The romance is over for the "money bouquet." In a coordinated regulatory crackdown, Uganda and Rwanda have joined Kenya in outlawing the trendy practice of folding, pinning, and gluing banknotes into floral arrangements, declaring it a threat to national economic security.

The central banks of the three East African nations have spoken with one voice: currency is for trade, not decoration. The move follows a viral warning from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) earlier this week, which flagged the social media-driven craze as a violation of the penal code. Now, the Bank of Uganda and the National Bank of Rwanda have followed suit, warning florists and influencers that "defacing" legal tender carries stiff penalties.

The Cost of Vanity

Authorities argue that the practice is not just harmless fun. The pins pierce security threads, the glue destroys the cotton-paper matrix, and the crumpling reduces the lifespan of notes, forcing central banks to spend billions on premature printing replacements. "When you pin a note, you are pinning a cost on the taxpayer," read a stern statement from Kampala.

• The Regional Ripple Effect: This synchronized ban highlights a growing regulatory alignment in the East African Community. Monetary authorities are increasingly intolerant of "lifestyle trends" that compromise fiscal efficiency.
• The Penalties: In all three nations, willful destruction of currency is a crime. Florists found offering "cash bouquet" services now risk fines or jail time, effectively killing a booming niche industry overnight.

A Return to Tradition?

For the lovers and show-offs of East Africa, the message is clear: send an M-Pesa, write a cheque, or buy real roses. The era of the "cash flower" has been wilted by the cold, hard hand of the law.