Uganda Prisons Service has clarified that their new camouflage attire will not replace their conventional outfit, stating it is strictly for their staff under the Safety and Security Unit.
The camouflage attire was first showcased during the 62nd Independence celebration in Busia last week. Many on social media criticised the design, linking it to the militarisation of the Prison Service, while others jokingly said the design was inspired by the ‘famous’ Kikalaayi meal, if you know, you know.
Speaking this morning during the weekly police briefing at the police headquarters in Naguru, Baine said the new uniform is not for every prison warder.
“This uniform is meant for a unit called Safety and Security and not for everybody. This unit is specifically trained to guard key installations, VVIPs, and escort hardcore criminals,” Baine said.
He explained that the new camouflage uniform was introduced because of the nature of the job for those in the Safety and Security Unit, which sometimes involves maneuvers that cannot be done while wearing the original maroon uniform.
“There shouldn’t be any worry that we have lost the old uniform; we’ve simply introduced one for one of our units,” he said.
Camouflage attire is slowly becoming more common in security forces besides the army. In 2022, the police introduced a camouflage uniform for the Anti Stock Theft Unit. The police said the uniform was changed for easier identification and to suit the environment the officers operate in.
The unit is directly charged with the responsibility of mitigating cattle theft and operates mostly in Karamoja and the neighbouring districts.
