Jubilee: Standardized flag unveiled

By Patrick Jaramogi

As Uganda celebrates golden jubilee, the National standards Council has unveiled the official standardized national flag.

The launch of the flag at the Uganda National Bureau of Standards offices on Monday marks an end to 50 years of counterfeiting of the flag.

The National Standards Council is the governing body of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) whose primary role is the declaration of national standards.

 “Over a period of time, the National Standards Council realized that the national flag was being produced with different specifications yet it is a national symbol that should be cherished and have uniformity,” said Dr. William Ssali the council chairman. He said the council had launched the specifications of the Uganda flag which is US1: 2001.

“Anybody intending to produce the national flag will henceforth follow these laid out specifications either when making flags for internal or external use,” he said.

The compilation of the standards was undertaken by a team of national experts drawn from Parliament, UNBS, Makerere and Kyambogo Universities, Ministries of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Public Service, Phoenix Logistics, Uganda Industrial Research institute, Uganda Museum, Consumer Education Trust and the Government analytical laboratories.

Dr. Ben Manyindo the UNBS chief said most flags on display including government offices are substandard. “The standard flag must have six horizontal strips of equal width coloured from top to bottom black, yellow and red with a crested crane in a white background standing on one leg facing the pole,” said Manyindo. He said the standards body was yet to come up with penalties for offenders.

 Prof Eriabu Lugujjo said following the unveiling of the standards flag, all Ugandan embassies abroad will be required to renew their flags. “It is sad that most embassies have very old flags. They can reproduce from anywhere but follow the required standards,” said Lugujjo.

Prof Richard Odoi Adome the head of the technical team said it is unfortunate that the national flag that was designed following an act of Parliament 50 years didn’t have well laid down standards.

Dr. Moses Musazi a council member urged members of the public to ensure that the flags they have in their possessions meets the standards.

Hajat Sarah Lubega Babirye the council vice chairperson said as Ugandans celebrate 50 years, they should realize that the national flag as standard specifications that should be used and followed.