





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 IDLO Conduct Workshop to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge in Tooro Sub-Region
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), in partnership with the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), last week launched a six-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening the protection and commercialisation of Traditional Knowledge and Geographical Indications (GIs) in Uganda.
Traditional herbalists and beekeepers from attended the training, held at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal, across the Tooro sub-region to enhance their understanding of intellectual property (IP) rights and the value of formal registration.

Participants were drawn from Kabarole, Bunyangabu, Bundibugyo, Kasese, and Fort Portal, representing communities rich in indigenous knowledge and unique natural products. The workshop sought to empower them with practical skills to protect their innovations by registering with URSB, safeguard community knowledge, and explore structured pathways for commercialisation.
Throughout the sessions, experts delivered presentations on a wide range of topics, including the basics of intellectual property, national and global perspectives on traditional medicine, and the role of Geographical Indications in promoting locally unique products. Additional training covered commercialisation strategies, market access opportunities, and financial management for traditional medical practitioners and beekeepers looking to expand their enterprises.
By equipping local practitioners with IP knowledge, the initiative aims to foster innovation, promote value addition, and support economic growth within the Tooro sub-region.