





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

Justice Minister Mao Champions Africa’s IP Agenda at WIPO Assemblies in Geneva
Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to intellectual property (IP) as a driver of innovation and sustainable development, as Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Hon. Norbert Mao, led the country’s delegation to the 65th Assemblies of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.
Speaking before global IP leaders last week, Hon. Mao applauded WIPO Director General Daren Tang for his progress in strengthening IP ecosystems, particularly across the Global South.
He called for increased support to developing nations, urging a shift from aid dependency to empowerment through innovation. “Developing countries need a hand up, not handouts,” Mao stated, positioning IP as a critical tool for economic transformation across Africa.
The Ugandan delegation included the Registrar General of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho, and Mr. Gilbert Agaba, Commissioner of Business Registration. The team showcased Uganda’s steady progress in building a robust IP regime that empowers creators, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Hon. Mao singled out URSB for its pivotal role in advancing IP administration, making Uganda a standout performer on the continent. He emphasized that strong IP systems are essential in unlocking value from Africa’s rich cultural and creative sectors.
The WIPO Assemblies serve as the premier forum for shaping global IP policy. Uganda’s active participation signals a firm intent to harness intellectual property as a cornerstone of inclusive development in the digital era.