WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/500 
9 October 2007 
 (07-4286) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
PRIORITY NEEDS FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL COOPERATION 
 
Communication from Uganda  
 
 
 According to paragraph 2 of the Decision of 29 November 2005 on the Extension of the 
Transition Period under Article 66.1 for Least-Devel oped Country Members, "all the least-developed 
country Members will provide to the Council for TR IPS, preferably by 1 January 2008, as much 
information as possible on their individual priority needs for technical and financial cooperation in 
order to assist them taking steps necessa ry to implement the TRIPS Agreement". 
  The present document reproduces the inform ation which has been received from the 
Delegation of Uganda by means of a communication dated 3 October 2007. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
 The TRIPS Council Decision of 29 November 2005 extended the transition period for least- 
developed countries (LDCs) to implement the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement) until 1 July 2013.  At the same time, LDCs are not obliged, with 
respect to pharmaceutical products, to implement or apply Sections 5 and 7 of Part II of the TRIPS 
Agreement or to enforce rights provided for under these Sections until 1 January 2016.  In both cases, 
LDCs have reserved the right to seek furt her extensions of these transition periods. 
  Paragraph 2 of the 29 November Decision h as invited LDC Members, including Uganda, to 
provide as much information as possible to the C ouncil, preferably by 1 January 2008, on their 
individual priority needs for technical and financial co-operation in order to assist them in taking steps 
necessary for implementing the TRIPS Agreement.  The 29 November Decision did not cover the regional dimension of intellectual property, and as such did not examine regional frameworks and 
organizations such as the African Regional Intell ectual Property Organization (ARIPO), of which 
Uganda, like several other African LDCs, is a member.  Given the important role played by regional 
intellectual property organizations in  supporting patent administration in  particular in Uganda, we are 
of the view that the TRIPS Council should extend  the needs assessment process to cover regional 
frameworks and organizations of significance to LDCs such as ARIPO.  
 As the WIPO Annual Assemblies have recently re-emphasised in approving the organization's 
new Development Agenda, intellectual property rights (IPRs) should be a tool for development and an 
integrated part of national policies and pr ogrammes on education, science and technology; 
industrialization; agriculture and the environment; th e protection of culture and the encouragement of 
innovation.  In taking the steps necessary to adva nce the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement, 
Uganda emphasises the importance of the special and differential treatment it enjoys as an LDC, 
especially in terms of its explicit entitlement to  maximum policy flexibility in building a sound and 
viable technological base and safeguarding public health and nutrition under the TRIPS Agreement.  IP/C/W/500 
Page 2  
 
   
 Uganda is fully aware of its international ob ligations and the need to implement the TRIPS 
Agreement, although at an appropriate time, with  due consideration to the minimum standards of 
protection and enforcement and ta king into account, among others, the objectives and principles of the 
Agreement.  For that purpose the present communicati on and its annexes seek to reflect priority needs 
and set out a plan of action for technical and financ ial assistance seen as a pre-requisite to implement 
the TRIPS Agreement by Uganda.
  These are the prime priorities but there are other recommendations 
for measures that could be undertaken which are incorporated in a 2007 study titled "Technical and 
Financial Cooperation Needs for Implementation of the WTO TRIPS Agreement in Uganda".  
Notwithstanding its commitments and due to the comple xity of the task involved, Uganda retains the 
right to request further extensions of the impl ementation period in the future if required to 
accommodate socio-economic, administra tive or financial constraints.  
 
II. POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM 
 It is crucial for Uganda to establish mechanis ms to elaborate a cross-cutting national IP policy 
framework.  In that sense the creation of a "Nati onal IP Policy Forum" within the existing Inter 
Institutional Trade Committee (IITC) will be essential in generating a comprehe nsive, coherent and 
inclusive national IP policy and consultation process.   The reform of existing legal frameworks will 
have to consider carefully a balanced implemen tation of obligations, flexibilities, safeguards and 
exceptions, especially in the fields of health and education.  More specifically, Uganda's 
implementation of the TRIPS Agreement will be guided by the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS 
Agreement and Public Health, the 30 August 2003 WTO Decision on the Implementation of 
Paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIP S Agreement and Public Health, and subsequent 
TRIPS amendments.    Uganda realises that IP is a cross-cutting issu e where complementary policies on, for instance, 
health, agriculture, environment and competition are equally important in the context of implementing 
the TRIPS Agreement.  The implementation needs to  be undertaken comprehensively and coherently 
with other international arrangements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, the FAO treaty 
on Plant Genetic Resources, releva nt WIPO conventions and WHO treaties and resolutions as well as 
regional trade and IP arrangements (e.g. EAC, COM ESA, ARIPO, etc) that will be key components in 
a comprehensive policy reform process.  
 
 It is important to also adapt domestic polici es to align with rapidly changing technological 
trends in the global economy.  At this stage of Ug anda's path to development, it is necessary for the 
country to seek and receive support from the intern ational community on the use and management 
IPRs in combination with well designed gove rnment support measures that address domestic 
development needs such as the promotion and est ablishment of a domestic creative and innovative 
industry and the development of its technological base.   
III. BUILDING A SCIENTIFIC, TECHNOLOGICAL AND CREATIVE BASE 
 In Uganda, efforts are underway, supported by our  development partners, to begin to establish 
a modern national scientific and technological infrast ructure which meets the n eeds and aspirations of 
our people, our enterprises and our industries.  Uganda has recently developed a national science, 
technology and innovation policy, drafted a nationa l industrial policy and has a small network of 
research institutions operating mainly in the public  sector.  However, much more can be done to 
strengthen our embryonic scientific and research ins titutions and implement appropriate interventions 
to reinforce existing national polices, incentives a nd programmes aimed at both the public and the 
private sector.  Much more can also be done to en courage better-targeted incentives for transfer of 
technology by developed countries.  In this last re spect, Uganda plans to cooperate with other LDCs 
to make further contributions to the TRIPS C ouncil regarding its specific needs for technology  IP/C/W/500 
 Page 3 
 
 
  transfer in order to guide developed countries in  the implementation of Ar ticle 66.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement.  
IV. THE PROCESS FOR ASSESSING THE NEEDS 
 Several consultations to determ ine priority needs have been co -ordinated by the Government 
of Uganda during 2007 with a variety of nationa l stakeholders and with the technical support of 
independent international experts.  A pilot project  jointly undertaken by ICTSD and Saana Consulting 
titled "Assessing the Needs for Financial and Techni cal Cooperation of LDCs in Implementing the 
TRIPS Agreement"
 has been instrumental in assisting Uganda  to identify its various technical and 
financial assistance needs.1 
 
 The needs assessment process has identified the prime obstacles faced by Uganda in using the 
IP system to promote innovation and facilitate the transfer and dissemination of technology with a view to enhancing competitiveness and integration in the global economy.  In this sense it adds an 
additional dimension to the scope of the Uganda Di agnostic Trade Integration Study carried out under 
the Integrated Framework.  
 
V. SETTING PRIORITIES AND A PLAN OF ACTION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL 
 This introductory statement is supplemented w ith two annexes. Annex A highlights the prime 
priorities in terms of financial and technical elem ents for taking the steps necessary to implement the 
TRIPS Agreement based on feedback and inputs prov ided in multi-stakeholder consultations and in 
interviews carried out at the national level.  Th e needs assessment includes the IP policy and legal 
framework, IPRs administration, enforcement a nd regulation of IPRs, a nd promoting innovation, 
stimulating technology transfer and using IP fo r advancing development.  Annex B provides an 
outline planning matrix for a long-term, national IP R capacity building programme meeting Uganda's 
needs. 
 
 Within the framework of this future outlook of necessary administrative and legal reform, and 
mindful of the commitment made by developed c ountries under Article 67 of the TRIPS Agreement 
and the principles set out in the 2005 Paris Declar ation on aid effectiveness, Uganda requests early 
consultations with appropriate agencies from deve loped country members, in co-ordination with 
international institutions and interested NGOs worki ng on IPRs and developmen t, to take forward the 
detailed design and implementation of such a progr amme.  Uganda requests that partners for the 
consultations include WIPO, UNCTAD, WHO, C op of the CBD, UNESCO, FAO, the World Bank 
and/or other interested international and regiona l Organizations, as well as bilateral donor agencies 
such as DFID, IP offices, and civil society organizations such as ICTSD.   
 Uganda is committed to ensuring that the new national IP capacity building programme be 
well-linked with other related in itiatives supported by its developm ent partners, especially those 
involved with updating the legal framework, agricult ural and creative industries and the development 
and the strengthening of the national scientific and technology base, including the Integrated Framework, and relevant components of the ongoi ng Millennium Science Initiative and the Private 
Sector Competitiveness Programme II. 
                                                     
 
1 The project sponsored a field mission by two independent experts and national workshop in Uganda 
in July 2007.  The field mission utilized the "Diagnos tic Toolkit for Assessing Tech nical Assistance Needs for 
Implementing the TRIPS Agreement in LDCs" developed under the project in May 2007.  For more information 
see the project website at http://www.iprsonline.org/ictsd/LDCneeds.htm  IP/C/W/500 
Page 4  
 
  ANNEX A 
 
PRIORITY NEEDS FOR TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL CO-OPERATION FOR TAKING 
STEPS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
IP policy framework 
 
• Support for coordination of IP policy development .  The National Trade Policy requires 
that laws to protect IP be enacted.  Whilst ma ny of the aspects of the basic elements of the 
IPR legal framework are in place in Uganda, a nd new legal drafts and regulations are being 
prepared by the Uganda Law Reform Commission supported by external assistance, what is 
missing is an over-arching national IP polic y framework developed and supported by all 
interested stakeholders, and covering the policy linkages between IP and public health 
(including implementation of the WTO Doha  Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and 
Public Health in Uganda);  agriculture and th e environment including plant variety protection; 
education, science and technology; enterprise development and regulation; and protecting 
Uganda's rich cultural heritage and traditiona l knowledge.  Financial and technical assistance 
is required to design and implement a comprehe nsive, coherent and inclusive national IP 
policy development and consulta tion process.  This should include support for a "National IP 
Policy Forum" as the appropriate institutional mechanism to bring together the range of 
stakeholders from government, the private sector and civil society. Support should also be 
provided to transform the existing WIPO-Uga nda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) 
National IP Strategy, initiated in 2005. The "N ational IP Policy Forum" would aim to produce 
a draft national IP policy framework within its  first year of operation to guide future 
legislative development;  it would then work to update and elaborate aspects of national IP 
policy from then onwards.  
 
• Training for policymakers on IPR concepts, international IPR conventions and best 
practices from other countries .  Technical assistance is required to undertake an initial 
"intensive phase" of human resource developmen t for government officials, the private sector 
and civil society participating in the propo sed "National IP Policy Forum" and policy 
development process.  Theoretical and practical training on basic IPR concepts, the international framework for IPR protecti on (TRIPS Agreement and other principal 
international IP conventions including obliga tions, flexibilities, safeguards and exceptions 
applicable to Uganda), key challenges (benefits, costs and risks) for developing countries 
implementing stronger IP protection and best  practices from other countries is required, 
tailored to the needs of policymakers (rather th an IP office administrators for example).  
Educating government officials and other rele vant stakeholders in basic concepts of 
intellectual property rights is essential to ra ise awareness and understanding of IPRs in 
general, its value and how it can be used in the interest of furthering Uganda's local and 
regional development.  The training should also  cover emerging IP issues on the international, 
regional and national agendas (for instance the EPA negotiations between the EU and Eastern 
and Southern Africa), and include financial assi stance for logistics, background research and 
overseas study tours. 
 
• Development of a multi-disciplinary IP policy teaching, research and analysis capacity 
in the academic community .  Subject matter to be covered would include the full range of 
intellectual property issues, including new and evolving areas such as ensuring improved 
access to medicines, technology transfer c oncepts, protection of traditional knowledge, 
exploitation of geographical indications, protec tion of integrated circuit topographies, utility 
model protection, access to genetic resources and benefit sharing under the CBD, and the 
evolution of copyright and potentially new forms of rights in the digital environment.  The 
focus would be on supporting gr aduate, undergraduate and docto ral teaching and supervision  IP/C/W/500 
 Page 5 
 
 
  capacity and on investigating the socio-economic impacts, international experiences in other 
countries, and identification of the optimum legal and regulatory frameworks for their administration in Uganda as well as in a regi onal context (e.g. EAC, COMESA, ARIPO, etc). 
 
Innovation, technology transf er and using IP for development 
 
• Improving business education and awareness about IP for small and medium 
enterprises (SMEs) .  There is a long-term need for technical and financial assistance for 
education and awareness raising campaigns in b asic IP concepts, using IP for development, 
and the management of IP, for SMEs across Uganda but targeting the creative industries 
(copyright and related rights), agricultural (plant varieties, tr ademarks, geographical 
indications) and commercial and manufacturing sector  in particular (trademarks and patents).  
Activities should be professionally designed and ta rget different segments of the SME and its 
support community appropriately (e.g. creators of IP, business service providers, government research facilities, university researchers, and legal and financial service professionals).  
There is also a need for assistance to develop curricula to cover IP, from a broad perspective, 
in the tertiary educational sector and in the f aculties of law, engineering, science, economics 
and agriculture at Makerere a nd other universities and vocational institutions.  Finally, there is 
a specific need for technical and financial assist ance to improve the qua lity and availability of 
local business consultancy and support Organi zations to offer improved services on IP 
management by SMEs in Uganda, again targeti ng the sectors described above.  In the context 
of establishing and strengthening a domestic creat ive and innovative base it is important to 
attract technology and to absorb and adjust it for local needs.  It is important to build upon 
knowledge available within the public domain. 
 
• Development of a Patent Information Serv ice to support innovation and technology 
transfer .  Technical co-operation and financial assistance are needed to design and 
implement a computerized and on-line Patent Information Service (PIS) in Uganda.  The PIS 
should include the facility for advanced search ing of up-to-date global patent databases to 
identify technologies and technological information of importance for innovation and technology transfer to support industrial development in ke y sectors (e.g. manufacturing, 
mining, fishing, forestry, agriculture).  The PIS should be operated by the URSB (as the Ugandan node in the global patent informati on network) in cooperation with the National 
Council for Science and Technology, the Uganda  Industrial Research Institute, the Uganda 
Investment Authority and select academic institu tions in Uganda.  Support for training of PIS 
operators and users would be re quired.  Support is also need ed to assess the feasibility of 
staffing the URSB with a limited number of technical specialists (patent examiners) in key fields to serve as an 'intelligent interface' between the global patent system and Ugandan 
researchers and SMEs. 
 
IPR administration  
 
• Developing an optimal business model for intellectual property administration in 
Uganda by benchmarking agains t international best practice .  Whilst the URSB has been 
established it is not yet fully functional as envisaged under its enabling Act.  There is an 
urgent need for technical co-operation to identif y the most appropriate and feasible legal and 
operational structure as envisioned by the URSB Act and based on lessons learned from the international best practice, including other Afri can countries.  Currently Uganda has no patent 
examiners and patent applications are examin ed by ARIPO.  Moreover it is important to 
establish a link between training institutions and the IP office.  Users of IP demanded 
increased service levels in terms of patent filing and trademark registration.  The use of 
databases would facilitate process as it allows for transparency and access to available 
information.  This investigation would also examine the issue of whether or not patent IP/C/W/500 
Page 6  
 
  administration in Uganda should include substa ntive technical examination and, if so, how 
such examination could best be carried out.  Should the investigation conclude that a 
financially autonomous IP office is a viable model, medium-term financial assistance would 
be required from 2008 for an initial period of at least 5 years or until the office is in a position to achieve financial self-sustainability.  
 
• Enhanced human resources at URSB .  If and when an financially autonomous URSB is 
operationalized (see above), a modest number of  additional permanent staff positions will be 
required to support the delivery of  improved levels of services to IP rights holders and other 
users through an alternative, self-sustaining bus iness model.  Formal and on-the-job training 
will be required for staff in IPR administrati on, patent information services, strategic and 
business planning, financial management a nd accrual accounting, human resources 
management, information technology skills, and communications, on an on-going basis. 
 
• Computerization of registries for tradem arks, industrial designs, and patents .  Since the 
country is a member of the Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT) system and ARIPO, where documentation and operations are computerized, ther e is an urgent need to also computerize 
workflows and registries in Uganda.  Users of IP demand increased service levels in terms of 
patent filing and trademark registration and use computerized databases would facilitate 
greater efficiency, transparency and access to av ailable information.  In the short term, 
technical (including training of staff) and financial support to design and implement necessary 
electronic processes, workflows and registries, including the conversion of existing paper registries for patents, trademarks and industrial designs to electronic form, is required.  These 
needs will continue over the medium term, as new and amended legisla tion, regulations and 
administrative procedures are implemented. 
 
Enforcement and regulation of IPRs  
 
• Improving consumer education and public awareness about IPRs .  There is a medium-
term need for technical and financial assistan ce to support public education and awareness 
raising campaigns throughout Uganda on IPRs , including obligations, flexibilities, safeguards 
and exceptions.  Campaigns should be professiona lly designed and use well-defined messages 
to target different audiences appropriately, e.g.  consumers, businesses and traders, artists and 
musicians, radio and television broadcasters, the academic community, manufacturers, 
researchers and legal and business service prof essionals.  Such campaigns should include 
participation from private sector and rights holder organizations, such as the Uganda Manufacturers Association, Uganda Performi ng Rights Society, and the Uganda Music 
Publishers Association as well as consumer associations. 
 
• Training and qualification of private and public sector attorneys and agents .  There is an 
urgent need to train and qualify private and pu blic sector practitioners to effectively represent 
the interests of applicants and owners of IPRs  and other interested parties before the URSB 
and the courts.  Specifically, there is an immedi ate need for technical and financial support to 
develop and deliver training programs for attorneys as well as engineers and scientists in matters relating to patent drafti ng, application, prosecution and litigation.  Such training could 
be delivered through a professiona l development or continuing education program at the Law 
Development Centre, for example.  In the longer term, the government may choose to 
establish standards that must be met by private sector IP practitioners in order to qualify to 
represent applicants before the URSB. 
 
• Training of enforcement agencies and righ ts holder organizations in IPR concepts, 
national legislation and enforcement strategies .  There is a need for technical cooperation 
and financial support for the "training of traine rs" in IP concepts, na tional legislation and  IP/C/W/500 
 Page 7 
 
 
  regulations and enforcement matters for the fu ll range of enforcement authorities and such 
other organizations that play important roles in  contributing to effective enforcement of IPRs, 
including: the police, the National Revenue Authority's Customs and Excise Department 
(CED), the National Bureau of Standards and pot entially the military.  Specialized training is 
needed for the office of the pub lic prosecutor and members of the commercial division of the 
High Court.  In addition, support is needed for "training of trainers" on IPR enforcement 
strategies of other interested organizations (governmental and private sector) including, for 
example, Ministry of Health's Directorate General of Medical Services (authority for regulatory compliance of pharmaceuticals), th e Uganda Performing Rights Society, the 
Uganda Manufacturers Association and the Uganda Music Publishers Association. 
 
• Provision of access to networked, computerised  national intellectual property registries 
for the Uganda Customs and Excise Depart ment and the Uganda National Bureau of 
Standards .  Medium term financial assistance and technical co-operation are required to 
provide access to networked, computerised datab ases on IPRs that are in force in Uganda, for 
use by enforcement authorities in co-opera tion with the URSB.  Additionally, on-line 
communications with and access to World Customs Organization (WCO) databases to 
improve 'risk profiling' and to identify counte rfeit trademarks and fake goods should also be 
provided to the Customs authority and, if feasibl e, to the Ministry of Health in the case of 
fraudulent pharmaceutical products. 
 
• Enhancing co-operation with foreign enforce ment agencies on combating counterfeiting 
and piracy .  Financial and technical assistance is re quired to enable coordination of customs 
border measures between Uganda and its neighbouring countries.  A study should be 
undertaken to determine the feasibility of establishing a network mechanism between 
neighbouring countries for greater coordination and cooperation between the IP offices, customs and police authorities.  For example, it may be advantageous to facilitate access by 
neighbouring countries enforcement authorities to each other's electronic intellectual property 
registries, initially among EAC partner countries. 
 
Suggested next steps & timetable 
 
 It is proposed that the optimum means for a ddressing the needs identified in this report would 
be the development and implemen tation of a medium term nationa l IP capacity building programme 
for Uganda, beginning with an initial 5 year phase fro m July 2008 to July 2013.   In all probability, 
further phases of the programme would be required.  The programme should be well-linked with other 
related initiatives, especially tho se involved with updating the le gal framework, agricultural and 
creative industries development and the strengtheni ng of the national scientific and technology base, 
including the Integrated Framework for Trade Rela ted Technical Assistance to LDCs, and relevant 
components of the ongoing World Bank-funded Mille nnium Science Initiative (financed with a 
US 30m loan) and the World Bank-funded Privat e Sector Competitiveness Programme II (financed 
with a US $70m loan).  
  IP/C/W/500 
Page 8 
ANNEX B  
OUTLINE PROGRAMME PLANNING MATRIX 
STRATEGIC GOALS & 
OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR 
TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE PROPOSED MAIN 
ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS 
NEEDS LEAD  
NATIONAL AGENCIES PROVISIONAL TARGET  
TIMETABLE 
Project 1: Updating IP Policy 
& Legal Framework 
 A. Support for coordination and 
development of national IP 
policy framework. 
B. Training for policymakers on 
IPR concepts, TRIPS and 
international IPR conventions 
(including obligations, 
flexibilities, safeguards and 
exceptions applicable to Uganda) and best practices from 
other countries.  
C. Development of a multi-
disciplinary IP policy teaching, 
research and analysis capacity 
in the academic community. 
D. Development of IP management 
policies and procedures for 
national universities and research institutes 
  • Establishment of a "National IP 
Policy Forum", properly 
equipped to bring together the 
appropriate range of governmental and non-
governmental stakeholder in the 
policy development process 
• Intensive training activity to 
develop sufficient national IP policymaking capacity based on 
solid understanding of IP issues, 
international IP conventions, and how they impact on 
Uganda's national development 
objectives.   
• Transformation of the WIPO-
URSB National IP Strategy 
Project initiated in 2005 into a locally led policy development 
process targeted to national 
needs. 
• Development of IP policy 
research, analysis and teaching 
capacity in at least Makerere University and the Law 
Development Centre. • Ministry of Tourism, Trade 
& Industry 
 
• Ministry of Justice & 
Constitutional Affairs 
 
• Ministry of Health 
 
• Ministry of Agriculture 
 
• Uganda Registration 
Services Bureau 
 
• Uganda National Science 
& Technology Council 
 
• Makerere University 
 
• Law Development Centre 
 
• National Agriculture 
Research Organization 
 
• Uganda Industrial Research 
Institute 
 
• Civil Society & Private 
Sector representatives • All activities under Project 1 
to commence by June 2008 
and to be completed by July 
2013 
• Additional phase of technical 
and financial assistance may 
be required after July 2013  
   IP/C/W/500
 Page 9STRATEGIC GOALS & 
OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR 
TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE PROPOSED MAIN 
ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS 
NEEDS LEAD  
NATIONAL AGENCIES PROVISIONAL TARGET  
TIMETABLE 
Project 2: Using IP for 
development, promoting innovation, creativity, and 
technology transfer 
 A. Improving business education 
and awareness about IP for SMEs
 targeting the creative 
industries (copyright and related 
rights), agricultural (plant varieties, trademarks, 
geographical indications) and 
manufacturing sector in 
particular (patents and 
trademarks). 
B. Development of a patent 
information service (PIS) to 
support innovation and technology transfer. 
C. Identification of the potential 
economic value of national creative & cultural industries • Training of SMEs, staff 
managing the PIS, university and private sector researchers 
and legal practitioners (as 
potential patent agents) in patent database searching and 
reading patent documentation  
• Design and implementation of 
an online, fully searchable 
patent information service at the URSB, and possibly other 
sites, based on global patent 
databases 
• Study to assess feasibility of 
adding limited technical search 
and examination resources to the URSB to support patenting 
and dissemination of patented 
technical information.  
• Survey of economic value of 
national creative & cultural 
industries and potential domestic and export market 
development opportunities and 
constraints 
 
 
 
 • Ministry of Tourism, Trade 
and Industry  
• Uganda Registration 
Services Bureau 
• Uganda National Council 
for Science and 
Technology 
• Uganda Industrial Research 
Institute 
• Makerere University  
• Ministry of Gender and 
Social Development 
• Private sector associations 
representing SMEs • All activities under Project 4 
to commence by June 2008 and to be completed by July 
2013 
• Additional phase of technical 
and financial assistance may 
be required after July 2013  
  IP/C/W/500 
Page 10 
STRATEGIC GOALS & 
OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR 
TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE PROPOSED MAIN 
ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS 
NEEDS LEAD  
NATIONAL AGENCIES PROVISIONAL TARGET  
TIMETABLE 
Project 3:  Modernizing IP 
administration infrastructure  
 A. Developing an optimal business 
model for intellectual property administration in Uganda by 
benchmarking against 
international best practice. 
B. Enhanced human resources at 
URSB. 
C. Computerization of registries 
for trademarks, industrial 
designs, copyright and patents. • Develop an optimal business 
model for intellectual property administration in Uganda by 
benchmarking against 
international best practice. 
• Staff recruitment, design and 
implementation of competency-
based training programmes, 
including patent search and 
substantive examination (if warranted) 
• Design and implementation of 
fully computerized processes, workflows and registries for 
trademarks, industrial designs 
copyright and patents. • Uganda Registration 
Services Bureau 
 
• Uganda National Science 
& Technology Council 
 
• Uganda Industrial Research 
Institute • IP resource and management 
audit to define optimal business model for 
administration of intellectual 
property to commence in January 2008 to be completed 
by March 2008. 
• Establishment of new national 
IP office initiated by 
September 2008 
• Implementation of automation 
started in September 2008 and 
completed by September 2010 
• Staff recruitment and training 
on priority skills commenced in September 2008 and 
completed by September 
2010 
• Additional training 
programmes may be  required 
from July 2013 onwards 
 
 
  
 
  
   IP/C/W/500
 Page 11STRATEGIC GOALS & 
OBJECTIVES IDENTIFIED NEEDS FOR 
TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL 
ASSISTANCE PROPOSED MAIN 
ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS 
NEEDS LEAD  
NATIONAL AGENCIES PROVISIONAL TARGET  
TIMETABLE 
Project 4:  Strengthening IP 
enforcement and regulation regime 
 A. Improving consumer education 
and public awareness about IPRs. 
B. Training and qualification of 
private and public sector attorneys and agents. 
C. Training of enforcement 
agencies and rights holder 
organizations in IPR concepts, 
national legislation and IPR enforcement strategies. 
D. Provision of access to 
networked, computerised national intellectual property 
registries for the Uganda 
Customs and Excise Department and the Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards. 
E. Enhancing co-operation with 
foreign enforcement agencies 
on counterfeiting and piracy.  • Design, implementation and 
monitoring of public education and awareness raising 
campaigns on IPRs targeting a 
broad range of audiences. 
• Training programs for attorneys, 
engineers and scientists in 
matters relating to patent 
prosecution and litigation. 
• Training for enforcement 
agencies and rights holder 
organizations, including 
classroom-based, on-the-job, study tours, and training for 
trainers  
• Training for the judiciary in 
intellectual property and case 
management, including 
classroom-based, colloquia and study tours. 
• Computerization of Ugandan IP 
registries and network access to regional (e.g. EAC) and 
international databases, such as 
World Customs Organization and Interpol • Uganda Registration 
Services Bureau 
• Customs and Excise 
Department of Uganda 
Revenue Authority 
• Uganda Police 
• Uganda National Bureau of 
Standards 
• Commercial Division, High 
Court of Uganda 
• Private sector associations 
(e.g. Uganda 
Manufacturers Association, Uganda Performing Rights 
Society, etc.) 
• National Drug Authority • All activities under Project 3 
to commence by June 2008 and to be completed by July 
2013 
• Additional phase of technical 
and financial assistance may 
be required after July 2013 
 
 
__________