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Valentine’s Day gift trends have drawn warnings from central banks in Rwanda and Uganda, which have cautioned the public against using banknotes and coins for decorative purposes.
In a public notice on Friday, the National Bank of Rwanda said it continues to see the misuse of Rwandan currency, with banknotes and coins used to wrap flowers given as gifts and for other decorative activities.
“This is done by florists, traders, event planners, artists, gift organisers and their clients. In such activities, banknotes are folded, inserted into paper clips, glued or other types of adhesives in order to make money available as gifts at various events and ceremonies,” the bank said.
It noted that the practice compromises the integrity of banknotes and makes them unsuitable for use in cash-handling and processing equipment, including cash-counting machines and automated teller machines.
“This damage results in the premature withdrawal and replacement of banknotes, leading to avoidable costs,” the notice said.
The bank warned that anyone who “wilfully defaces, mutilates, or otherwise impairs” Rwandan currency commits an offence under Law N° 68/2018 of 30/08/2018.
In a separate notice, the Bank of Uganda issued a similar warning against the misuse of Ugandan shilling banknotes and coins.
“The public is cautioned against any practice that mutilates, defaces, or compromises the integrity of Uganda Shilling currency,” the bank said.
It said the practice, which often involves glueing, taping, pinning, or clipping new banknotes to create bouquets, renders the notes unusable in cash-processing and distribution equipment such as ATMs and cash-counting machines.
“Florists, designers, gifting stylists, and their clients are particularly cautioned to avoid using currency banknotes and coins in making bouquets or any like creations,” the bank said.
The Bank of Uganda said it does not object to the use of cash as a gift but added that “this exchange should conform to the normal use of currency to facilitate payment transactions.”
Last week, Kenyan authorities also cautioned citizens against using Kenyan shilling banknotes to make cash flower bouquets and other decorative gifts in preparation for Valentine’s Day.
