Daren Tang, the WIPO Director General, upon being received by URSB Registrar General, Mercy Kainobwisho
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda is set to register significant progress in its innovation and intellectual property (IP) agenda as the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Daren Tang, arrives in Kampala for a high-level mission scheduled from December 3–5, 2025.
The three-day visit marks one of the most important WIPO engagements in Uganda in recent years, signalling global recognition of the country’s growing efforts to strengthen its IP ecosystem.
The visit is expected to boost Uganda’s push for an innovation-driven economy by enhancing cooperation with WIPO, attracting global visibility for local innovators, and reinforcing government initiatives aimed at protecting and commercialising intellectual property.
As the national IP office, the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) will lead the week’s major activities.
URSB Registrar General, Mercy K. Kainobwisho, described the mission as a transformative moment.
“As the national IP office, URSB is proud to lead this historic engagement. We look forward to showcasing the strides we have made from expanding IP awareness to nurturing innovation in schools and across industries.
This mission will deepen our collaboration with WIPO and accelerate Uganda’s journey toward an innovation-driven economy. It is an exciting opportunity for the country, and we are ready to seize it,” she said.
A major highlight will be the December 5 engagement, where Tang will tour school innovation exhibitions and observe the growing impact of the IP in Schools Program. The event will also provide a platform for high-level dialogue between WIPO officials and senior government leaders.
During his mission, Tang will meet with key government officials, including the Ministers of Justice and Constitutional Affairs; Foreign Affairs; and Science, Technology, and Innovation.
He will also meet the Speaker of Parliament before paying a courtesy call on President Yoweri Museveni, further cementing Uganda’s commitment to leveraging intellectual property for national development.
The WIPO delegation includes senior officials from the Africa Division and Development Cooperation, supported by an inter-agency organising committee coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and URSB.
Kainobwisho further said the visit signals Uganda’s rising profile in global innovation.
“Uganda’s innovation landscape is entering a defining moment. The visit of the WIPO Director General reaffirms our nation’s growing influence in the global IP community and highlights the remarkable progress we are making in supporting creators, researchers, and young innovators. Our IP ecosystem is stronger, more vibrant, and more future-focused than ever before,” she noted.
With expectations high, the mission is projected to deepen WIPO–Uganda cooperation, accelerate IP-led development initiatives, and shine a spotlight on Uganda’s ambition to empower innovators across the country.
About the Author
