The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is spearheading efforts to strengthen copyright protection and unlock the economic potential of Uganda’s creative industry as Kampala hosts the Symposium on Copyright and Related Rights Management from October 19 to 21, 2026.
The symposium, taking place at Speke Resort Munyonyo, is organised in partnership with the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) under the theme “Empowering Creativity: Harnessing IP for Sustainable Development in Africa.”
The three-day engagement brings together policymakers, intellectual property experts, creators, rights holders and industry stakeholders to explore practical ways of strengthening copyright administration, improving royalty management and promoting the commercialisation of creative works.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, emphasised the importance of effective legal frameworks in protecting creators and supporting the growth of the creative economy.
“Copyright protection must translate into tangible benefits for creators. Our legal and institutional frameworks should enable artists, writers, filmmakers and other innovators to protect their work, earn from their talent and contribute meaningfully to national development,” Mao said.
ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening intellectual property systems across Africa.
He said collaboration among intellectual property offices and other stakeholders was essential to building effective copyright systems that protect creative works, promote commercialisation and expand opportunities for creators across the continent.
URSB Board Chairman Francis K. Butagira said intellectual property could play a significant role in driving economic transformation.
He noted that protecting and commercialising creative works could support enterprise growth, attract investment, create employment and ensure that Africa’s cultural and creative resources contribute to sustainable development.
URSB Registrar General Mustapher Ntale said the symposium reflected the Bureau’s commitment to helping Ugandans understand, protect and derive economic value from their intellectual assets.
“Creativity must be supported by systems that respect ownership, facilitate fair remuneration and enable creators to build sustainable livelihoods. Through awareness, effective administration and stakeholder collaboration, we can help unlock the value of Uganda’s creative potential,” Ntale said.
The symposium will also examine challenges affecting the creative sector, including piracy, licensing and the exploitation of digital content. Participants are expected to discuss the Kampala Protocol on Voluntary Registration of Copyright and Related Rights, adopted in August 2021 under the ARIPO framework.
The discussions come amid growing recognition of the role intellectual property can play in supporting artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers and other creative professionals to earn from their work while expanding opportunities for investment and employment.
Through the symposium, URSB and its partners seek to strengthen copyright management, promote respect for intellectual property rights and encourage greater commercialisation of creative works.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to build an environment in which creativity supports innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation and sustainable economic development in Uganda and across Africa.