Minister Barugahara urges youth on innovations

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Youth and children affairs minister Balaam Barugahara has encouraged youth innovators to ensure their innovations and creative works are registered in order to protect them from infringement.

He made the remarks while launching the “UGYouth4IP” strategy at the Uganda Business Facilitation Center in Kololo, Kampala, on April 9, 2025.

The strategy aims to encourage young people to prioritise Intellectual Property (IP) and innovation as tools for personal and national development, according to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

“Youth are a reservoir of creativity and entrepreneurship. Equipping them with the tools and knowledge to protect their innovations, create value and drive inclusive economic growth is part of government’s wider plan to tap into the enormous talent of Uganda’s sizeable young population,” he said.

He applauded URSB for spearheading a timely programme to position young Ugandans as critical contributors to Uganda’s innovation and development agenda.

The UGYouth4IP initiative, a strategic youth-focused campaign by URSB, is intended to promote innovation and youth skills development through IP education and awareness.

Targeting university students, young professionals, content creators, innovators, and creatives, the campaign seeks to bridge the existing knowledge gap on IP and encourage youth to appreciate, protect, and commercialise their innovative ideas.

Barugahara highlighted that Uganda’s youthful population (78% under 30) is both an opportunity for innovation and a challenge if not engaged in productive work.

He urged the youth to actively engage in discussions around Uganda’s IP policy, participate in initiatives like this, and take advantage of the resources available to them.

The URSB board chairman, Francis Butagira, said that the youth are Uganda’s greatest asset that need to be provided with an environment that encourages positive creativity to spur the country to the next level of development and transformation.

“Uganda’s youth are full of creativity, innovation, and potential, which can be turned into tangible products. However, many young innovators and entrepreneurs are unaware of how to protect their ideas, inventions, and brands. URSB must support them,” he said.

He added that URSB is committed to supporting young innovators by providing the knowledge and tools to safeguard their work.

In her remarks, the URSB registrar general, Mercy Kainobwisho, emphasised the need for early exposure to IP concepts to enable young people to harness the full potential of their ideas and creations. She noted that the UGYouth4IP campaign is designed to demystify IP, positioning it as a strategic asset that young Ugandans must embrace to unlock their full creative and entrepreneurial potential.

“UGYOUTH4IP is not just a campaign. It is a movement to cultivate a culture of innovation among Uganda’s youth. Intellectual property is the bridge between an idea and its impact. URSB is here to help the young people cross that bridge, protect their creativity and make money out of their innovations,” she said.

The launch featured an exciting line-up of activities, including a keynote address, panel discussions with young innovators, and success stories from IP champions.

Participants were also introduced to key IP concepts and frameworks, equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate the world of creativity and innovation.

As part of its outcomes, the URSB says the campaign aims to foster a generation of IP-aware youth who can leverage their talents, protect their ideas, and contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s socio-economic transformation.

With the launch of the campaign, URSB reiterated its commitment to working closely with government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to ensure that young innovators receive the support they need to grow and protect their ideas.