Uganda Cowries

The Uganda Cowries, also known as the Uganda Missionaries, were the first adhesive postage stamps of Uganda. Because there was no printing press in Uganda the stamps were made on a typewriter by Rev. E. Millar of the Church Missionary Society, in March 1895, at the request of C. Wilson, an official of the Imperial British East Africa Company. After Millar received a much-needed new ribbon, the color of the typewritten characters changed from black to a violet color. The stamps were valid for postage within the Kingdom of Buganda; in adjoining kingdoms and provinces they were used only for communications between officials of the Church Missionary Society.^[1]
The values of the stamps varied, but all were denominated in cowries (monetary seashells), at 200 cowries per rupee or 12½ cowries = 1d. The design was simple, showing just the initials of the jurisdiction and a number for the denomination. The paper used was extremely thin. The stamps have been forged.^[2] Only a small number of the genuine stamps seem to have survived.^[3] Pen initialed, surcharged values exist; of these Robson Lowe commented, "All are rare. We do not recall selling a copy in over 25 years."^[4]
Wilson's embryonic postal system for Uganda commenced operations on March 20, 1895. A single letter box was set up in Kampala, at Wilson's office, offering twice-daily letter service to Entebbe and Gayaza for postage of 10 cowries. Other destinations had different rates. For addresses beyond Entebbe or Gayaza the mails were collected less frequently. Letters with European addresses were dispatched once a month, and they arrived at their destinations some three months later.

Hands

Uganda Missionaries
A pair of Uganda Missionaries showing a typed-over correction by Millar.
Country of production	British Protectorate of Uganda
Location of production	Kampala, Kingdom of Buganda
Date of production	March 14, 1895
Nature of rarity	Very rare 1
Estimated existence	Unknown
Face value	50 cowries
Estimated value	>£2,000.00 / pair

tamp of Unyoro on a cover addressed to Bishop Arthur Tucker

 

Uganda Missionaries
A pair of Uganda Missionaries showing a typed-over correction by Millar.
Country of production	British Protectorate of Uganda
Location of production	Kampala, Kingdom of Buganda
Date of production	March 14, 1895
Nature of rarity	Very rare 1
Estimated existence	Unknown
Face value	50 cowries
Estimated value	>£2,000.00 / pair