Pictorial

Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines Launch

The Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines which complement the existing legal frameworks aim to empower Ugandan innovators by providing them with the knowledge and resources necessary to protect and commercialize their IP.

byNathan Ernest Olupot

February 15, 2025

A signed cardboard of the launched Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines.

The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the UJ-Connect Project, officially launched the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines today. This comes after the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Aminah Zawedde signed the Guidelines into effect earlier this month during the 4th Joint Coordination Committee meeting.

Developed in partnership with JICA, the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), and KTA Advocates, to mention but a few, the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines which complement the existing legal frameworks aim to empower Ugandan innovators in the ICT sector by providing them with the knowledge and resources necessary to protect and commercialize their intellectual property.

Here are some of the pictorials from the dissemination.

Moses Watasa, the Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance speaking at the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub on Friday, February 14th, 2025. PHOTO: PC Tech Magazine

Amos Mpungu, Principal ICT Officer at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

James Lubwamwa, Manager of Patents and Industrial Design at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Officials from the Ministry of ICT, Ministry of Trade, JICA, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, KTA Advocates, ICTAU, and other private firms attending the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Some of the attendees at the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Patrick Joram Mugisha, Commissioner Business at the Ministry of Trade speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Sunbird AI’s Executive Director, Dr. Ernest Mwebaze speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Ken Stober, Director of Simplifi Networks speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Kenneth Muhangi, Partner at KTA Advocates speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Pius Tweheyo speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Sarah Bisamunyu; Intellectual Property Administor at UIRI speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025. — Sarah Bisamunyu; Intellectual Property Administrator at UIRI speaking during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Ambrose Ruyoka (center); Assistant Commissioner of Research and Development at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance reading a booklet of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines.

Ambrose Ruyoka (left); Assistant Commissioner of Research and Development at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Moses Watasa (right); the Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance have firm hand shake after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub on Friday, February 14th, 2025. PHOTO: PC Tech Magazine — Ambrose Ruyoka (left); Assistant Commissioner of Research and Development at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Moses Watasa (right); the Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance have a firm handshake after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub on Friday, February 14th, 2025. PHOTO: PC Tech Magazine

Yamashita Hideshi; Senior Representative of JICA in Uganda gives closing remarks during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Satoko Tsunoda, Expert at JICA Uganda Office taking a photo with her smartphone during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Kimie Tanabe, JICA Consultant taking notes during the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Attendees bore down for a prayer at the closing session of the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025. — Attendees bow down for a prayer at the closing session of the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

ICTAU Chairperson, Nkurunungi Gideon (right) shares a light moment with Ambrose Ruyoka (left); Assistant Commissioner of Research and Development at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

(L-R): Kimie Tanabe; JICA Consultant, Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa; Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, and ICTAU Chairperson, Nkurunungi Gideon pose for a group photo after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (2nd from left); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance poses with a some attendees hold a booklet of the launched Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines.

(L-R): Sarah Bisamunyu; Intellectual Property Administor at UIRI, Kimie Tanabe (2nd from right); JICA Consultant, and Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (right); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance pose for a group photo after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025. — (L-R): Sarah Bisamunyu; Intellectual Property Administrator at UIRI, Kimie Tanabe (2nd from right); JICA Consultant, and Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (right); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance pose for a group photo after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (left); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Patrick Joram Mugisha (right); Commissioner of Business at Ministry of Trade shake hands in front of signed cardboard of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines. — Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (left); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Patrick Joram Mugisha (right); Commissioner of Business at the Ministry of Trade shake hands in front of signed cardboard of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines.

A laptop display a presentation of the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025. — A laptop displays a presentation of the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

ICTAU Chairperson, Nkurunungi Gideon (center) speaking to Ken Stober (right), Director of Simplifi Networks, and another attendee after the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Ms. Shirley Gladys Nakyejwa (right); Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance and Ms. Sandra Kiwanuka (left) Administrative Associate at the Ministry of ICT pose for a photo after the the launch of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines at the National ICT Innovation Hub in Nakawa on Friday, February 14, 2025.

The National ICT Innovation Hub signage seen at the hub's reception. — The National ICT Innovation Hub signage is seen at the hub’s reception.

Ultimately, the ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines signal the country’s ambition to become a regional tech hub—something that the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr. Chris Chris Baryomunsi, has always emphasized. The initiative promises to unlock the sector’s potential by shielding innovators from exploitation and encouraging commercialization, driving job creation, investment, and equitable economic progress.

The guidelines are more than a policy—they are a “tool for transformation,” ensuring Uganda’s digital revolution benefits its people and resonates globally.