A delegation from the Intellectual Property Department of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), alongside officials from Zambia’s Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), visited the UNIPOD Innovation Hub at Makerere University to explore how innovation ecosystems can strengthen intellectual property protection and commercialization.
The delegation, led by URSB Commissioner for Intellectual Property Mugabe Robert, was received by Cathy Ikiror Mbidde, who guided the team through the hub and outlined its key milestones since its establishment. UNIPOD, a collaborative innovation platform, supports students, researchers, and entrepreneurs in transforming ideas into viable products and startups.
During the tour, the visitors were introduced to several student- and staff-led innovations developed within the hub. Dr. Ikiror explained how UNIPOD provides innovators with mentorship, technical support, and incubation programs designed to accelerate the journey from concept development to market-ready solutions.
Discussions also highlighted the critical role of intellectual property systems in protecting inventions, attracting investment, and enabling innovators to scale their solutions. Officials examined how innovation hubs can work closely with IP institutions to ensure that creators receive legal protection and commercial guidance early in the innovation cycle.
The visit served as a platform for knowledge exchange on innovation management and intellectual property governance. It also underscored the growing regional interest in strengthening partnerships between innovation hubs and regulatory institutions to foster entrepreneurship and technology-driven development across Africa.