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 side.
Thenational flag ofUganda (bendera ya Uganda) was adopted on 9 October 1962, the day that the nation became independent from theBritish Empire. It consists of six equal horizontal bands of black, yellow, and red from top to bottom. A white disc is superimposed at the centre and depicts the national symbol, agrey crowned crane, facing the hoist's side.
During the colonial era, the British used aBlue Ensign that wasdefaced 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]
Flag of the UPC until 1966, on which the national flag of Uganda is based
When theDemocratic 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 electedUganda 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 theCollege of Arms, in London.[citation needed]
The three colours are representative ofnative 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] Thegrey crowned crane is fabled for its gentle nature and was also the military badge of Ugandan soldiers duringBritish rule. The raised leg of the crane symbolises the forward movement of the country.[4]
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