





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 Urges Creatives to Protect Their Work Ahead of Uganda One Festival 2026
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has renewed its call to creatives to safeguard their intellectual property as preparations intensify for the Uganda One Festival, a new national celebration of Uganda’s creative and cultural economy.
Speaking at the festival press launch, the Commissioner for Copyright and Neighbouring Rights, Ms. Miriam Nabatanzi, cautioned artists against neglecting copyright protection, noting that lack of awareness continues to expose creatives to exploitation. She reminded creatives and the media that copyright, though intangible, is valuable property that deserves protection and respect.
Ms. Nabatanzi explained that creative works such as music, dance, films, choreography, and other artistic expressions are protected by law and should not be used without consent or compensation.

She highlighted URSB’s role in supporting the creative sector through services such as copyright registration, trademarks, company registration, and oversight of collecting management organisations (CMOs).
The call comes as Uganda prepares to host the Uganda One Festival, scheduled to take place from 8th to 9th January 2026. The festival will bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders to showcase Uganda’s diverse talents across music, film, performing arts, books, visual arts, digital media, culture, and heritage.
URSB also highlighted reforms that have made copyright registration faster and more affordable, with certificates now issued within minutes.