Female Muslim trainees in health training institutions have been allowed to wear plain white veils as part of their institutional uniform during classroom training and clinical practice.
The Ministry of Education and Sports issued the directive on August 6, 2026, following complaints from stakeholders over the wearing of veils by female Muslim trainees in classrooms and clinical placement sites.
In a circular addressed to principals of all public and private health training institutions, the ministry said: “Female Muslim Trainees are permitted to cover their heads with a plain WHITE VEIL as an approved part of the institutional uniform.”
The ministry specified that the veil should cover the trainee’s head, ears and neck and be “neatly tucked inside the uniform collar.”However, the permission comes with requirements aimed at maintaining health and safety standards in clinical settings.
“All trainees who wear the approved veil must strictly comply with the standard of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) applicable to their respective clinical units, hospital departments, and skills laboratories during training and service delivery,” the ministry said.
The ministry also restricted the type of material and design that can be used, stating: “The approved material for the veil must be plain white fabric, entirely free from stones, colourful decorations, or any forms of embellishment.” The guidelines will also apply during examinations and other assessments.
“During assessments, trainees wearing the approved veil must fully comply with all security and identification rules established by the assessment board while maintaining the approved dress code,” the ministry said. The directive follows concerns raised by various stakeholders regarding veiling by female Muslim trainees while wearing classroom and clinical practice uniforms.
The ministry has instructed all principals of health training institutions to implement the new guidelines “with immediate effect” and ensure that the information is communicated to all stakeholders involved in the training of health professionals. The circular was signed by Dr Safinah Kisu Museene for the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Sports.
Copies of the directive were sent to the Director General of the Ministry of Health, the Executive Secretary of the Uganda Health Professions Assessment Board, the Executive Director of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council, the Registrar of the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Council and the Registrar of the Uganda Allied Health Professionals Council.
The ministry said institutions seeking clarification should contact the Office of the Commissioner for Health Education and Training. URN