Since Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi adopted the Red Beret as an integral part of his outfit, it has become popular among those who associate with the People Power movement he started.
However, the rising demand for the berets has also allegedly brought with it unwanted attention from some security and law enforcement agencies to the extent that the UPDF insignia and all associated military outfits have been declared a reserve of the armed forces, in a move aimed at distinguishing soldiers from civilians.
Subsequently, the dress code for the Uganda People’s Defence Force has been gazetted, implying that all the marks, insignia, decorations and uniforms are the property of the state or classified stores.
According to the notice signed by the Minister of Defence Adolf Mwesige, “anyone found in unlawful possession, selling or dealing in them shall be prosecuted under the UPDF Act 2005.”
This comes barely weeks after Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine launched the red beret campaign as the main symbol for his people power movement.
With the rules, however, members of the people power group, unless granted authority by a competent military authority, are “prohibited to sell, offer or expose for sale, manufacture or use any uniform so nearly resembling the uniform of the UPDF and like to deceive the public.”
The UPDF spokesman Brig Richard Karemire noted in a statement on social media thus “the dress code for the UPDF has been gazetted. the action was endorsed by the top organs of the army which also commended the dress committee for concluding the task assigned to it years back. this development is a milestone in the long history of the UPDF.”
He added: “It manifests the commitment to define identity and outlook of a professional army as well as adhering to the EAC protocols.”
READ MORE: UPDF Uniform Gazetted