Uganda since independence

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Map of Uganda.

Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It has a population of around 35 million and an area of 241,038 km2 (93,065 square miles). The southern part of the country includes a substantial portion of Lake Victoria, shared with Kenya and Tanzania. Uganda also lies within the Nile basin, and has a varied but generally a modified equatorial climate. Uganda takes its name from the Buganda kingdom, which encompasses a large portion of the south of the country, including the capital Kampala.

The official languages are English and Swahili, although "any other language may be used as a medium of instruction in schools or other educational institutions or for legislative, administrative or judicial purposes as may be prescribed by law." Luganda, a central language, is widely spoken across the country, and several other languages are also spoken including Runyoro, Runyankole, Rukiga, and Luo.

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The flag of the Uganda Protectorate, used until 1962.

Beginning in 1894, the area was ruled as a protectorate by the UK.

The British established administrative law across the territory.

Uganda gained independence from Britain on 9 October 1962.

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Here you see Uganda's flag after independence. The three colours are representative of African peoples (black), Africa's sunshine (yellow), and African brotherhood (red being the colour of blood, through which all Africans are connected). The grey crowned crane is fabled for its gentle nature and was also the military badge of Ugandan soldiers during British rule. The raised leg of the crane symbolizes the forward movement of the country.

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The Ugandan coat of arms.

The shield and spears represent the willingness of the Ugandan people to defend their country. There are three images on the shield: those on top represent the waves of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the sun in the centre represents the many days of brilliant sunshine Uganda enjoys; and the traditional drum at the bottom is symbolic of dancing, and the summoning of people to meetings and ceremony. Before the constitution of 1967 abolished the country's ancient monarchies, the drum was symbolic of royalty and the authority of Uganda's kings. The kings of Uganda were the first to use the traditional lentil shaped African shield in their heraldic arms.

The shield is flanked on the heraldic left side by a crested crane (Balearica regulorum gibbericeps), a subspecies of the grey-crowned crane and the national bird of Uganda. On the right is the Ugandan kob (Kobus kob thomasi), a species of kob that here represents abundant wildlife.

The shield stands on a green mound, representing fertile land, and directly above a representation of the River Nile. Two main cash crops, coffee and cotton, flank the river. At the bottom is the national motto: "For God and My Country".

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THE UGANDAN SHILLING

Prior to independence, Uganda was part of the East Africa currency union and used the East African shilling. See also: British Empire: East Africa and Uganda Protectorates. The first Ugandan shilling (UGS) replaced the East African shilling in 1966 at par.

In 1966, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 shillings. The 5, 10 and 20 cent coins were struck in bronze, with the higher denominations struck in copper-nickel. The 2 shilling was only minted in 1966 only. The Royal Mint (UK) produced all these coins for Uganda.

The Royal Mint in London explored some different designs for the coinage that were not adopted. They can be seen here:

Alternative Coin Designs for Uganda, 1965-6.

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The bronze coins showed a stylised floral arrangement on the obverse.

The reverse featured four overlapping elephant tusks.


Above you see the 5 cents coin.

It weighed 3.2 grams and had a diameter of 20 mm.

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The 10 cents coin.

It weighed 5 grams and had a diameter of 24 mm.

See also: Coins with the denomination on both sides.

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The 20 cents coin was similar to the 5 and 10 cents coin.

It weighed 9.76 grams and had a diameter of 28 mm.

Here you see a proof version of the coin.

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The 50 cents coin was made of copper-nickel.

It weighed 4.6 grams and had a diameter of 21.9 mm.


The obverse design featured the Ugandan coat of arms.

It was modelled by English artist Cecil Thomas.

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The reverse design of the 50 cents coin.

It was designed and modelled by English artist Cecil Thomas.


The design featured the crowned crane.

The beautiful crane is Uganda's national bird.

The crane's scientific name is Balearica regulorum gibbericeps.

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The copper-nickel shilling.

It weighed 6.6 grams and had a diameter of 26 mm.

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The obverse of the copper-nickel 2 shillings coin.

It weighed 5.8 grams and had a diameter of 26 mm.

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The reverse of the 2 shillings coin.

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Uganda had previously used the coins of the East African currency union.

Above you see the East Africa 5 cents coin of 1964.


The Ugandan 5, 10 and 20 cents designs were clearly based on the East African designs.

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Above you see the East African 50 cents coin.

The magnificent lion is shown against the background of Mount Muhabura.


Muhabara is an extinct volcano.

It is located in the Virunga Mountains on the Rwanda / Uganda border.

The format of the design above clearly influenced that on the Uganda copper-nickel coins.

See:  British Empire: East Africa and Uganda Protectorates.