The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has on Friday 1 September 2023 warned against unauthorized sale and use of outfits resembling Army or other security agencies combat uniforms. It will soon start taking legal action against the shopkeepers selling the same, an official said.
“With the unveiling of new combat uniform in January this year, the Army had applied to the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. It is expected to get the Intellectual Property Rights soon,” said an Army spokesperson. He said easy access to the Army uniform is a security threat.
“Sale of the Army uniform in the open market affords easy availability to anyone, hence pose vulnerabilities for the security of military establishments and personnel.
Now, the Army has chalked out plans to take tough action against the dealers who are selling the uniform unauthorizedly,” he added.
The Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs has noted with concern the increasing number of Civilians in military insignia that are a preserve of the security forces. Such as berets, lanyards and clothing.
Section 160 of the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Act, 2005 subsection 2. part (c) prohibits none members of the Security Forces from receiving, possessing, selling or delivering any such attire mentioned above among others.
Whereas, the Uganda Gazette under General Notice No 1013 of 2019, dated 18 Sept 2019 issued a notice describing and prohibiting members of the public from donning Military wears and decorations or so nearly resembling them.
We wish to again warn those individuals donning these items mentioned.
Failure to comply with this warning will invite legal action to the concerned individuals.
Thank you for the usual cooperation that is typical of Ugandans.
