Ugandan to lead the Paris union assembly

Uganda Registration Services Bureau Registrar (URSB) General, Bemanya Twebaze, has been elected the President of the Paris Union Assembly.

Bemanya was nominated during the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO),57th General Assembly which is currently ongoing in Geneva, Switzerland.

"This is a reflection of the positive steps taken by Uganda in supporting innovation and creativity for economic growth and I commit to serve diligently to achieve the objectives of the Union" said Bemanya.

He called upon all member states to make use of all the available opportunities within the framework of the Union that are geared towards using intellectual property as a tool for development.

He will be assisted by Shen Changyu from China, Vice President and Maximiliano Santa Cruz from Chile as the Vice- Chair.

According to a statement by URSB, Twebaze's election comes at a time when Uganda is bolstering its operations in improving and enhancing innovation and creativity for economic growth geared towards using intellectual property as a tool for development and support to national objectives.

"It also comes at a time when URSB, together with other stakeholders has successfully drafted the National Intellectual Property Policy that will; when approved by Government be a landmark in the IP development agenda in the country," reads the statement.

In his speech, Justice and Constitutional affairs Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire appreciated the unwavering support provided by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to URSB in areas of automation of the Intellectual Property Administration Systems and establishing Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) in Institutions of Higher Learning.

Currently 12 Technology Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) have been established in different higher institutions of learning with a hope to establish more.

"I am calling upon WIPO to extend technical support to the protection of traditional knowledge, cultural expressions and associated genetic resources. Uganda is committed to using creativity and innovation to address several challenges that face our country such as poverty, unemployment and provide lasting solutions to our economic development," said Otafiire.

As president, Bemanya will engage with partners to promote and develop intellectual property services in the Country towards supporting the national development goals.

Who is Bemanya
Bemanya is the Registrar General of Uganda Registration Services Bureau is also the Administrator of Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL). He holds a Bachelors of Law from Makerere University and an MBA from Esami and is also a Harvard University Alumni.