Opening Ceremony:
By Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Its not by accident that this seminar is being organized here have been told that this is the first ever regional training Seminar on intellectual property and science, technology engineering and Mathematics commonly known as (Stem).
I have also been informed that URSB worked together with WIPO and the Korean intellectual Property office in order to hold this seminar for the Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, its in order for me to request you to pass on my regards to the Director General for considering us.
It’s not by accident that Uganda is hosting this IP Seminar targeting IP education among the youth.
We’re ones of those with the youngest populations in the world.
As the saying goes, the future of any nation is built on the dreams of its young people.
Of course, there is healthy sometimes unhealthy tension between the youth and the old.
Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs,and Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira and the Deputy Registrar General of URSB Augamya Alex after the openning Ceremony.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Innovation must have a context. So, I just want to assure the young people that, it’s the duty of the State to provide a conducive environment in which you can innovate. I do not blame you when you go to the streets. You throw stones and make demands, reasonable or unreasonable. The truth is, there is no way you can innovate when the environment is not conducive. So, the government has got to ensure that there are laws protecting your innovations. You will learn what we have attempted to do here in Uganda. Recently, we brought new provisions into our Copyright law to protect our musicians.
I don’t think lady Gaga and Beyoncé would pull crowds 30 years from now. You must have means of earning even when you are not performing. And that’s why, the protection of intellectual property is very important.
Iam sure the Director of intellectual Property at URSB will tell you the commitment that the Uganda Government has right from the top, from the President to the lowest leader.
2-Develop your mind: It’s you to know what you will use with your life. You can choose to use your time usefully or uselessly.
- Your Social circles. The daily choices you make. You cannot choose brothers and sisters but you can choose friends.
- Your Spiritual dimension. Your relationship with God.
So, those are the 4 dimensions of your life that you need to focus on.
So, we hope your generation will be a generation of problem solvers. To make one acre yield more than it yields now.
For example, who is going to invent a system that will save our trees! The true innovators earn more than what any President, they earn more than any minister.
Innovate and build cheaper dams, cheaper Cars, Public transport is a menace.; See how to innovate better and cheaper things.
Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs,and Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira and the Deputy Registrar General of URSB Augamya Alex after the opening Ceremony at Protea Hotel in Kampala,Uganda.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira, Chairman of URSB Board of Directors; Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs; and Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.
The event concluded with a certificate-awarding ceremony. It was graced by dignitaries including Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira, Chairman of URSB Board of Directors; Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs; and Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.
I would like to ask the Ministry of Science, technology and innovation which is under the Office of the President to support you, the young people. They have many grants. This is a seminar organized by an Academy. You need to go to this Academy, meet the people who are experts and also see the place. Be I wish you to be successful. I wish to assure you that you are on the front line in the same way that your ancestors were on the frontline of liberating Africa from the parasitic colonialists. You are on the front line to liberate the minds of Africa to think that the African idea is inferior. I think the Vaccine for that its here.
Finally,I argue you to make the most of this seminar. Share your experiences,learn from one another and return as champions of innovation and intellectual property educationalists.
Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs while opening the Seminar officially at Protea Hotel in Kampala,Uganda.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs (R) with the Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira at the opening Ceremony at Protea Hotel in Kampala,Uganda.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The Deputy Registrar General of URSB Alex Anganya addressing Participants at the openning Ceremony at Protea Kampala,Uganda.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Dr. James Kisawe the advisor to the Minister for Science, innovation and technology in the office of the President at Protea Hotel in Kampala,Uganda.
The Deputy Registrar General of URSB Alex Anganya addressing Participants at the opening Ceremony at Protea Kampala,Uganda.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
My name is Dr James Kisawe and I work as the advisor to the Minister for Science, innovation and technology in the office of the President.
Hon Minister, this training would not have come at a better time than this.
As the Ministry of Science and technology, we want to applaud the efforts of URSB working hand in hand with WIPO to ensure that they bring us to a round table where we can have a conversation on a very important aspect that touches our daily lives and that’s the IP component within our education especially looking at Science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
I wish this particular conversation had come much earlier than it has come today because as I look around especially within the community of scientists, its so strange to see many Scientists poor.
With all the ideas that they have, that would make them very rich. Hon. Minister, if only, they would integrate the idea of IP within the work that they do.
As the Ministry for Science and technology and innovation, our overall mandate is ready to coordinate this entire eco system of Science, technology and innovation and therefore, this conversation is music to our ears because we believe that this is part of the missing component within what we call the idea to market journey when you are talking about innovation.
Innovation cannot be complete without the aspect of market.
And why iam saying many of our scientists are poor including myself because previously we have been looking at catching up with ideas and stopping at the portal type stage. Many of us in the room are very familiar right now about one of our famous innovations in Uganda and that’s of Kiira Motors.
But if you look at the journey of Kiira Motors way back in 2007 when they concealed this idea which was a partnership between Makerere University and MIT University in the US, now later on, in 2009, they came up with an idea of developing an electric vehicle. In 2011 which our dear President commissioned.
So, the President entered it and went ahead to launch it, am telling you, the Story could have ended when he launched this Vehicle call it the pilot project. People got worried expecting all this to end here. They didn’t expect it to even move. He later on got interested and developed this project. As we talk now,they have now come up with more than 5000 buses.
So, iam very confident that this training is very important and I can promise that we are going to work together with the Ministry of Education and Uganda Registration Services Bureau to ensure that this whole aspect of IP is fully embedded in our education Curicurrum and as the Ministry, were looking forward to supporting the innovations that are going to be coming from our young people in Schools.We have funding to support innovators.
The Representative of Wipo:
Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
This Seminar is not just a knowledge sharing or skills building gathering but an opportunity of expanding our network for each other strengthening regional collaborations and bridge the gaps together. Use what is recreated and not reinvent the wheel.
In conclusion, I want to encourage active participation but also want to underscore that its time to bring IP education for sake of our ourselves and our youth in Africa.
Board Chairman URSB: Rt.Hon. Ambassador Canon Francis Butagira:
First of all, I would like to thank the organizers of this Seminar who made sure that this workshop has taken place.
We are empowered to administer IP in Uganda.
. Now, as you know, we are moving towards a knowledge based economy. As you may know, our ancestors were innovators but with the coming of colonialists, they spoilt things. I remember when were young, catapults were being made.
By Rita Mukisa/KMA Updates
Closing Ceremony:
KAMPALA, Uganda, May 2025— Educators from seven African countries converged in Kampala for a three-day intensive training workshop aimed at integrating Intellectual Property (IP) education into African school curricula. The event, held from May 28–30, 2025, at Protea Hotel, was organized by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and supported by the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).
Participants were from Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Ghana, and Botswana, and represented various disciplines including STEM, innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational policy. The workshop sought to empower educators to embed creativity and intellectual property awareness into the classroom, fostering a culture of innovation among Africa’s youth.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, Ms. Atlaye Tedla Desta, Director at WIPO Academy, emphasized the transformative potential of IP education. “IP education is the key to unlocking our human capital. Africa’s youthful population is its greatest advantage. But unless we protect their innovations, we are losing our future to others,” she noted.
Participants taking part in the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants taking part in the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
A guest is seen facilitating the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants taking part in the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants taking part in the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Participants taking part in the Seminar.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Awarding of Certificates to the Participants.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Echoing her sentiments, Mr. Leonid Chechurin, a TRIZ expert from Finland and researcher from LUT University, called on educators to rethink traditional teaching methods and adopt solution-driven, collaborative, and creative approaches. “Our learners need 21st-century competencies. That means being flexible and ready to unlearn and relearn, to truly solve the problems facing their communities,” he said.
Participants engaged in hands-on sessions exploring how to implement STEM, entrepreneurship, and IP certification programs in schools. They also tackled the challenge of translating the knowledge gained into tangible change through teacher training, curriculum development, and policy advocacy.
Lina Simpson Mbewe, Principal Education Standards Officer in Zambia’s Ministry of Education, shared how the training impacted her personally and professionally. “This training has opened my eyes. As a writer, I never understood my rights. Now I know how to protect my work and empower others to do the same,” she said.
Commissioner for Intellectual Property at URSB, Mr. Benson Agaba, encouraged educators to take the transformation one step at a time. “Change won’t be easy, but it starts with one student at a time. We must believe in the innovation of every boy and girl — they are the seeds of tomorrow’s transformation,” he said. He also affirmed URSB’s commitment to working closely with Uganda’s Ministry of Education to embed IP education into the national curriculum.
URSB, mandated to register intellectual property in Uganda, plays a key role in encouraging innovation by protecting copyrights, patents, trademarks, utility models, and industrial designs. However, challenges persist due to low public awareness, limited enforcement capacity, and widespread piracy of creative works such as music, literature, architecture, and software.
The training was seen as a timely intervention to boost national and continental efforts in protecting innovation, creating job opportunities, and fueling economic growth in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
The event concluded with a certificate-awarding ceremony. It was graced by dignitaries including Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira, Chairman of URSB Board of Directors; Hon. Nobert Mao, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs; and Ms. Altaye Tedla Desta of WIPO Academy.