The Commander of the Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a directive mandating that all female soldiers in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) must wear skirts, not trousers, while participating in military parades.
The directive, communicated through Gen Muhoozi’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, signals an apparent shift in dress code policy for women in uniform , particularly during ceremonial functions. While the general did not state when this directive takes effect, his language suggested it should be enforced immediately.
“All female comrades in the UPDF shall from now on march in skirts. Trousers are for men, not for women. Anyone who forces our sisters to put on trousers on parade again will have a very bad day,” Gen Muhoozi posted.
The directive appears to be aimed at preserving what he sees as a traditional distinction between male and female military attire, particularly in public, ceremonial appearances. However, it was not accompanied by an official statement from the Ministry of Defence or the UPDF spokesperson, raising questions about if or how the directive will be operationalized and whether it extends to regular duty uniforms.
Gen Muhoozi, who has in recent years grown increasingly vocal on issues of military identity, national pride, and social values, did not offer further explanation or justification for the move. It is unclear whether the directive stems from a broader review of army dress code policies or a personal belief in preserving conventional gender norms within the military ranks.
The use of trousers by female officers, especially during parades and combat training, has for years been standard practice. The change, therefore, awaits a formal, written order from the Defence Council or the UPDF’s top leadership.
As expected, the directive has sparked an immediate debate online. While some social media users expressed support for what they termed a return to femininity and discipline within the forces, others criticized the move as unnecessary and potentially discriminatory.
“Why should female soldiers be restricted to skirts when trousers are more practical, especially in military settings? This feels like a step backwards,” one X user posted in response.
Another comment read, “Let’s not mix culture with military utility. Skirts don’t make a better soldier. Skill and discipline do.”
“I’m just imagining a parade where women are in skirts and men are in trousers, all doing the same military drills. Honestly, women can perform in any attire. It’s not necessarily that trousers are more practical ,especially in military settings where discipline, training, and adaptability matter more than the uniform cut.” another comment
Others making comparisons with female soldiers in countries like China , Rwanda among others:
“Even the most powerful countries with powerful military women put on skirts during the parade eg. China, Russia and many more” one comment read
As of this report, the Ministry of Defence has not issued a formal statement either confirming or clarifying the order. Neither has there been any communication about whether the directive applies strictly to ceremonial events such as national parades or extends to day-to-day operations and field deployments.
Military insiders say implementing such a change would require adjustments to uniform policy, procurement of new attire, and briefings across various army divisions. If not properly handled, the directive could generate logistical challenges and morale issues, particularly among frontline female personnel who rely on trousers for protection and ease of movement in rugged environments.
The directive comes at a time when Gen Muhoozi is asserting a more hands-on leadership style as CDF, since his appointment in March. His tenure has so far been marked by efforts to rebrand the army’s image, improve discipline, and align the force with what he calls “21st-century patriotism rooted in Ugandan values.”
