Kampala hosted this year’s World Intellectual Property Day celebrations with a strong call to treat sports as more than entertainment, but as a growing business powered by ideas, talent and protection of rights.
The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) led the commemoration at the Uganda Business Facilitation Centre in Kololo under the global theme “IP and Sports: Set, Ready, Innovate.” The gathering brought together government officials, sports leaders, students, broadcasters and innovators, all focused on how intellectual property can shape the future of Uganda’s sports economy.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Chief Guest, pointed to ongoing education reforms aimed at shifting learning towards practical skills. She said the competence-based curriculum being rolled out across schools is designed to nurture creativity early, giving space for innovation to grow in areas such as sports, technology and the arts.
From the justice sector, Permanent Secretary Robert Kasande highlighted the importance of strong legal systems in protecting innovation. He said Uganda’s intellectual property framework, anchored by URSB, is key to supporting economic growth and giving creators confidence that their work is protected.
URSB Board Chairman, Rt. Hon. Amb. Francis Butagira, said Uganda’s development ambitions depend heavily on how well innovation is protected and commercialised. He stressed that intellectual property is no longer a technical issue but a national development tool that can turn ideas into income and jobs.
Registrar General Mercy K. Kainobwisho emphasized the need to unlock value from sports talent. She noted that athletes, clubs and creatives can only fully benefit from their work if their brands, images and innovations are properly protected and commercialised.
Private sector players also weighed in. MultiChoice Uganda PR and Communications Manager Rinaldi Jamugisa said intellectual property sustains the global sports ecosystem by ensuring that investments in broadcasting rights, such as those for the FIFA World Cup, feed back into player development and sports growth.
The event drew participation from the National Council of Sports and federation leaders, including FUFA President Moses Magogo, reflecting the close link between governance and sports development.
The celebrations ended with a university moot court competition, where Islamic University in Uganda and Uganda Christian University advanced to the finals, showcasing growing legal interest in intellectual property.
URSB reaffirmed its commitment to protecting ideas and ensuring innovation translates into real economic value.