Uganda and Rwanda Follow Kenya’s Lead in Banning Cash Bouquets
A growing regional crackdown on the misuse of currency has taken shape after Uganda and Rwanda followed Kenya’s lead in banning the use of banknotes for decorative purposes, including the increasingly popular cash bouquets and money-themed gift displays.
The move comes barely a week after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) issued a public clarification warning that while giving cash as a gift is legal, using banknotes to create bouquets, money cakes, or decorative arrangements is prohibited under the law. CBK explained that practices such as folding, rolling, stapling, pinning, or gluing currency notes amount to defacement and render the notes unfit for circulation.
According to the regulator, such actions contravene Section 367 of Kenya’s Penal Code, which criminalises the defacing, mutilating, or impairing of currency notes.
Following Kenya’s announcement, monetary authorities in Uganda and Rwanda have issued similar warnings, signalling a coordinated regional effort to protect the integrity of national currencies.
In Uganda, the Bank of Uganda on Friday, February 6, cautioned florists, event designers, and members of the public against using Uganda Shilling banknotes in decorative displays. The central bank warned that damaged notes disrupt the financial system and impose unnecessary costs on the public.
“Bank of Uganda reminds the public that mutilating or defacing Uganda Shilling banknotes is prohibited. This includes using notes in floral bouquets, money cakes, or decorative gifts by gluing, taping, or pinning them,” the bank said in a statement.
The regulator noted that damaged banknotes cannot be processed through automated teller machines (ATMs) or cash-counting machines, forcing the central bank to replace them prematurely.
“While cash gifts are welcome, currency should remain in usable condition. Damaged notes cannot be processed by ATMs and counting machines, leading to costly early replacement,” the statement added.
Similarly, the National Bank of Rwanda issued a notice banning the use of Rwandan francs for celebratory and decorative purposes. The bank warned that deliberately defacing currency constitutes an offence punishable by law.
The Rwandan regulator expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of misusing banknotes and coins for aesthetic purposes, particularly during celebrations.
“The Central Bank of Rwanda continues to observe the misuse of Rwandan francs, where banknotes and coins are used to wrap flowers given as gifts and other activities related to arranging, preparing or decorating,” the bank said.
It added that such practices undermine public confidence in the currency and weaken the national cash distribution system.
“These activities damage banknotes, causing them to become extremely defective and creating difficulties in financial management and administration,” the statement read.
Across the region, central banks have emphasised that currency is a public good that must be handled responsibly. They argue that decorative misuse not only shortens the lifespan of banknotes but also increases printing and replacement costs, which are ultimately borne by taxpayers.
The popularity of money bouquets has surged in recent years, particularly at weddings, graduations, and birthday celebrations, driven largely by social media trends. However, financial regulators say the aesthetic appeal does not outweigh the long-term economic costs.
With Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda now aligned on the issue, observers say the trend of cash-based decorations could soon fall out of fashion, as more African countries consider similar measures to safeguard their currencies.
Central banks across the region have urged the public to explore alternative gifting options that preserve the integrity of banknotes, noting that cash can still be given respectfully without altering or damaging it.
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Uganda and Rwanda Follow Kenya’s Lead in Banning Cash Bouquets
