Who is the custodian of national symbols?
Nov 03, 2005
SIR — While walking on the street the other day, I saw on sale “Citizen identity cards†complete with the likeness of the Uganda national emblem.
SIR — While walking on the street the other day, I saw on sale “Citizen identity cards†complete with the likeness of the Uganda national emblem. I closely examined the specimen which purported to certify that the woul-be holder was a citizen of Uganda born and resident in such and such a location described by county, district and other details. The cards do not bear the identity of the authority under whom they are produced, but provide space for the signature of an LC 1 chairman as the issuing official. I know that nature abhors a vacuum and some clever and enterprising people are cashing in on the absence of a national identity card.
I personally do not think that a national identity card is a necessity. So, my concern is not about people selling identity cards per se but about the indiscriminate use of official insignia by all and sundry.
And this was not the first time for me to witness the unofficial use of national symbols. I recall some time ago, I was offered a flyer of a private company advertising some function at Munyonyo and it too, bore the national emblem in complete colour. I have a number of questions. Who may or may not use these instruments of statehood? Is it that since they belong to Uganda they are for all Ugandans to use or misuse as they please? Is official permission required for using them? Who is their official custodian? Is there a standard for them, set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards in respect, for example, of relativesize of colour bands in the flag, colour shades and stance of the different elements? Should the crested crane face right or left? Which of its legs in the flag should be straight and which one raised, and at what angle? How about the kob....? Is it any wonder that we hear so often of impostors arresting people?
H.G.K. Nyakoojo Kampala
I personally do not think that a national identity card is a necessity. So, my concern is not about people selling identity cards per se but about the indiscriminate use of official insignia by all and sundry.
And this was not the first time for me to witness the unofficial use of national symbols. I recall some time ago, I was offered a flyer of a private company advertising some function at Munyonyo and it too, bore the national emblem in complete colour. I have a number of questions. Who may or may not use these instruments of statehood? Is it that since they belong to Uganda they are for all Ugandans to use or misuse as they please? Is official permission required for using them? Who is their official custodian? Is there a standard for them, set by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards in respect, for example, of relativesize of colour bands in the flag, colour shades and stance of the different elements? Should the crested crane face right or left? Which of its legs in the flag should be straight and which one raised, and at what angle? How about the kob....? Is it any wonder that we hear so often of impostors arresting people?
H.G.K. Nyakoojo Kampala