New intellectual property guidelines to protect local innovators  says  ICT PS Zawedde

The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Dr.Aminah Zawedde has underscored the rationale of protecting intellectual property.

Speaking during a workshop on the dissemination of the Uganda ICT Intellectual Property (IP) guidelines, Dr.Zawedde  who was represented by  the Commissioner Communications ,Moses Watasa, said the guidelines will  provide a clear roadmap for navigating the complexities of intellectual property rights.

“The guidelines outline the ministry's approach to managing, owning, and commercializing IP, emphasizing the importance of registering innovations, including software and hardware. These guidelines also provide crucial guidance on managing IP rights for locally developed IT systems, applications, and innovations – the very lifeblood of our growing tech sector,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary said the guidelines are built to ignite a spark of innovation and invention in ICT solutions, encouraging both original creations and adaptations from external sources.

She said the guidelines aim too promote adherence to best practices and standards in ICT solutions, ensuring quality and reliability for both locally developed and adapted technologies.

"The guidelines will help to facilitate the use of shared infrastructure and services provided by the ministry to regulate innovations and inventions, covering both domestic and transferred technologies.”

“They will also  safeguard the Intellectual Property rights of our innovators and inventors, ensuring they are protected whether they are creating something entirely new or adapting and adopting foreign technologies.”

According to the ICT Ministry PS, the guidelines will also unlock the potential for commercialization, enabling innovators to generate income from their IP and contribute to the growth of our economy.

She however emphasised that the guidelines apply to everyone developing innovations and applications for the government and the public, especially those who have received support from the Ministry of ICT.

Dr.Zawedde said the  dissemination workshop is the first step in disseminating these vital guidelines across the nation.

“ We will be hosting similar workshops in other regions, ensuring that every Ugandan innovator has access to this critical information.  We believe that by equipping our innovators with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their IP, we are not just protecting their creations; we are investing in the future of Uganda.”