Bank of Uganda has warning florists, designers and gifting stylists against using Ugandan money as flowers. The central bank this practices mutilates, defaces and compromises the integrity of the Uganda Shilling currency.

Kenneth Egesa, the Director Communications at the Bank of Uganda, said florists have been cautioned to avoid using currency banknotes and coins in making bouquets. .

“This mainly involves the use of brand-new banknotes that are stuck together using glue, cello-tape, pins, clips, and other adhesives or fasteners as part of floral bouquets for various social events and gifting ceremonies,” said Egesa.

The Bank of Uganda said this practice destroys the utility of banknotes making them unusable in cash processing and distribution equipment, such as cash counting machines and ATMs, which are a critical part of the cash distribution systems.

Egesa added that it also results in the premature withdrawal from circulation and replacement of banknotes at an avoidable cost to the public.

“Whereas the Bank does not object to using cash as a gift, this exchange should conform to the normal use of currency to facilitate payment transactions,” he added.

The central bank further stated that it is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the national currency in circulation to fulfil its functionality as a medium of exchange, and store of value.