KAMPALA, UGANDA – The Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Uganda, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has issued a firm order mandating that all female soldiers in the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) must henceforth wear skirts, not trousers, while on parade.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The announcement, delivered with the General’s characteristic blunt style, draws a stark gender line in military attire, framing it as a matter of tradition and natural distinction.
General Muhoozi communicated the order directly through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, issuing an unequivocal statement on the platform he frequently uses to make announcements and engage with the public.
“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’s post read in part.
The directive has sparked a sharply divided public reaction, with supporters hailing it as a return to African cultural norms and a celebration of femininity, reflecting a broader debate on gender roles in Uganda.
The move is seen as part of an effort by General Muhoozi, the outspoken son of President Yoweri Museveni, to stamp his authority on the military since his appointment as CDF earlier this year.
Despite the lack of an official administrative circular from the UPDF to formalize the verbal directive, it is expected to be implemented immediately.
The order immediately poses a logistical challenge,as the army has yet to clarify how it will source, fund, and distribute the new skirts to all female soldiers across its ranks.
About the Author
