During the National Dialogue on Intellectual Property, Technology Transfer and Research Commercialisation held on August 5, 2026, at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Dr. James Kisaale, executive secretary of the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), called on Ugandan researchers to shift their focus from solely producing research to actively transforming scientific discoveries into market-ready products and services.
Dr. Kisaale stressed that harnessing intellectual property (IP) is essential for Uganda to stimulate economic growth and generate employment opportunities. He highlighted the importance of technology transfer and effective commercialization strategies as key drivers for turning research outputs into tangible benefits for the country.
The dialogue brought together key stakeholders, including Robert Mugabe, commissioner for intellectual property at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), who underscored the role of IP protection in encouraging innovation and attracting investment.
IP expert Marvin Alinaitwe also contributed to the discussions, emphasizing the need for a robust IP framework that supports researchers and entrepreneurs in safeguarding their inventions and facilitating technology transfer.
The event featured presentations and interactive sessions aimed at raising awareness about the value of intellectual property rights and the mechanisms available for technology transfer and commercialization.
Participants agreed that Uganda must develop policies and institutional capacities that encourage the practical application of research findings to address local challenges and create economic opportunities.
The National Dialogue served as a platform to foster collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector to build an innovation ecosystem that leverages IP for sustainable development.
Photos from the event captured Dr. James Kisaale, URSB commissioner Robert Mugabe, and IP expert Marvin Alinaitwe engaging with attendees and sharing insights on advancing Uganda's IP landscape.
Uganda Encouraged to Leverage Intellectual Property for Economic Growth and Job Creation At a national dialogue on intellectual property, technology transfer, and research commercialization held in Kampala, Uganda's UNCST executive secretary Dr. James Kisaale emphasized the need for the country to move beyo... Read the full IIPLA article: https://iipla.org/news/uganda-encouraged-to-leverage-intellectual-property-for-economic-growth-and-job-creation