As Valentine’s Day draws near, the Bank of Uganda (BoU) has warned the public against damaging Uganda Shilling banknotes in the name of romantic gifting.
In a public notice, the central bank expressed concern over the growing practice of using cash to create decorative money bouquets and similar displays. The trend, popular during Valentine’s celebrations, often involves new banknotes being glued, taped, pinned or clipped together into floral arrangements.
BoU said such actions amount to defacing and mutilating currency, which compromises the usability of banknotes. The Bank specifically cautioned florists, gift designers, stylists and members of the public against incorporating banknotes or coins into decorative items.
According to the central bank, the use of adhesives, pins and tapes damages notes, making them unsuitable for use in ATMs, cash-counting machines and other processing equipment. This disrupts cash circulation and forces damaged notes to be withdrawn and replaced earlier than necessary, at a cost ultimately borne by the public.
The Bank clarified that it does not object to cash being given as a gift during Valentine’s Day or any other occasion. However, it stressed that money should be exchanged in its normal form and used strictly as a means of payment.
