Uganda

The Ugandan Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 marks a significant step in modernising Uganda’s intellectual property laws to better protect creators and innovators. Introduced by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao, the bill aims to strengthen copyright protections, particularly for musicians and artists, ensuring fair compensation for their work. […]

The celebration of World Intellectual Property Day in Uganda also marked the official establishment of the Directorate of Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, situated at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). The theme of World Intellectual Property Day, 2025 was “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”. This theme closely aligns with the goals of […]

The guidelines, which were created with help from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and regional partners, aim to empower Ugandan innovators by offering a detailed structure for the management and commercialization of their intellectual property were [aptly] published on [Valentine’s Day] 14 February 2025. The guidelines focus on the registration of unique software and […]

This two-day URSB workshop focused on improving the management of digital rights. International best practices for digital rights management were discussed in sessions led by WIPO and ARIPO specialists, and panel discussions focused on the use of digital platforms for efficient collective rights management. The workshop also included an analysis of Uganda’s current legal frameworks, […]

The Ugandan Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in collaboration with key partners, has launched the ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines to protect and commercialise innovation in Uganda’s rapidly growing technology sector. The Guidelines were developed under the UJ-Connect initiative with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Ministry of Justice, Uganda Registration […]

The African Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) together with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) held the inaugural conference on Women in Intellectual Property in Kampala, Uganda. The 3 day conference, which took place between 28- 30 August 2024, hosted guests and speakers from several ARIPO countries. Notable speakers included Bemanya Twebaze, the Director General of […]

In 2004, Benson & Hedges (Overseas) Limited filed an opposition against the registration of trade mark application UG/T/2004/039465 B&H in class 9. Benson & Hedges based its opposition on the local and international reputation vesting in the BENSON & HEDGES trade marks, including the B&H trade marks. It alleged, in effect, that its trade marks […]

On 3rd July 2024, a public stakeholder meeting was held over the Anti Counterfeit Bill in Kampala. The Anti Counterfeit Bill, 2023 is a Private Members Bill, that is, introduced by a Member of Parliament of Uganda and not the Government. The meeting was attended by government agencies such as the Uganda Police Force, Uganda […]

What previously took between 10 to 15 business working days to register a company in Uganda, has now been reduced to 3 hours. The launch of the Online Business Registration System (OBRS) by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and National Guidance and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau is a significant step toward streamlining and […]

On 8 and 9 February 2024, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) organised a two-day training seminar which included a number of participants such as musicians, authors, publishers, producers, comedians, academia, and collective management organizations, to name a few. Mercy Kainobwisho, The Registrar General of the URSB, emphasised […]

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), convened a comprehensive two-day training seminar on ‘collective management operations and licensing practices’ on 8 and 9 February 2024. This hybrid event brought together a diverse array of participants including musicians, authors, publishers, producers, comedians, academia, and collective management organizations. […]

Following a stakeholder engagement meeting with the USRB and the Ugandan Government Printer (responsible for publishing trade mark applications under the new Trade Mark Regulations), the trade mark publication fees have been increased from USD80 to USD100 with immediate effect. This fee, however, may vary according to the length of the specification of goods/services. Typesetting […]

On 13 December 2023, a pivotal stakeholder validation meeting at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau discussed the outcomes of consultations, principles, and the draft Bill aimed at amending the Copyright and Neighbouring Rights Act, 2006. Recognizing the evolving landscape of technology and emerging practices, the proposed amendments seek to address several crucial aspects not addressed […]

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is in the process of obtaining Geographical Indications (GI) status for its shea butter products that originate in Northern Uganda. Shea butter, a fat extract from the Vitellaria Nilotica species of tree, is a popular and sought after beauty product used in moisturisers, hair products and cosmetics world-wide. WIPO […]

Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP). Uganda capped off its National Intellectual Property Week by highlighting the strides it has taken to broaden the protection afforded to intellectual property (IP) in the last few decades and the […]

From 23 to 24 February 2023, WIPO, in collaboration with Uganda Registration Services Bureau and ARIPO, held a national workshop on intellectual property for small and medium enterprises in Uganda, Kampala. The aim of the workshop was to bring awareness to the participants on the role of intellectual property as an effective tool in driving […]