Uganda’s Innovators demand stronger safeguards against IP theft

KABALE - Innovators in Uganda are urgently calling for a more streamlined and enforceable national Intellectual Property (IP) policy, amid growing concerns over rampant idea theft, particularly affecting students and tech developers in institutions of higher learning.

The alarm was raised during a one-day dissemination workshop on Uganda’s newly launched ICT-Intellectual Property (IP) Guidelines, held at Kabale University on Wednesday, April 23.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) and National Guidance, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

This initiative forms part of a broader effort by the Ugandan government to strengthen the country's innovation ecosystem, empower local talent, and ensure intellectual creations are both protected and effectively commercialised.

Growing frustration among student innovators

At the event, several students and innovators voiced increasing frustration over intellectual property theft, which they said threatens Uganda’s future in both creative and technological sectors.

Blair Nkuba, director of Thoraxa Technologies, revealed that many of his peers’ innovations had been stolen during national exhibitions organised by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). He explained that these exhibitions often feature student projects still in early development stages, making them vulnerable to exploitation by individuals from other institutions.

“Most of our innovations are hijacked during exhibitions, even before we can fully develop or patent them. This has discouraged many students, especially from smaller universities, from pursuing further innovation,” said Nkuba.

Rogers Kintu, a student at Kabale University, said young innovators often lack the legal knowledge or financial means to protect their work.

“Without support, it is a huge risk to present your ideas publicly,” he said.

Academia raises concerns over IP safety

Professor Johnny Mugisha, deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kabale University, acknowledged the issue, revealing that the university had deliberately chosen not to showcase certain innovations out of concern they could be copied or stolen.

He welcomed the ICT-IP Guidelines as a necessary intervention, describing them as a “significant step forward” in Uganda’s journey towards a secure and supportive innovation environment.

Prof. Mugisha also highlighted the role Artificial Intelligence (AI) could play in enhancing innovation, provided it is guided by ethical frameworks and human ingenuity.
“AI should not replace human creativity, but rather enhance it. We must balance technology with critical thinking and moral responsibility,” he said.

Govt and international support for innovation

The ICT-IP Guidelines were officially launched in February 2025 as a joint initiative between the Ugandan government and JICA. The guidelines aim to protect the intellectual property of locally developed IT systems, applications, and innovations.

Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, a Senior ICT Officer and Intellectual Property Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, emphasised that the guidelines are essential for empowering innovators across all sectors.

“These guidelines are not just theoretical. They provide practical tools to help innovators safeguard, develop, and eventually commercialise their ideas,” she said.

Nakyejwe stressed the importance of integrating ICT and legal awareness across industries to foster innovation. She also urged innovators to embrace AI as a tool to enhance research and creativity, rather than view it as a competitor to human intelligence.

“AI should amplify our efforts, not limit them. It helps streamline research, expand access to information, and foster innovation at an unprecedented pace,” she explained.

Japan’s role in Uganda’s innovation agenda

Representing the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Shimpei Watanabe reaffirmed Japan’s ongoing commitment to Uganda’s innovation and ICT development. He said JICA’s support is aimed not only at protecting innovation but also at generating employment and opening up new opportunities for Uganda’s youth.

“We are proud to support Uganda in building a more robust intellectual property environment. We are also exploring ways for Ugandan IT engineers to find job placements in Japan, where there is growing demand for skilled tech professionals,” said Watanabe.

Institutional resources to support innovators

The workshop also highlighted the existing infrastructure available to innovators across the country.

Amelia Kobusingye from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau encouraged participants to make use of the 38 Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs) around Uganda. These centres offer guidance on intellectual property protection, patent filing, and commercialisation strategies.

“These centres are a lifeline for innovators. They offer technical and legal support at no cost, making it easier for anyone, from students to startups, to protect their creations,” she said.

Associate Professor Busingye Phelix Mbabazi of Kabale University echoed the importance of leveraging available tools, calling Artificial Intelligence a “game-changer” for innovators in the ICT space. He stressed that innovation must be nurtured through education, legal protection, and consistent support.

“As long as innovators keep learning and exploring new ideas, the human mind will always be the main source of creativity,” he said.

Looking ahead: IP awareness on the national stage

The dissemination of the ICT-IP Guidelines comes just days before Uganda joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Intellectual Property Day on April 26.

The annual event celebrates creators, inventors, and entrepreneurs. This year’s theme highlights “music that unites, ideas that drive change, and a future built on inspiration.”