Patents in Uganda are granted for inventions that demonstrate novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability. Applicants may file directly with URSB or opt for ARIPO’s Harare Protocol route for extended coverage.
Patents typically remain in force for 20 years from the date of filing, subject to annual maintenance fees.
A detailed specification, claims, and relevant documentation must be submitted.
A substantive examination ensures compliance with patentability criteria.
Uganda’s membership in the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) further allows international applicants to enter the national phase after a single global filing.
When a patent is granted, owners gain exclusive rights to exploit the invention in Uganda and may pursue legal actions against infringers within local courts.