The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has rolled out a new national campaign, UGYouth4IP, to drive intellectual property (IP) awareness among young people and boost innovation as a pillar for personal and national development.
Launched under the theme “Unlocking Youth Potential through IP Awareness for National Development,” the initiative targets university students, content creators, young lawyers, creatives, and young professionals within URSB.
It aims to bridge the knowledge gap around intellectual property and encourage youth to protect and commercialize their innovations.
The campaign was unveiled at URSB headquarters in Kololo by the Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Hon. Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi. Applauding the initiative, he emphasized the importance of equipping Uganda’s largely youthful population—with 78% under the age of 30—with tools to transform creativity into tangible economic contributions.
“Youth are a reservoir of creativity and entrepreneurship,” Dr. Barugahara said. “Protecting and monetizing their ideas is vital to driving inclusive economic growth and ensuring Uganda benefits from its demographic dividend.”
URSB Board Chairman, H.E. Amb. Francis Butagira, echoed this sentiment, calling youth Uganda’s “greatest asset” and stressing the need for accessible tools to help them safeguard their brands and inventions.
URSB Registrar General, Mercy K. Kainobwisho, the architect of the UGYouth4IP campaign, described it as more than a program—“a movement” aimed at demystifying intellectual property and positioning it as a strategic asset for the next generation.
“Intellectual property is the bridge between an idea and its impact,” Kainobwisho said. “URSB is here to help young people cross that bridge, protect their creativity, and earn from it.”
The launch event featured panel discussions, a keynote address, and real-life success stories from young innovators who’ve successfully navigated the IP system.
Attendees also received practical insights into IP frameworks and how to leverage them for innovation.
URSB reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with government, private sector, and development partners to create an enabling environment for young innovators to thrive.
The UGYouth4IP campaign is part of URSB’s broader strategy to position intellectual property at the heart of Uganda’s innovation and development agenda.
