KAMPALA – The Central Bank on Tuesday warned that people who deface or destroy Uganda banknotes may face hefty fines including trouble with the police.
“This is wrong, deliberately writing on banknotes is a disrespectful way of handling money. Writing on Money is called graffiti and can get you into trouble with the police,” the Central Bank warned in a brief statement on Twitter.
A warning against the improper handling of currency came after images of different currency notes bearing both President Yoweri Museveni and Bobi Wine’s names were circulated widely online and attracted the regulator’s attention.
Yet to be identified individuals asked the public to vote for both candidates ahead of 2021.
“Vote Bobi Wine 2021”, is the latest message on UGX50, 000, UGX20, 000, UGX10, 000.
“BoU should issue an urgent directive on tampering with legal tender bills with such stupidity, ink prints must be rejected for any form of transaction. I am giving BoU and Police 48 hours to issue a statement,” a one Masha Abrah Abbie twitted, giving the Central Bank 48 hours to address the matter.
Willfully causing multiple random folds across the entire banknote that toughly affect its visual appearance and willfully exposing banknotes or coins to chemicals or other materials resulting in the acceleration of the defacement, destruction, or natural wear and tear of the note or coin are also prohibited in under the law.
