Rwanda and Uganda have officially joined Kenya in issuing strong warnings against the use of banknotes in decorative gifts such as money bouquets, money cakes, cash garlands and other ornamental arrangements that involve folding, stapling or attaching currency.
The coordinated advisories from the National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) and the Bank of Uganda (BoU) follow an earlier warning by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) that highlighted risks to currency integrity, increased operational costs and legal concerns.
The trend of using real cash as visual décor has surged on social media platforms, particularly ahead of Valentine’s Day, graduation celebrations, weddings and birthdays.
Viral videos and posts showcasing elaborate bouquets made entirely of banknotes have sparked widespread public interest and now regulatory action.
In a statement released by the Bank of Uganda, Governor Dr. Michael Atingi-Ego reiterated the central bank’s position on the inappropriate use of legal tender.
“Currency must be handled with respect and care,” the NBR said in a press release.
“Altering notes by attaching them to floral wraps, cake designs, strings or other decorative material compromises security features, shortens the effective life of the notes, and may contravene national law.”
The Bank of Uganda highlighted that when banknotes are damaged, they cannot be processed by ATMs, cash counters or other banking machinery.
This leads to premature withdrawal of notes from circulation and increases replacement costs that ultimately affect taxpayers and financial institutions.
Similarly, the National Bank of Rwanda issued a directive warning the public against mutilating Rwandan Franc banknotes for aesthetic purposes.
“Currency must be handled with respect and care,” the NBR said in a press release.
“Altering notes by attaching them to floral wraps, cake designs, strings or other decorative material compromises security features, shortens the effective life of the notes, and may contravene national law.”
The NBR emphasized that deliberate damage to currency can attract fines or other penalties under Rwanda’s financial regulations.
The advisory from the Central Bank of Kenya earlier this month drew significant public attention. In its statement, the CBK noted that defacing banknotes by stapling, taping, folding or otherwise altering them could constitute an offence under Kenyan law.
“Any person who willfully mutilates or defaces currency commits an offence,” the CBK statement read. “Members of the public are urged to avoid using banknotes for non-monetary purposes.”
Kenyan officials said that an influx of damaged banknotes had been observed at banking facilities, particularly in newly issued notes that were meant for general circulation.
The CBK warned that such trends disrupt cash handling, complicate currency distribution and lead to higher operational burdens.
The warnings from Rwanda and Uganda mark a growing regional response to a trend that began as a social media phenomenon.
Influencers and content creators have played a role in popularising money bouquets, showcasing them as premium gifts that combine novelty with perceived generosity.