The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has called on athletes, sports clubs, and innovators to take intellectual property (IP) seriously and protect their brands as Uganda positions itself in the growing sports economy.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Board Chairman during the World Intellectual Property Day celebrations 2026, Board Member Tereza Namwach said Uganda is sitting on untapped value in sports that must be secured through proper IP registration.
She noted that Uganda continues to produce world-class talent, but many athletes and clubs have not taken steps to protect their names, logos, and innovations. “Our athletes carry not just the flag, but also personal brands with global potential. These must be protected,” she said.
Namwach pointed to increasing international interest in Africa’s sports economy, including recent multi-million-dollar investments targeting sports rights and infrastructure. She said Uganda must be ready to benefit by putting in place strong systems that protect and commercialize IP.
She also highlighted the government’s development agenda under the Fourth National Development Plan, which prioritises sports and creative industries as drivers of growth, jobs, and innovation.
Namwach said URSB is working to make IP registration faster, more accessible, and affordable, while expanding awareness among athletes, media houses, and sports enterprises.
She urged stakeholders to take action and turn talent into protected assets.