





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

URSB and partners champion Uganda’s first Geographical Indication: Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon coffee
In a landmark development reshaping Uganda’s agricultural export landscape, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), and French Development Agency (AFD) convened a crucial three-day Marketing and Control Workshop at Rwenzori International Hotel from 13th to 15th May 2025.
The workshop was designed to equip over 11,000 coffee farmers from Kasese, Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Bunyangabo, and Ntoroko with essential tools to manage and market Uganda’s first Geographical Indication (GI) – Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee.
“The GI framework will protect our producers from unfair competition and elevate Uganda’s reputation as a source of premium agricultural products,” remarked Mr. Gilbert Agaba, Commissioner Intellectual Property, representing the Registrar General. “URSB is keen on ensuring that GI protection enhances the competitiveness of Uganda’s unique coffee.”
The GI designation, officially registered in 2023 with support from the French Government, guarantees that Rwenzori coffee meets strict quality criteria and originates solely from this unique territory. Renowned for its sweet, fruity aroma and rich chocolate undertones, this 100% Arabica coffee scores above 80 percent in global cupping standards and is cultivated organically at altitudes exceeding 1,200 meters.
Coffee cooperative leaders attending the training praised URSB’s dedication: “The GI status for Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon Coffee is not only a win for our farmers but also for the entire nation. URSB has walked with us step by step, ensuring we understand the process, meet compliance standards, and protect the unique identity of our product.”
The Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon GI Association (RGIA) team highlighted URSB and WIPO’s crucial role in spearheading the GI process and continuing to build capacity for local producers, positioning Rwenzori coffee as a high-value, origin-specific product with strong export potential, setting a powerful precedent for other Ugandan products seeking similar recognition.