Uganda police force has warned private security companies, Bouncers associations, political groups and individuals who are continuing to wear replica uniforms that resembles that of the police force and the army.
According to the police spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga, the act is illegal and must stop immediately because the police uniform is one of the most recognised symbols in society, and it serves to readily identify officers to members of the public and distinguish them from civilians.
“ these uniforms also assist members of the public in identifying police officers and approach them wherever they’re in trouble, where it creates a general sense of safety and security.” Said the police spokesperson
It’s upon the above context that he noted with concern, an increase in the manipulation of police uniforms where private security organisations, Bouncers Associations, Political groups like National Unity Platform and other individuals, have adopted the darker black uniforms for the counter-terrorism police, Khakhi for General Duties and white uniforms for the Traffic Police, among others
In this regard, Enanga disclosed that they’ve so far confiscated a number of items which includes; the high visibility vests, jackets, sunglasses, black attires, and other similar configurations from the Bouncers (under BAU), other PSOs, which were making them appear more militaristic and combat hardened.
“For some of them like the bouncers we’ve seen and some political groups, they’ve adopted these uniforms to appear authoritarian and militaristic. Some wear them to convey a more aggressive message to the public.” Enanga said
He however, revealed that the Private Security Organizations Regulations 23(3) of Statutory Instrument 2013 NO.11, the Police (Control of PSOs) gives guidance, for other individuals and groups the unauthorized duplication and manipulation of rank insignia and accoutrements of the police and other Sister Agencies like the UPDF and Prisons Services, is a violation of the laws under the UPDF Act, Penal Code and other Statutory instruments that gazette the uniforms.
