5 Ugandan Shillings Banknote (Wildlife)

5 Shillings / Shilin Ugandan Shilling (Issued 1987)

The 1987 Ugandan five shilling note was issued during one of the most consequential monetary reform periods in the country’s post-independence history, when the Bank of Uganda redenominated the national currency at a rate of 100 old shillings to one new shilling in order to stabilise an economy that had suffered severe inflation and civil disruption throughout the preceding decade. This currency reform, introduced under President Yoweri Museveni’s National Resistance Movement government following its rise to power in 1986, represented a determined effort to restore monetary confidence and lay the foundations for economic recovery. The 1987 series of banknotes, of which this five shilling note forms the lowest denomination, thus carries genuine historical weight as a physical record of Uganda’s transition towards fiscal discipline and renewed institutional authority. Though modest in face value, the note embodies a pivotal chapter in the development of modern Ugandan banking.

On the front, the note is dominated by a rich maroon and deep red-brown colour scheme laid over a warm peach background, with an intricate geometric framework of intersecting diagonal bands and fine guilloché patterns that fill the margins on both the left and right sides of the composition. The central area is framed by two hexagonal panels arranged symmetrically, the left of which contains the Ugandan national coat of arms — depicting the crested crane and kob antelope as supporters flanking a shield, with the national motto “FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY” inscribed on a banner beneath — rendered in fine intaglio engraving with considerable tonal depth. The right hexagonal panel reproduces the Bank of Uganda’s own institutional seal, featuring a set of scales beneath a triple-arched motif and the words “BANK OF UGANDA” surrounding the emblem. A third central hexagonal panel contains a simplified outline map of Uganda, clearly delineating the country’s borders and giving the note a distinctly national character. The denomination “FIVE SHILLINGS / SHILINGI TANO” is printed in bold serif lettering at the centre, with the supporting text “LEGAL TENDER FOR FIVE SHILLINGS FOR BANK OF UGANDA” in smaller print directly below. The issuing authority “BANK OF UGANDA” appears prominently in large capital letters across the top of the note. Serial number BX437213 appears twice, once in the lower left and once in the upper right, printed in dark ink. Two manuscript facsimile signatures appear beneath the central text, attributed to the Governor and the Secretary to the Treasury respectively. The year 1987 is printed to the lower right, and the numeral “5” appears in each corner of the note in bold typeface. The overall printing is crisp and precisely registered, consistent with the security printing standards of the period.

The reverse continues the maroon and peach colour palette established on the front, with the same bold diagonal geometric framework of intersecting bands framing the central composition on both sides. The dominant feature of the reverse is a large hexagonal vignette rendered in detailed intaglio engraving, depicting a richly observed East African wildlife scene set against a background of savannah vegetation, open grassland, and a distant mountain silhouette. Within this scene, a large African elephant is prominently depicted in the background, while in the foreground a Uganda kob antelope stands alert amidst the vegetation, and what appears to be a hippopotamus rests at the right of the composition. To the left, a grey crowned crane — Uganda’s national bird — stands with characteristic elegance, its plumage carefully delineated. Tall grass, scattered trees including what appear to be acacia forms, and layered landscape elements give the vignette a strong sense of natural depth and geographic specificity. The text “BANK OF UGANDA” appears in capital letters across the top of the reverse, and “FIVE SHILLINGS / SHILINGI TANO” is printed in bold across the lower portion. The numeral “5” appears on each lateral margin. A small diamond motif in yellow is visible at the left side of the note, consistent with the design on the front. The printer’s credit appears in very small text along the lower margin. The paper exhibits a light background texture consistent with security paper of the period.

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• Indicate the quantity of 5 Shillings / Shilin Ugandan Shilling banknotes you want to exchange
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• Your online account now shows the exchange value

Turn forgotten Ugandan Shillings banknotes into money: Webuyallcurrency.com lets you exchange foreign coins and notes — even withdrawn ones — as part of one clear transaction, no specialist knowledge required.

Other Ugandan Shillings you can exchange: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000.