Africa Update 2020 – Uganda
Registry Visit
In December 2019, Adams & Adams Partner, Nishan Singh, attended a mediation hearing for a trade mark infringement matter filed at the Commercial Court in Kampala. He was accompanied by representatives from our associated firm. After the hearing, Singh visited the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and met with the Manager of IP, Mr. Gilbert Agaba, to discuss Registry operations and outstanding matters.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES & CONCERNS
Opportunities
- New oil deposits can start energy industry development
- Uganda has a well-developed, sound and well-regulated banking system which compares favourably with other developing countries in the world.
- Productive agricultural land is being targeted by government for sustainable commercial farming
Concerns
- President Museveni’s long hold on power is retained at the expense of political and speech freedoms
- Government corruption a problem for investors
- Inadequate electricity supply is hindering national development

Nishan Singh
There’s no smoke without combustibles
Following the adoption of the motion of desirability in June this year, the Portfolio Committee on Health commenced its section-by-section deliberations on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery...
September 09 2026
Respecting the Lens, Part 2: Why "I Didn't Know I Needed Permission" Is Not a Copyright Defence
Last year, in our article Respecting the Lens: Copyright Infringement and the Rights of Photographers in South Africa, we addressed a common misconception encountered in copyright enforcement matters:...
August 28 2026
The Trade Mark That Refused to Die: Deadwood or Zombie?
The Case of Altron Ltd v Tracker (Pty) Ltd Pretoria High Court, 2026 A trade mark unused for almost ten years might ordinarily be destined for removal. Yet in Altron v Tracker, residual reputation hel...
August 27 2026

