Flag of Uganda

The flag of Uganda (Ugandan languages: Bendera ya Uganda) was adopted on 9 October 1962, the date that Uganda became independent from the British Empire. It consists of six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red (bottom); a white disc is superimposed at the centre and depicts the national symbol, a grey crowned crane, facing the hoist's side.

Republic of Uganda
UseNational flag and ensign
Proportion2:3
Adopted9 October 1962 (1962-10-09)
DesignSix equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red (bottom); a white disc is superimposed at the centre and depicts the national symbol, a grey crowned crane, facing the hoist side.
Designed byGrace Ibingira
The flag flying behind the flag of Malaysia, over Uganda House – the High Commission to the United Kingdom, Trafalgar Square, London.

During the colonial era, the British used a Blue Ensign that was defaced with the colonial badge, as prescribed in 1865 regulations. Buganda, the largest of the traditional kingdoms in the colony of Uganda, had its own flag.[1] However, in order to avoid appearing to give preference to one region of the colony over any other, the British colonial authorities selected the crane emblem for use on the Blue ensign and other official banners.[2]

History

When the Democratic Party ruled the country, it proposed a flag design with vertical stripes of green-blue-green, separated by narrower yellow stripes, and in the centre the silhouette of a yellow crane. After the party lost the national elections on 25 April 1962, the newly elected Uganda People's Congress (UPC) rejected the former design and instead proposed the current design. It was based on the UPC flag, a tricolour having horizontal strips of red, yellow and black. The British administration gave its approval to the new flag before the country's independence.[2] The flag was designed by C. Todd, Professor of Fine Art at Makerere University. He also designed the Uganda Coat of Arms and various ceremonial items, which he registered with the College of Arms, in London.

Features on the Uganda flag

The three colours are representative of native ethnic groups of Africa (black), Africa's sunshine (yellow), and African brotherhood (red being the colour of blood, through which all Africans are connected).[3] 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 symbolises the forward movement of the country.[4]

Other flags
  • Flag of the Uganda Protectorate (1914 – March 1962)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Uganda Protectorate (1914 – March 1962)
  • Standard of the governor of Uganda (1914 – March 1962)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Standard of the governor of Uganda (1914 – March 1962)
  • Unofficial flag (March – October 9, 1962)
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Unofficial flag (March – October 9, 1962)
  • Presidential standard of Uganda
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Presidential standard of Uganda

Military flags

  • Flag of the Uganda People's Defence Force
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Uganda People's Defence Force
  • Flag of the Uganda People's Defence Air Force
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Flag of the Uganda People's Defence Air Force

References
  1. "Buganda (Uganda)". FOTW Flags Of The World website. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  2. "flag of Uganda". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  3. Uganda at Flags of the World
  4. "Uganda National Symbols". Uganda Mission. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
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