Public servants dress code: Did the message stick?

PUBLIC SERVICE | DRESS CODE

After it coming to the attention of the public service ministry that public officers "have continued to dress in a manner that does not portray a good image of the service", the ministry has issued a fresh directive on the dress code for public servants.

The decision to ban some inappropriate clothing from public offices has been met with varied reactions from members of the  public, with some saying it is limiting freedom of expression.

Anyways, it may be still early days but has this fresh call been adhered to? Our cameras roved around government offices on Wednesday to see if the message is sticking . . .

Officers at the Ministry of Public Service. Male public employees are required to wear neat trousers, long-sleeved shirts, jacket and a neck-tie.

A driver clad in a T-shirt alights from a government vehicle along Parliamentary Avenue in Kampala.

Some, like this ministry of justice officer, got the message right. It's a smile of satisfaction alright. Tick!

No prizes for guessing what's missing on this nearly-complete appropriate attire this government worker walking along a Kampala street is donning.

Uhm, anyone?

Neck-tie . . .right?

From his pensive look however, his attentions could be on something completely far from a neck-tie.

According to Section F-j of the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2010, which provides for dress code in the public service, female public officers must dress in a skirt or dress that is not above the knees.

The law clarifies that female public servants must wear clothing that covers up cleavage, navel [as opposed to 'kundi show'], knees and back.

By the way, the fresh dress code directive is for non-uniformed officers in the public service.  These workers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Immigration Department look smart in their office uniforms.

According to the law, female public servants must desist from wearing tight-fitting dresses and skirts. Pictured is a teacher with her pupils as they wait at the entrance of Hot Loaf in Industrial Area for a tour.

 

Meanwhile, it's a tick for Soroti district assistant health officer Stephen Eyura, who was pictured arriving for work dressed the part . . . or dressed appropriately, if you like.

Public servants are not allowed to appear for duty in open flat shoes. There is an exception for this though: only if it's by a doctor's recommendation or on medical ground.

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