows an applicant to apply for no more than two posts.
• Upload documents relevant to the selected post; each attachment must not exceed 1 MB.

Technical Skills

• Therapy equipment stewardship: Keep equipment functional and secure, and account for resources allocated to the post.
• Rehabilitation support: Facilitate occupation activities and train Occupational Therapy Helpers in rehabilitation skills.

Soft Skills

• Communication: Good communication skills are listed as a key competency.
• Counselling: Counselling skills are listed as a key competency.
• Interpersonal skills: Interpersonal skills are listed as a key competency.
• Team building: Team-building skills are listed as a key competency.

No pay figure is given for this Occupational Therapist post, so raise it only after an offer. To judge an offer, check a gross figure with the Uganda take-home pay calculator (PAYE and NSSF) and compare it with our guide to government salary scales.

• Work in occupational therapy at Butabika National Mental Referral Hospital.
• Support occupation-based activities for persons with disabilities.
• Take part in outreach services.
• Train and supervise Occupational Therapy Helpers.
• Participate in research activities.
• Combine service-user support with equipment and resource accountability.

Register or sign in to the Health Service Commission e-Recruitment System, search for Occupational Therapist, select the Butabika post and submit the relevant supporting documents. Applicants may apply for no more than two posts, and each attachment must be under 1 MB. Applications must reach the Commission not later than Monday, 16 November 2026.

• Checked on 13 November 2026 against Health Service Commission's official advert.
• Closing date confirmed as 16 November 2026. NextRoleHub closes the listing at 23:59 Kampala time that day.
• The application link goes to the employer's own page or email. Applying is free; report anyone who asks for money.
• Before you apply, read our guide: Government salary scales in Uganda. Work out your pay with the take-home pay calculator.