WIPO Director General Daren Tang concluded a two-day visit to Uganda on December 5, 2025, with commitments to help the East African nation leverage intellectual property (IP) rights to commercialize its distinctive cultural assets - from the ancient art of barkcloth making to its prized coffee, shea butter and vanilla exports - while strengthening the country's broader innovation ecosystem.
During meetings, Mr. Tang pledged WIPO’s support to review and update Uganda's National IP Policy and Strategy and expand the country's network of 37 technology and innovation support centers (TISCs), which provide researchers and entrepreneurs with access to patent databases and IP services. The visit highlighted Uganda's push to use IP as a development tool across multiple sectors and support a new generation of innovators developing solutions in agriculture, clean water and environmental technology. Uganda has the second youngest population in the world, with 78% of citizens under the age of 35.
Kampala engagements
- Discussed with Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao the importance of a whole-of-government approach to strengthening the country’s innovation ecosystem and how IP can further support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), women and youth in the country. Pledged WIPO’s support to review and update the National IP Policy and Strategy and provide IP training through the WIPO Academy.
- Engaged with Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka on IP commercialization and how IP can help Ugandans benefit from their creative, innovative and entrepreneurial capacity, as well as their traditional knowledge and cultural heritage.
- Visited the Ministry for Science, Technology and Innovation and met with Minister Justine Kasule Lumumba from the Office of the Prime Minister. Discussed the importance of TISCs in the future of technology transfer and IP commercialization in the country, as well as support for the country’s GII Taskforce.
- Visited the Uganda Registration Services Bureau and met with Registrar General Mercy Kainobwisho, as well as entrepreneurs using IP to promote local products such as coffee and barkcloth, and students from IP school clubs who presented their projects on topics such as air purification, drip irrigation and wastewater treatment.
