The UPDF has warned that civilians and private security companies dressing in military attire risk legal action.
Capt Ahmad Hassan Kato, the spokesperson of fourth infantry division headquartered in Gulu, said there is a growing number of civilians and private security companies in Acholi and West Nile sub region who dressing in military outfits bearing UPDF imprint.
He said many of these military attires include warm suits, jackets, ranger boots, berets, capes, porches, weapon sling belts and back packs among others but said it is illegal.
“The UPDF Act, of 2005 Section 160 part 2 prohibits non-members of the security forces from using such costumes mentioned above. The Uganda Gazette under General notice No 1013 of 2019, dated September, 18, 2019 also issued a notice describing and prohibiting members of the public from wearing military materials and decorations or so nearly resembling them,” Capt Kato said.
“We wish to warn these individuals in their various capacities to stop putting on these items listed above as soon as possible and to hand them over to the Uganda Police Force and the UPDF for further management.”
The UPDF fourth infantry division spokesperson warned that failure to comply will lead to action as the army ensures it maintains law and order in the community.
Section 160 of the UPDF Act 2005 stipulates that the minister shall, by notice published in the gazette, declare and make known what mark or marks, when applied to any arms, clothing, equipment, vehicle, aircraft, or boat shall denote them as a property of the state.
Section 160 (2) (c) adds that if any person unlawfully receives, possesses, sells or delivers any army clothing, equipment, vehicle, aircraft, or boat bearing any mark referred to in subsection (1) or forbidden by or under this act to be sold, pledge or otherwise disposal of, commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to imprisonment for life.
In the past, a number of people, including opposition National Unity Platform supporters have been arrested and arraigned before the General Court Martial for donning the red beret which is part of the gazette military attires.
