





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 Got Talent: More Than Just a Show
URSB hosted one of its most joyful and inspiring internal events, the “URSB Got Talent” show 2025. This wasn’t just about singing, dancing, or performing. It was about something deeper- recognizing, celebrating, and unleashing the hidden talents within our URSB family.
We have often been known for serious work; registration services, regulation, technical support, enforcement, and Intellectual property protection, among others. But this event reminded us of something essential- behind every desk and screen is a whole human being with gifts, stories, and spark.
This would seem unusual. Why would a public institution like URSB host a talent show? Some may not understand it.
URSB IS ONE BIG COMMUNITY
The answer is simple yet profound. URSB is not just a workplace, it’s a community. And like any vibrant community, we thrive when we make room not only for professionalism but also for personality, passion, and purpose.
Our goal was to identify talent beyond routine work, appreciate gifts that often go unnoticed, encourage confidence, collaboration, and celebration, and build team morale in a joyful, refreshing way. And, we did.

TALENT BEYOND JUST WORK
As the performances unfolded, so did something beautiful. We didn’t just see staff singing or acting, we saw joy that filled the space and spilled into conversations long after. Confidence that blossomed in even the quietest and reserved team members through their dance moves; Creativity expressed through poetry, fashion, dance, and drama, and Team spirit as Departments and units cheered each other with healing and laughter, which are often underestimated leadership tools. We also saw Respect for diversity, as staff brought culture, faith, and flair into the spotlight- oh what an evening it was.
Some even said, “I didn’t know she could sing like that!” or “Wow, he should be on TV,” and that’s exactly the point.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
As a leader, watching this unfold and also personally participating was a powerful moment. I was reminded that leading a youthful workforce, with interns, clerkship students, and early-career professionals, requires more than guidance. It requires Creativity to keep engagement high, Flexibility to embrace ideas that may be unconventional, Courage to let go of rigidity and welcome joy, and Trust in the team’s ability to surprise you positively.
LEVERAGING ON YOUTHFUL STAFF
At URSB, over 70% of our staff are under 35. That’s not just a demographic, it’s a dynamic- it’s a shift in the workplace. And to lead such a team effectively, you must stay innovative, think generationally, and build free platforms for expression.
What makes this even more relevant is URSB’s role in protecting intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks, patents, and more. If we are to value talent as a nation, we must start by valuing talent in-house. We have in-house poets, composers, writers, performers, etc.
This event allowed us to lead by example. I showcased my talent. We gave visibility to the creative economy. We lived our mandate most humanely and joyfully as possible.

CREATIVELY MIXING WORK WITH FUN
I want to encourage colleagues, “Do not be afraid to create fun, even in serious places.” Fun is not the opposite of professionalism; it is often the fuel of purpose, innovation, and productivity.
Let us together build workplaces where laughter isn’t rare, cultivate a culture where people feel seen, and protect not only data and systems, but also the dignity and dreams of our teams.
EXCELLENCE AND MORE
It was more than a Show.
For me, “URSB Got Talent” was not just a talent show; it was more. It was a celebration of identity and creativity, a reminder that people are multi-dimensional, a leadership lesson in engagement, and a beautiful picture of what happens when we dare to lead with heart.
As we look ahead, may we keep discovering and celebrating the beauty within our teams, and may talent never go unnoticed under our leadership.
Thank you to all who participated and the organisers- the Communication Team.
The writer is the Team Leader and Registrar General