If you’re planning to visit any of these five African countries, there’s one item you should definitely leave at home: camouflage clothing.
Wearing it without authorisation in public can result in fines, arrest, or even jail time in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Zambia, where camouflage is typically reserved for military personnel.
Uganda seems to have the strictest laws according to UK government advice, where military-style clothing can even lead to life imprisonment.
The UK government website explains: “It is illegal for anyone, including children, to dress in military-style clothing. This includes clothing with marks, badges or symbols and accessories associated with the Ugandan military, camouflage clothing and red berets. The offence carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment when convicted.”
If you’re heading to west Africa to see whether Ghana or Nigeria has the better jollof, the punishment here can be quite hefty too.
In July this year, director of army public relations in Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, reiterated that wearing military camouflage was banned to avoid the exploitation of its misuse.
A press release by the Ghana Armed Forces in October 2024 stated that anyone caught wearing military attire without authorisation will be dealt with to the full extent of the law.
Even though UK government advice doesn’t specify the sentence, it gives advice on Ghana, saying: “Wearing military clothing including camouflage is illegal.”
If you’d like to see the thundering Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia, leave your camouflage outfits at home too.
The Zambia Travel Guide website suggests you may be stopped and questioned by the police or military to check your motives if seen wearing the prohibited attire.
Despite not mentioning what the penalty may be, the UK government website says of Zimbabwe: “It is illegal for civilians to wear any form of clothing made from camouflage material.”
In total, camouflage clothing is banned in 19 countries.
The majority of the countries are in The Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago.
In the Middle East it’s banned in Oman and Saudi Arabia, while in South America it’s banned in Guyana.