Ministry of Defence warns public against using military attire

The warning was issued in a statement issued by the Ministry on Friday, September 1, 2023.

"The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has noted with concern the increasing number of civilians in military insignia that are a preserve of the security forces. These include berets, lanyards, and clothing, among others," the statement read in part.

Civilians are prohibited from receiving, selling, possessing, or delivering military attire under Section 160 of the Uganda People’s Defence Act 2005.

The Ministry warned that Ugandans who are not members of the security forces and refuse to abide by the directive will face legal action.

It should be noted that the National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party, has a red beret as part of its official attire.

The directive comes against the backdrop of the NUP party holding a series of rallies in western Uganda, efforts party leaders say are geared towards creating awareness among the people in the region.

The party came under fire during the 2021 presidential election campaign when the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs restricted the use of red berets, something that did not sit well with party leaders.

Other groups of people, such as actors and musicians, among others, regularly wear military attire. These, however, say that the use of military attire is not done illegally, as most seek permission from the authorities before going ahead to use it in artistic expressions.