Ugandan flag designer demands payment

KAMPALA, Uganda, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- A Ugandan man is asking a court to stop the country from flying its flag until he has been paid for the 48-year-old design.

Semei Matia Nyai, 80, is asking a court to force the government to pay him $684,000 for designing the flag when Uganda became independent of Britain in 1962, Radio France Internationale reported Monday.

Nyai's lawsuit is also asking for housing and a car, court papers revealed.

The retired school teacher said he never received any payment or recognition for designing the banner, which was selected by officials from public submissions and made the national flag in October 1962.

"The flag should not be flown until they pay me," Nyai said.