For generations, uniforms have been a powerful symbol of identity, discipline and tradition of school. Across Uganda, many schools have maintained the same uniforms since their founding days, while other institutions have altered theirs to reflect changing times, rebranding efforts or educational philosophies.
When students at some schools loosen their ties, fail to tuck in their shirts, roll up their sleeves or ignore parts of the prescribed school uniform, it is often viewed as indiscipline.
But could it also be a sign of something else; a disconnect between learners and the uniforms they are required to wear, regularly?
As schools seek to balance identity, tradition and learners’ welfare, a debate is emerging over whether students should be given a choice to determine the kind of uniform they wear.
Ms Teddy Mellisa Mutyaba, a teacher at St. Maria Goretti SS, Katende and an educationist, shares that school uniforms are part of a colonial system.
She believes that just like changes in the education system, students should have a view in this matter. ‘That is why some students think that they have to do things uniformly, like other people do them,’ Ms Mutyaba said.
‘If you want to believe that school uniforms have nothing to do with instilling decency, watch the way students dress when given a chance to do it their way.’
School uniforms have long been a defining feature of Uganda’s education system. Most schools in Uganda if not all, both private and public schools from Kindergarten to secondary wear school uniforms, mandatory, standardized dress code.
The uniforms mostly range from dresses, skirts and blouses, pinafores, blazers, neckties, shorts or trousers for boys, which are designed to create a sense of belonging.
The uniforms also promote equality among learners regardless of social background and enable easy identification of students.
Some uniforms have become inseparable from the schools they represent. One of Uganda’s most distinctive examples is Nyakasura School in Fort Portal City.
Founded in 1926 by Scottish missionary educator Ernest Ebohard Calwell and influenced by Scottish traditions, the school has retained one of the country’s most recognizable uniforms.
Male students wear traditional Scottish kilts instead of trousers or shorts, a practice that has survived for nearly a century and continues to symbolise the institution’s heritage.
Similarly, many other schools adopted uniforms inspired by the traditions and values of their founders. Over time, these uniforms became part of the institutions’ identities, often surviving changes in leadership, curriculum and generations of learners.
However, for some students, wearing school uniform is less about pride and identification but more about complying with school rules and regulations.
The question has become increasingly relevant as schools seek ways to improve student participation and create learner-centred environments.
While students are encouraged to express their views on school governance through prefect bodies and student councils, the extent to which they can influence decisions on uniforms remains limited.
More than just clothing
Several school administrators insist that a uniform is much more than an outfit. It is often a reflection of a school’s history, values and identity, highlighting that changing a school uniform is not a simple matter of altering colours or designs, it can be seen as a changing part of the school’s heritage.
According to Mr Hasadu Kirabira, the Chairperson of the National Private Education Institutions Association (NPEIA) learners should not influence decisions to change a school uniform.
‘A uniform is a uniform and it is informed by so many considerations. It isn’t prudent that the school uniform be changed because a school uniform is the school identity.
The moment you get away with it, the school loses identity,’ Mr Kirabira said.
Mr Kirabira explained that schools administrators and the board consider factors such as durability or materials, schools colours, appropriateness of the design and values the institution wants to instill in students before settling on a type of uniform to settle with. ‘While choosing a school uniform, we look at decency not for fashion wear purposes.
The fashion that brings out the picture of a learner in terms of dressing, not in terms of figure or fitting,’ Mr Kirabira said.
‘In some schools, neckties are compulsory and are often associated with discipline, professionalism and proper grooming.’
Mr Kirabira emphasized that if a student is uncomfortable with the school uniform, they should try another school where they will be comfortable.
‘Unless something is partial, maybe health issues, a student is sick, then you say, okay, we can pardon you for a given period of time later,’ Mr Kirabira pointed out.
‘But a uniform is a uniform. If you feel you are not comfortable with the uniform, you go and look for a school where you are comfortable.’
Influence on school uniform
Mr Edson Baluku, the headteacher of Birere Secondary School in Isingiro District also noted that although students are encouraged to express their views on school governance, they should not have influence on changing a school uniform.
He explained that a school uniform is a profound symbol of a school’s unique identity and the challenge is finding a balance between preserving school traditions and responding to the needs of modern learners.
‘It’s not advisable to change the school uniform, a school is known for its uniform, when you change it may come with some challenges,’ Mr Baluku explained.
‘Some clients are customized to the situation so when you change it you may lose them.’
However, he noted that if students are not respecting the school uniform and are always shabby because they aren’t comfortable, the school should take a responsibility to counselling them and guiding them how the uniform is important.
‘We can motivate them through guidance and counselling but not through changing a uniform. Some of these cases are indiscipline, but when they are talked to, some of them will change their attitude,’ Mr Baluku said.
‘At times uniforms are arrived at out of managerial meetings and the management and administrators are the ones who determine the uniform, for a reason.’
Mr Baluku emphasised that the school can only change their identity when they are not achieving what they intended to achieve and are rebranding.
‘When the school is achieving its goals and objectives, a uniform may not a big issue,’ he said.
He emphasised that learners and parents must always do due diligence of the school they want to join including the kind of school uniform learners wear and in case they aren’t comfortable with it, they can try another school.
Mr Nasur Mugerwa, an old student of Kololo Secondary School also believes that students shouldn’t have the choice of changing the school uniform, as it identifies a given school.
He cites Kololo Secondary School, where he believes that white trousers and white shirts for boys makes the institution stand out, from others.
‘The school identity has been built for decades and has become part of the heritage and culture, therefore changing it means you are erasing a piece of the school’s history,’ Mr Mugerwa said.
He added; ‘Every male student who has gone through the gates of Kololo SS for O-level, has worn the same uniform. It reminds us of where we came from the values of cleanliness the school instilled in us.’
According to Mr Mugerwa, while students may have concerns about the comfort. The school uniform is not designed to follow trends but rather it is meant to build identity, discipline and equality.
He explains that if every generation changes the school uniform to fit its preferences, schools will lose the traditions that make them distinct, noting that students come and go after four or six years but institutions remain.
School identity
Ms Daphine Nimusiima an old girl of Kashaka Girls’ School in Sheema district also noted that a uniform is part of a school identity and students shouldn’t have any influence on them.
She explained that the preferences and choices of students in 2026 may not be the same for students that will come a year after them, which could result in frequent changes that gradually erode a school’s identity.
‘A school uniform is not a fashion trend, whoever is not happy with the uniform they can choose a school whose uniform they are comfortable with,’ Ms Nimusiima said.
However, a section of the public argue that although students should not have a final say, the school administration and students should have a voice in matter as they views matter in many aspects of school life.
Some state that students’ perspectives can expose concerns that administrators may underlook like the quality and comfort that would require not necessarily changing the uniform colour but the design