





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 Registers “Champagne” as a Protected Geographical Indication
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has marked a significant milestone in its intellectual property mandate with the official registration of “Champagne” as a protected Geographical Indication (GI) under the Geographical Indications Act, Cap. 223.
The registration, sealed on January 28, 2026, was granted in the name of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne (CIVC) of France. It formally recognises Champagne as a product whose quality, reputation and characteristics are inherently linked to the north-east Champagne region of France, in line with established international GI principles.
By granting this protection, Uganda has legally restricted the use of the name “Champagne” within its jurisdiction to sparkling wines genuinely produced in the designated French region and in compliance with approved production standards.
This registration strengthens consumer protection, prevents misleading commercial practices, and emphasizes trust in the marketplace.
Champagne wines are globally celebrated for their distinctive sparkle, refined aromas, and superior quality; attributes shaped by centuries of tradition, specific grape varieties, and the unique soil and climate of the Champagne region.
This registration emphasizes the Bureau’s commitment to enforcing intellectual property rights and aligning Uganda’s IP framework with global best practices.
The development also highlights opportunities for Uganda to leverage GI protection for its own distinctive local products, supporting value addition, cultural heritage preservation, and enhanced market access both locally and internationally.