Uganda and Rwanda Join Kenya in Banning use of Cash Bouquets.
In a regional trend sparked by Kenya's recent directive, the central banks of Uganda and Rwanda have issued strong warnings against the practice of using banknotes to create decorative items such as money bouquets, money cakes, floral arrangements, and other celebratory gifts.
Following the Central Bank of Kenya's (CBK) clarification just a week earlier on February 2, 2026, the Bank of Uganda released its public notice on February 6, 2026, and the National Bank of Rwanda followed with a similar alert around the same time. The move reflects a growing effort across East Africa to safeguard national currencies from physical damage and unnecessary replacement costs.
The restrictions target specific actions that impair currency integrity, including folding, rolling, stapling, pinning, gluing, taping, clipping, or otherwise attaching banknotes and coins to form bouquets or decorative displays—often popular at weddings, birthdays, graduations, and other events. Authorities in both countries have stressed that giving cash as a gift remains perfectly acceptable and encouraged, but the notes must stay in their original, usable condition. Damaged or defaced currency becomes difficult or impossible to process through ATMs, counting machines, and circulation systems, leading to premature withdrawal and expensive replacements for the central banks.
Officials highlighted that such misuse not only violates laws prohibiting the mutilation or defacement of legal tender but also erodes public confidence in the currency and strains national cash management. In Uganda, the Bank of Uganda specifically cautioned florists, event designers, gifting stylists, and the general public to avoid incorporating fresh banknotes into any creations. Rwanda's central bank echoed similar concerns, noting ongoing observations of francs being used in gift-wrapping flowers and decorative setups. This coordinated stance from the three nations suggests the trend of elaborate cash bouquets may soon become a thing of the past in the region, especially with Valentine's Day approaching.
