The Ministry of Public Service has issued a dress code banning sleeveless, transparent and tight clothing for non-uniformed officers in Public Service.
According to Public Service Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire public servants have disregarded provisions of the Uganda public service standing orders by continually dressing in a manner that does not portray a good image of the service.
The Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2010, stipulate that officers shall always be required to dress decently and in the generally acceptable standards in the Uganda Community. They however do not highlight what would constitute decent, smart and reasonable dressing.
In her establishment notice, PS Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire says all female members of the public service should dress in a skirt or dress that is not above the knees, with a smart, long or short sleeved blouse. She adds that sleeveless and transparent blouses and dresses will not be tolerated at the work place while all clothing is expected to cover the cleavage, navel and the back.
The notice also bans tight fitting dresses and skirts, flat shoes and colored hair presented in form of natural, braids and hair extensions. Female employees will not be allowed to have long nails measuring more than 3-inches, bright and multicolored nail polish and chandelier earrings.
Male public servants, according to the notice, are expected to present themselves in neat trousers, long sleeved shirts, jackets and a necktie. Their clothing will be restricted to only five colors. These include black, brown, grey, navy blue, and Dark Green suits.
They will not be allowed to wear open shoes during working hours except on health grounds and shoes will be restricted to brown and black colors.
– URN
