General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Operations and son of President Museveni, has ordered all female Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers to now wear skirts instead of trousers during parades.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Muhoozi wrote:
“All female comrades in the UPDF shall from now on march in skirts. Trousers are for men, not for women. Anyone who forces our sisters to put on trousers on parade again will have a very bad day.”
The statement has sparked heated debate across social media platforms, with critics accusing the General of promoting outdated gender norms and infringing on women’s rights within the military.
While some traditionalists and supporters backed the directive, saying it enhances “femininity” and “restores military decorum,” many others questioned the practicality and fairness of the order, especially in a professional defense force that demands functionality over fashion.
Gender activists and rights organizations were quick to respond, calling the move sexist and regressive.
“Skirts shouldn’t be a tool to police gender. Women in the military deserve respect, comfort, and equality — not patriarchal expectations,” one activist posted.
What remains unclear is whether this directive has official weight within UPDF structures or if it’s a personal statement from Muhoozi. The Ministry of Defence has yet to issue any formal clarification or endorse the decision.
