Patents Laws in Uganda

27 May 2025 --
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Uganda's patent laws are primarily governed by the Industrial Property Act, 2014, which modernized the country's intellectual property framework. This Act, administered by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), provides a legal basis for the protection of patents, utility models, and industrial designs.

🔍 Patent Protection in Uganda

Patentable Inventions: To qualify for a patent in Uganda, an invention must meet the following criteria:

Novelty: The invention must be new and not have been disclosed to the public anywhere in the world.

Inventive Step: It must involve an inventive step that is not obvious to someone skilled in the relevant field.

Industrial Applicability: The invention must be capable of being used in some kind of industry, including agriculture.

Patent Exclusions: Certain subject matter is excluded from patent protection, including:

Discoveries, scientific theories, and mathematical methods

Schemes, rules, or methods for performing mental acts, playing games, or doing business

Methods for the treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods.

Plant or animal varieties and essentially biological processes for the production of plants or animals (except for microbiological processes and the products thereof).

Mere presentations of information.

Patent Term: A granted patent is valid for 20 years from the filing date, with no possibility of extension.)

🛠️ Utility Models

Uganda also provides protection for utility models, which are similar to patents but typically involve inventions with a lower inventive step. Key points include:

Duration: Utility models are protected for 7 years from the filing date, with no possibility of renewal.(inventa.com)

Patentability: Inventions eligible for utility model protection must be new and industrially applicable but do not require an inventive step.)

Conversion: Applications for utility models can be converted into patent applications at any time before the grant or refusal of the utility model.

🌍 International Treaties and Regional Cooperation

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Uganda recognizes both international and national phase applications under the PCT system, facilitating the filing process for international patent protection

African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO): Uganda is a member of ARIPO, allowing applicants to file for patent protection in multiple African countries through a single application.

⚠️ Enforcement and Challenges

Despite the legal framework, enforcement of intellectual property rights in Uganda faces several challenges:

Weak Enforcement: There is a lack of effective enforcement of anti-piracy and anti-counterfeiting laws, leading to difficulties in protecting IP rights.

Capacity Issues: Limited awareness and capacity among enforcement bodies hinder the effective implementation of IP laws.

High Costs: The cost of patent applications and maintenance can be prohibitive for grassroots innovators and small enterprises.

Lack of Incentives: There is a need for stronger incentives, such as tax breaks or funding, to encourage innovation and patenting activities.

📝 Recent Developments

In May 2019, the Ugandan Cabinet approved the National Intellectual Property (IP) Policy, aiming to stimulate innovation, attract foreign investment, and address gaps in IP enforcement. The policy outlines measures to encourage and facilitate the effective creation, development, and management of IP assets in Uganda.