





Chief Guest Dr. Mary Teopista (Center), Amb. Francis Butagira, Registrar General Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho and URSB board members pose for a photo at the URSB ISO Certification External Stakeholders celebration
Hon. Nobert Mao congratulates the Registrar General, Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho, and Board member, Ms. Lydia A. Sekkabira on the ISO 9001:2015 certification milestone
Mr. Hamidu Tumuhimbise, a senior Registration Officer, attends to a client during the UEB claimants exercise at the Uganda Business Facilitation Center, Kololo
A delegation from PACRA led by the Deputy Registrar Mr. Chewe Peter Chilufya (Center) visited URSB for a 3 days benchmarking visit on the Intellectual Property Registry on how systems operate, the digital improvements implemented and how these reforms contribute to reduced turnaround time
A delegation from UNOC visits URSB to benchmark on the Digital Transformation Journey.
Director General WIPO Mr. Daren Tang, Minister of Justice Hon. Nobert Mao, The Registrar General Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho, URSB Board members a delegation from WIPO pause for a photo at the Uganda Business Facilitation Center during the DG’s mission to Uganda

Africa must own its heritage: Minister Mao rallies support for Geographical Indications at WIPO Summit
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hon. Norbert Mao has emphasised the transformative potential of Geographical Indications (GIs) for Africa, noting that effective GI protection can significantly enhance farmer incomes and boost rural development across the continent.
Speaking at the WIPO Global Symposium on Geographical Indications held at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, on 1st May 2025, Mao highlighted the unique advantages Africa possesses, including its rich biodiversity and diverse agricultural products.
Delivering his remarks, Minister Mao began by expressing gratitude to the President of Zimbabwe for the warm welcome, highlighting the deep-rooted ties between Uganda and Zimbabwe, anchored in Pan Africanism and shared liberation history. He stated, “As we gather here these few days, we must change the narrative. Africa is naturally endowed with good climatic conditions, rich, fertile soils, and vibrant cultures.”
He stated, “As we gather here these few days, we must change the narrative. Africa is naturally endowed with good climatic conditions, rich, fertile soils, and vibrant cultures.” He stressed that GIs hold the key to harnessing Africa’s unique agricultural heritage, linking products to their distinct legacies while enhancing their value on the global market. “With agriculture being the backbone of economies across Africa, we cannot afford to overlook the transformative potential of GIs,” Mao asserted.
Despite challenges such as a lack of awareness among producers and the need for strict quality control, the Minister underscored the importance of strategic policies and public-private partnerships to promote GIs effectively. He urged stakeholders to collaborate in creating an environment conducive to the successful implementation of GIs, stating, “We must actively pursue international markets where GI products can excel.”
Minister Mao’s call to action resonates with the urgent need for Africa to leverage its unique advantages, protect its products, and position them competitively on the world stage. The symposium marked a significant step towards unlocking the continent’s vast potential through the strategic use of Geographical Indications.