The Public Service Ministry has told its non-uniformed employees to dress “decently”, and has warned female workers not to show their cleavage, put on tight-fitting clothing or dresses/skirts not above the knee.
The institution issued the directive Tuesday urging that “it has observed that public officers have continued to dress in a manner that does not portray a good image of the service and does not fall within the generally accepted standards of the community.”
“Section F-J of the Uganda Public service standing order, 2010 provides for dress code in the Public Service. Specifically, paragraph 4 stipulates that a public officer is required to dress decently and in the generally acceptable standards in the Ugandan community,” the directive, signed by Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretary, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire (Mrs.) said.
The circular states that Officers should avoid wearing sleeveless, transparent blouses and dresses at the work place.
Flat, open shoes are also ruled out, except in cases where one can prove that it is for medical reasons.
Female workers may wear trousers during office hours inform of smart lady suits with jackets long enough to cover the bosom.
The directive further states that accessories should be modest, and women should not have bright hair colour, braids or extensions.
Men are required to wear neat, long-sleeved shirts, jackets and ties, trousers that are not tight, keep their hair short and neat, and also not wear brightly-coloured clothes.
Only black and brown shoes should be allowed to the office premises.
In January 2017, The Uganda public service standing orders were set to be revised again, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire revealed then.
She made the revelations at the ministry during an event where the Uganda Debt Network was handing over a copy of 100 copies of abridged versions of the standing orders.
“The first document was in the 1950s, then again in the 1960s, revised in 2008, and the current version we are having was in 2010. As we speak, the standing orders are again due for revision,” she said.
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