WIPO Director General’s visit pushes Intellectual Property to center of Uganda’s economy

KAMPALA, Uganda — Uganda is positioning intellectual property, or IP, as a central driver of its national economic strategy following the landmark visit of World Intellectual Property Organization Director General Daren Tang.

Tang’s mission to Kampala, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 5, underscored the nation’s commitment to utilizing its creative and innovative outputs for long-term economic transformation. The visit is viewed as a major catalyst for reforms intended to make IP accessible and relevant across all economic sectors.

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau, or URSB, the nation’s IP office, spearheaded key engagements. These included high-level meetings with government leaders and the launch of the “IP in Schools” Program, designed to nurture innovation among young Ugandans.

“Uganda is no longer on the sidelines of the global IP conversation,” said Registrar General Mercy K. Kainobwisho. “We are building a modern, future-ready ecosystem that supports innovators, researchers and young creators. WIPO’s presence affirms that momentum.”

Since 2020, Tang has redefined WIPO’s mandate, shifting its focus from being a mere administrator of rights to acting as a catalyst for enterprise growth, job creation and social development. Tang champions using IP as a concrete tool for economic empowerment, especially for youth, women, small- and medium-sized enterprises and local communities.

His approach aligns with a quiet but powerful global economic shift, where value is increasingly created from intangible assets such as brands, designs, software and data. Tang’s visit aims to help Uganda turn its creativity into concrete socio-economic impact.

The WIPO Director General’s presence is expected to accelerate several key national goals. The visit is poised to catalyze legal and institutional reforms that will speed up the commercialization of scientific and creative outputs, helping innovators turn their ideas into profitable businesses. The engagement also seeks to attract technical assistance and mobilize IP-based financing, enabling innovators to use their registered intellectual assets as collateral or for investment purposes.

The “IP in Schools” Program and student innovation exhibitions aim to build a strong pipeline of future creators who understand how to protect and monetize their ideas. The visit is timely, reinforcing Uganda’s reputation as a fertile ground for creativity and a compelling destination for investors who seek a stable and forward-looking business environment.

URSB Board Chairman Francis K. Butagira said the visit reinforces the goals of the bureau’s new Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, which is squarely aimed at “Positioning Uganda as the Best Destination for Doing Business.”

“We are committed to creating an environment where investors, innovators and entrepreneurs can thrive,” Butagira stated.

Tang’s presence signals WIPO’s commitment to making IP “relevant, concrete and visible for all,” ensuring that this economic tool becomes central to the lives of grassroots innovators and local communities across Uganda.