Ugandan law protects intellectual property rights, but the government rarely enforces laws aimed at preventing piracy and the distribution of counterfeit goods. While the URSB provides a standardized process for registering each type of intellectual property and allows investors to enforce their rights through the court system, enforcement remains weak. Uganda signed the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) Patent Law Treaty in 2000 but has yet to ratify it. Uganda is not listed on the United States Trade Representative Special 301 report or on the notorious market report. In August 2021, Uganda did adopt the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)’s draft protocol on regional voluntary registration of Copyright and Related Rights. The Protocol was adopted by ARIPO member countries with the aim of ensuring African creators benefit from their creative works.
For additional information about treaty obligations and points of contact at local IP offices, please see WIPO’s country profiles at WIPO – Country Profiles.
In any foreign market companies should consider several general principles for effective protection of their intellectual property. For background, please visit the following links: Protecting Intellectual Property and Stopfakes.gov for more resources.
To access Uganda’s ICS, which includes information on the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights, visit the U.S. Department of State Investment Climate Statement website.
IP Attaché Contact Information:
Address: Plot 1577, Ggaba Road
Telephone: +256-414-306102
E-mail: CommercialKampala@state.gov
For more information, contact the International Trade Administration’s Office of Intellectual Property Rights: