Uganda: Golden Jubilee Coin Launched
BY SAMUEL SANYA, 28 SEPTEMBER 2012
With Crested Crane wadding in water at one end to depict Uganda's rich heritage and a court of arms at the other to depict this great nation's unique identity, the Jubilee coin is a spectacle to behold.
The granite-grey and golden sh1, 000 Jubilee coin has officially been launched and it will become legal upon its circulation on the 9th of October.
The exact date Uganda got her independence from Great Britain 50 years ago.
"We thought of a way to commemorate Uganda's Independence Jubilee and there was no better way than to print this magnificent coin that all citizens of this country and the rest of the world can relate to," said deputy central bank Governor Loius Kasekende.
He made the remarks at the Bank of Uganda (BOU) headquarters at the launch of the Jubilee coin.
Henry Kajura, the 2nd deputy prime minister and former Governor (BOU) said the Jubilee coin is "wonderful", an "excellent momento" while launching the coin.
"I will place this coin is the most vital place of my living room so that everyone that visits me can see it," he said.
Governor Emmanuel Mutebile said that the Jubilee coin will circulate alongside the sh1, 000 note and will effectively be legal tender.
"A non-circulation, momento version of the coin will be made, so that citizens and foreign nationals and purchase and keep the jubilee coin as a collector's item," he said.
Kajura recounted the days when he served as Governor, urging for the return to a single East African currency and the East African Currency Board that existed before 1966 when the Bank of Uganda was established.
"I still hope that someday all five East African Countries will have a single currency. I don't know when, but I'm sure it will come," he said.
He then urged the Central Bank to prepare for the Oil economy adding that the way in which oil cash will be handled will determine the fate of this country.
The 1st Jubilee coin was offered to His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni, with subsequent coins going to Henry Kajura, former finance minister Ezra Suruma, former Central Bank governor Leo Kibirango, former Governor Alengot and finance minister Maria Kiwanuka.
The British Envoy, all five East African envoys, the Dean of the Diplomatic corp in Uganda received Jubilee coins.
The Jubilee coin was minted by the South African mint company and they received one coin in appreciation of the excellent work done.
Source:
All Africa
