The Secret History Behind Uganda's Flag
Uganda's flag was not the first one proposed, and a change of government decided which one we see today.
The first flag planned for an independent Uganda had three vertical bands of green, blue and green, with a yellow crane silhouette in the middle. A change in government before independence led to the current flag being adopted instead, on October 9, 1962, the day Uganda became independent. It is credited to Grace Ibingira, then Minister of Justice.
The flag has six horizontal bands of black, yellow and red, with a white disc in the center showing the grey crowned crane, facing the hoist. The colors stand for the African people (black), the sunshine of Africa (yellow) and African brotherhood (red).
The crane is known for its gentle nature and was the badge of Ugandan soldiers during British rule.
The date printed on every Uganda design in our catalog, October 9, 1962, is Independence Day.
A crane on a white disc, and a flag that chose its own colors.
Looking for a gift with a story? See our heritage gift guide, or read the story behind any other country's flag on our free Flag Stories page.