Overview
Uganda protects trademarks, patents, and industrial designs through national legislation, administered by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB). As a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO), Uganda allows applicants to file either locally or through ARIPO protocols, depending on whether coverage is desired just in Uganda or across multiple ARIPO states.
Uganda’s IP framework generally aligns with international standards, providing a combination of formal registration, examination, and court-based enforcement. Foreign and local applicants alike can expect clear procedures to obtain legal protection, with judicial remedies available against infringement whenever it arises.
International Conventions
Uganda has joined several international arrangements that inform its IP regime, including:
Paris Convention
Berne Convention
TRIPS Agreement
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
IP office
Trademark registration in Uganda proceeds on a single-class basis, whereby separate applications must be submitted for each class of goods or services.
Applications are lodged at URSB with a clear representation of the trademark, along with requisite fees.
A substantive examination checks for any conflicts and ensures the trademark is sufficiently distinctive.
A trademark is initially valid for 7 years from the date of registration and can be renewed for successive 10-year periods thereafter.
Applicants must accurately provide their name, address, and the single class of goods or services sought in each filing.
ARIPO membership affords the option of seeking broader regional protection via a single ARIPO filing.
Upon successful registration, trademark owners acquire exclusive rights in Uganda, enforceable through administrative or judicial avenues if unlawful use is detected.
Patents in Uganda are granted for inventions that demonstrate novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Applicants may file directly with URSB or opt for ARIPO’s Harare Protocol route for extended coverage.
Patents typically remain in force for 20 years from the date of filing, subject to annual maintenance fees.
A detailed specification, claims, and relevant documentation must be submitted.
A substantive examination ensures compliance with patentability criteria.
Uganda’s membership in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) further allows international applicants to enter the national phase after a single global filing.
When a patent is granted, owners gain exclusive rights to exploit the invention in Uganda and may pursue legal actions against infringers within local courts.
Industrial design protection in Uganda focuses on the ornamental or aesthetic qualities of an article. Designs may be registered locally via URSB or regionally through ARIPO.
Applicants provide representations or drawings of the design, along with official fees.
Design registrations typically last for an initial term of five years, renewable twice for a total of 15 years.
Accurate applicant information ensures registration validity.
A registered design gives its owner the right to prevent unauthorized manufacture, distribution, or sale of products duplicating or closely resembling the protected design in Uganda.
