Strict new dress code sparks anger in Uganda

Kampala, Wednesday

Ugandan public servants have hit out at a list of strict new rules forbidding them from showing cleavage, having long nails, dyed hair or wearing skirts above the knee.

But for many in the East African nation, the main concern seemed to be the cost of implementing the rules, rather than the rules themselves, and the fact that workers had not been consulted.

“Women get less pay. This directive will make women fear going to workplaces for fear of losing their jobs because they don’t have money to buy new dresses and change hairstyles,” said Agnes Kunihira, the workers’ representative in parliament.

Winifred Akech, 34, a public officer in one of the government agencies said she was forced to borrow money to cut her hair as the hairstyle she had was banned under the new directive.

“I didn’t have money to go to a salon and cut my hair because it has a tint (colour) and was forced to borrow from a friend. This is embarrassing to me. Secondly, I feel my right to a hairstyle of my choice is being trampled upon,” she said.

A statement from the ministry of public service on Tuesday outlined the list of strict rules, saying that public officers had been dressing indecently.

It said women should not wear tight clothes, skirts or dresses above the knees or reveal their back or cleavage. Civil servants “are also required to keep their hair neat without colour, on top of maintaining polished short nails not more than three centimetres.”

“Exaggerated make-up” is also a no-no. Men are required to wear trousers—but not too tight—jackets, a neck-tie and closed shoes. According to the statement those contravening the rules would be given a warning, and repeat offenders would face disciplinary action. -AFP

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