With just days to Valentine’s Day on 14th February 2026, the Bank of Uganda (BoU) has cautioned Ugandans against using the national currency as gift wraps, saying the practice damages notes and increases the cost of printing and replacing defaced money.
The warning came in a statement issued on 6th February by Kenneth Egesa, Director of Communications and Public Relations at BoU.
“The public is cautioned against any practice that mutilates, defaces, or compromises the integrity of Uganda Shilling currency. This destroys the utility of banknotes, making them unusable in cash processing and distribution equipment such as cash counting machines and ATMs. It also leads to premature withdrawal and replacement of notes at an avoidable cost to the public,” Egesa said.
BoU specifically targeted florists, designers, gifting stylists, and their clients, warning against using banknotes and coins in bouquets or similar creations.
“This mainly involves brand-new notes stuck together with glue, cello-tape, pins, clips, or other adhesives as part of floral bouquets for social events and gifting ceremonies. While the Bank does not object to using cash as a gift, this should conform to normal currency use to facilitate payment transactions,” Egesa added.
