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.
Announced on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Moses Watasa, the Commissioner for Information and Communication at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance noted that the guidelines address critical challenges faced by creators of hardware, software, applications, etc., particularly piracy and illegal distribution. “A lot of these [innovations] have been under threat of piracy, reproducing, and illegal distribution,” he emphasized, underscoring the urgency of safeguarding the intellectual property (IP) of innovators in the country’s fast-evolving ICT landscape.
“Developing the guidelines has been a lengthy and intricate process, and we are proud to officially introduce them,” said Watasa.
The guidelines aim to foster a vibrant ecosystem of innovation by encouraging the development of high-level ICT solutions. This includes original inventions and adaptations of external technologies, ensuring a dynamic exchange of ideas and practices. In doing so, the guidelines emphasize adherence to best practices and industry standards for domestically created and adapted solutions, thereby raising the quality and reliability of the technological advancements within the sector.
A critical aspect of the guidelines is the safeguarding of IP rights for all innovators, including those who adopt or adapt foreign technologies, which is essential for fostering a secure and motivating atmosphere for creative endeavors. Ultimately, by enabling the commercialization of these innovations, the guidelines pave the way for generating income through the strategic exploitation of intellectual property in the marketplace, thereby reinforcing the economic potential of ICT advancements.
The guidelines outline the Ministry’s approach to managing, owning, and commercializing IP Rights (IPR) in contracts between contractors and suppliers. They emphasize registering unique product innovations, including software and hardware, with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
A key focus of the initiative is empowering Uganda’s youth, who dominate the innovation ecosystem. With over 80% of the population under 30, Watasa highlighted the guidelines’ role in enabling young entrepreneurs to monetize their work. “We commercialize their innovations so they earn from them, creating even more jobs.” This approach incentivizes creativity and addresses youth unemployment by positioning ICT as a driver of job creation and enterprise development.
Economically, the guidelines aim to attract investment into Uganda’s ICT sector. Uganda seeks to amplify its reputation as a “highly viable country for investment,” channeling resources into a sector pivotal to national development by assuring investors and innovators of legal protections.
The Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines apply to all individuals and entities that develop innovations and applications for the government and the public, either to solve a specific need or following financial support from the Ministry, at all stages of the Intellectual Property (IP) Value Chain. This encompasses the entire innovation life cycle, from generation to protection, utilization, and enforcement.
Although the dates haven’t been revealed, the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance will physically host dissemination workshops nationwide further to educate stakeholders on the Uganda ICT IP Guidelines.
“We are going to move around the country and disseminate this further. We are going to work through various platforms to ensure that these guidelines are fully appreciated right to the last man,” Watasa said during his closing remarks.
The development process of the guidelines, described by Watasa as “a long journey,” reflects Uganda’s commitment to inclusive policymaking. The guidelines balance legal rigor with practical relevance to innovators’ needs by engaging cross-sector stakeholders.
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.
