Tayari News
Many people around the World know Valentine’s Day as a day dedicated to expressing love and affection to closest people to their hearts.
One of the most popular ways to do so is by giving flowers. Why people give flowers on Valentine’s Day or not is a topic for another day, but some communities in Uganda have developed a culture of using money to design floral bouquets. If you are planning to use money as flowers this Saturday, go slow. You might attract punishment from the Bank of Uganda.
Authorities at the Bank of Uganda have cautioned the public against using money on floral bouquets and other habits that mutilate notes and coins, saying the practice destroys the integrity of the national currency.
According to BOU, mutilating or defacing Uganda Shilling banknotes and coins is prohibited. This includes using brand-new notes in floral bouquets, money cakes, or decorative gifts by glueing, taping, or pinning them together.” The 6th February 7, 2026, statement read
The bank says that while cash gifts are welcome, and they are not stopping you this Valentine’s Day, “currency should remain in usable condition,” arguing that damaged notes cannot be processed by ATMs and counting machines, leading to costly early replacement.
BOU’s strong warning went to florists, designers, gifting stylists, and their clients, who are particularly cautioned to avoid using currency banknotes and coins in making bouquets or any like creations.
“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.” BOU statement read
According to the Central Bank, the prohibited 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.
“It also results in the premature withdrawal from circulation and replacement of banknotes at an avoidable cost to the public,” BOU noted
Whereas the Bank does not object to using cash as a gift, the gesture should conform to the normal use of currency to facilitate payment transactions.