Uganda is hosting a landmark visit from the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Director General, Daren Tang, from December 3rd to 5th, 2025. This high-level mission underscores a major development: Intellectual Property (IP) is transitioning from a regulatory function to a central pillar of Uganda’s long-term economic transformation.
The visit, spearheaded by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), aims to deepen collaboration, drive necessary reforms, and position Ugandan creativity at the heart of the global IP conversation.
“As the national IP office, URSB is proud to lead this historic engagement,” said Registrar General Mercy K. Kainobwisho.
“We look forward to showcasing the strides we have made, from expanding IP awareness to nurturing innovation in schools and across industries,” she added.
Redefining Intellectual Property
Since taking office in 2020, Mr. Tang has championed a philosophy that views IP not just as an administrative tool, but as a catalyst for jobs, enterprise growth, and social development. His forward-looking approach emphasises the following:
Inclusiveness and Accessibility: Ensuring IP is accessible to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), youth, women, and grassroots innovators.
Commercialisation: Translating creative and scientific outputs into tangible socio-economic value.
Capacity Building: Strengthening local skills and systems to manage and leverage IP effectively.
Mr. Tang’s vision recognises a fundamental economic shift. As he noted in a recent address, “Sometimes the most powerful forces are unseen. One of the great economic shifts in recent times is the quiet revolution in value creation from tangible assets to intangible ones like brands, designs, software, and data.” His presence in Kampala provides a vivid opportunity to bring this vision to life.
URSB Leads the Transformation
The URSB, as the national IP office, is utilising the visit to showcase national progress and launch key programs, among them the IP in Schools Program.
This initiative, launched during Mr. Tang’s visit, is crucial for spotting and nurturing creativity early. It includes School Innovation Exhibitions, spotlighting young innovators in fields like robotics and agritech.
Ms. Kainobwisho stated, “This mission will deepen our collaboration with WIPO and accelerate Uganda’s journey toward an innovation-driven economy,” adding, “Uganda is no longer on the sidelines of the global IP conversation.”
She noted that Mr. Tang’s visit strongly reinforces the URSB’s strategic direction, particularly its Strategic Plan IV (2025/26–2029/30), which aims at “Positioning Uganda as the Best Destination for Doing Business.”
URSB Board Chairman Francis K. Butagira affirmed this commitment to the business environment, saying, “We are committed to creating an environment where investors, innovators, and entrepreneurs can thrive. This plan is about formalising opportunity and driving transformation.”
Strategic Significance for Uganda’s Future
The WIPO Director General’s mission is expected to yield concrete benefits by significantly strengthening Uganda’s innovation ecosystem through;
Strengthened Institutional Framework: Catalysing necessary legal and institutional reforms.
Accelerated Commercialisation: Attracting the technical assistance needed to speed up the translation of scientific and creative outputs into market-ready products.
Mobilising Finance: Opening doors for IP-based financing and global partnerships.
As Mr. Tang noted, the visit signals WIPO’s commitment to making IP relevant, concrete and visible for all. Uganda stands at the peak of a transformation, where creativity, innovation, and IP are becoming central pillars of economic and social development, securing its place as a compelling destination for global investors seeking a stable, efficient, and forward-looking business environment.