In a move that’s putting a bit of a chill on Valentine’s Day and wedding season, the Bank of Uganda (BoU) has issued a firm warning against the popular trend of “money bouquets.”
As of February 2026, Uganda has joined neighbors Kenya and Rwanda in a regional crackdown on using legal tender for floral arrangements, “money cakes,” and other decorative gifts.
The BoU isn’t trying to be a “love-killer”—the issue is actually practical and financial. Here is why they are discouraging the practice:
Physical Damage: These bouquets often involve gluing, taping, pinning, or stapling brand-new banknotes. This mutilates the paper, making the notes unfit for circulation.
Machine Failure: Damaged or sticky notes cannot be processed by ATMs or cash-counting machines, which are the backbone of the banking system.
High Costs: Replacing “mutilated” notes costs the taxpayer a fortune. In the 2024/25 financial year, currency-related costs in Uganda rose to over UGX 212 billion, partly due to replacing prematurely worn-out cash.
Legal Risks: Under the Penal Code Act (Section 367), defacing or mutilating currency is a criminal offense. Conviction can lead to up to six months in prison, a fine, or both.
The Bank clarified that giving cash as a gift is perfectly fine—it just shouldn’t be used as art material. They recommend using:
Envelopes
Gift boxes
Decorative holders that don’t require folding, pinning, or gluing the money.
The Bottom Line: If you’re a florist or a romantic, it’s time to get creative with your presentation. A stack of cash in a nice envelope is still “aesthetic,” and it won’t land you in a legal or financial thorny patch.
