Certainly! Below is the comprehensive financial history report for Uganda in English, covering all currencies used since the beginning of its monetary production, with emphasis on the current official currency.
Official country name: Republic of Uganda
Official language: English (widely used), Swahili (also official)
Country ISO code: UG
Current official currency: Ugandan Shilling
Currency ISO code: UGX
ISO Code: UGX
Symbol: USh
Subdivision: 1 Shilling = 100 cents (though cents are no longer in practical use due to inflation)
Date of introduction: 1966 (replaced the East African Shilling)
Circulation period: 1966 to present (active)
Mint: Coins and banknotes are produced by various international mints; Uganda does not have a national mint.
Issuing bank: Bank of Uganda
Coin denominations: 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 shillings (coins are less commonly used due to inflation)
Banknote denominations: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 shillings
Designs and symbols:
Banknotes feature prominent Ugandan leaders, cultural symbols, wildlife, and landmarks.
Coins depict national symbols such as the crested crane (national bird) and the coat of arms.
Status: Official and actively circulating currency.
Monetary legislation: Regulated by the Bank of Uganda under the Bank of Uganda Act and related financial regulations.
Curiosities:
The Bank of Uganda has issued commemorative coins and banknotes celebrating national events and anniversaries.
Inflation and currency devaluation have led to the phasing out of smaller denominations.
ISO Code: EAS (historical)
Circulation period: 1921 to 1966 (used in British East African territories including Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania)
Context: Replaced by the Ugandan Shilling after independence and monetary separation.
Status: No longer in circulation; now a collector’s item.
Uganda’s economy is diverse, with agriculture, mining, manufacturing, and services as key sectors.
The Ugandan Shilling has experienced inflationary pressures over the decades, leading to periodic currency reissues and introduction of higher denominations.
The Bank of Uganda manages monetary policy aimed at controlling inflation, stabilizing the currency, and supporting economic growth.
Inflation rates have fluctuated but have generally moderated in recent years due to monetary policy and fiscal discipline.
The currency remains vulnerable to external shocks, including commodity price fluctuations and regional economic dynamics.
Currency | ISO Code | Symbol | Subdivision | Circulation Period | Issuing Bank | Main Denominations (coins/banknotes) | Current Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ugandan Shilling | UGX | USh | 1 Shilling = 100 cents | Since 1966 to present | Bank of Uganda | Coins: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 shillings Banknotes: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 |
Active and official |
East African Shilling | EAS (historic) | - | 1 Shilling = 100 cents | 1921 to 1966 | East African Currency Board | Various coins and banknotes used in British East Africa | Out of circulation |
Banknotes bear signatures of the Governor of the Bank of Uganda and the Minister of Finance.
Commemorative issues have marked independence anniversaries and other national milestones.
Security features on banknotes include watermarks, security threads, holograms, and color-shifting inks.
The Ugandan Shilling is the sole legal tender within Uganda; foreign currencies are not officially accepted for domestic transactions.
The Bank of Uganda periodically updates currency designs to enhance security and durability.
This report provides a detailed overview of Uganda’s financial and monetary history, highlighting the Ugandan Shilling as the current official currency, its evolution from the East African Shilling, and the economic context shaping its use.