Local manufactures urged to register trademarks

(Credit: Abou Kisige)

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has asked local manufactures to register trademarks of their products, so as to enhance competition.

The managing director of the bureau, Mercy Kyomugasho Kainobwisho, said no product can compete without a trademark.

"You need to register your trademarks if you want to compete effectively and gain more profits. Customers associate with brands, not company names," she said.

Kyomugasho was addressing local manufactures and service providers at Hotel Africana in Kampala.

She noted that trademarks help to reduce counterfeit products, as customers are able to identify a product of their choice.

The manager of Intellectual Property at URSB, Gilbert Agaba, urged local manufactures to register their trade marks to protect their intellectual rights and avoid duplication on the market.

"A trade mark helps you to distinguish your product and business from others and helps consumers to identity your products from counterfeits," he added.

Manufacturers complained that the Government has not shown commitment towards supporting local manufactures to improve on their products and increase production to effectively compete at the regional market.

Lucia Namubiru, the director of LUNAS Enterprises Uganda Limited, a company that  manufactures sweaters, socks and elastic belts, said many local manufactures still need technical and financial support so as to expand their businesses.

Isabel Agol, the director NaRoho Leather Goods, said the Government should allow free importation of raw materials for local manufactures to allow them grow their initiatives and promote competitiveness.

The director of Honey Chocolate, Godwin Mpuuga, said the Government needs to start giving tax holidays to allow local companies grow like they do for the foreign investors.