Ugandan in innovators have been asked to always focus on coming up with unique innovations which can help people in solving people’s challenges that have persisted for centuries instead of duplicating the already existing ones.
While officiating the grand opening of First Annual Intellectual Property (IP) conference in the country at a function held at Four Points Hotel Kampala, Dr. Amina Zawedde the Permanent Secretary of Minsitry of Information Communication Technology (ICT) revealed that they organized this event with a view of empowering and equipping innovators with the required knowledge , resources and opportunities associated with I.P
“Intellectual Property can be successfully implemented through working together with other key players in this field. We should support everyone one in the eco system including women and people with disability.” Remarked Zawedde
She pointed out that, most women are good innovators but they lack knowledge about Intellectual Property which gives a Chance to other individuals to snatch their work and earn huge sums of money without recognizing the true owners.
Zawedde also expressed the need for increase sensitization among the masses on the same topic so that i. future all Ugandans can be in position to register their innovations comfortably using the available online platforms.
Mercy Kanabwisho, the Registrar General of Uganda Registration Bureau (URSB), expressed concern about the lower number of Ugandans registering their innovations.
“Its is surprising to find that despite of the conducive environment, good education and safe space we have in the country, Ugandans are so reluctant when it comes to innovating. I thank the Minsitry of ICT for organizing this conference because its going to open people’s eyes especially on matter ls related to Intellectual Property.”
Kainebwisho therefore advised all women to compete for space instead of complaining about being left behind.
Hon Muhamad Nsereko , a member of ICT Parliamentary Committee urged innovators to not only design applications aimed at easing Information Communication Technology (ICT) related services, but should also think about tapping in sectors like Medicine , Fashion Design as well as Construction which may be more profitable.
“Why Should you focus on coming up with an app that guides people on simple things that already been addressed by others when we are still grappling with a number of challenges for decades now? We need to some one who can come up with a solution that can reverse the effects of stroke in a human being.”
He promised to support any innovator who will come up with such through all means possible.
Nkurunungi Gideon , the Chief Executive Officer of ICT Association of Uganda, revealed that they have used the conference to launch a tool kit about Intellectual Property guidelines which is going to enable all local innovators to compete world wide.
“We worked with the Ministry of ICT to come up with this tool kit as a guiding tool which we shall use to measure the impact of Intellectual Property on the innovators.”
The conference ran under a theme: “Harnessing IP in the Digital Era to advance gender equality.”
