The Assistant Commissioner for Patents and Industrial Designs at the Uganda Registration Service Bureau, Mr James Tonny Lubwama, has commended Kyambogo University for developing its Intellectual Property Policy. However, he identified policy implementation as a challenge that is puzzling many institutions. He reiterated the Uganda Registration Service Bureau’s role in supporting implementation through capacity-building initiatives. He challenged university researchers and management to translate research into products that contribute to national development and into viable commercial entities. He added that when research interventions align with the National Development Agenda, securing funding becomes easier. He revealed that the university has filed four patents and one utility model with the Bureau so far. He appreciated this gesture as demonstrating the university’s capacity. He outlined the university’s potential, given its many innovations, but stressed the need for intentional steps to tap into them. The Commissioner said this at the inaugural training on intellectual property, research, innovation, and commercialisation on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, in NPT at Kyambogo University.
During the same training, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, Assoc. Prof. Justus Kwetegyeka, stressed the need to shift from basic science research to product-based research that generates funds. He thanked the government for funding research in universities and researchers for their commitment to continuous research, noting that staff requisitions to carry out research total ten billion, while available funds amount to four billion.
The DVC, F&A, addressing participants during the training.
The University Secretary, Mr Arthur Katongole, encouraged researchers to pursue research that solves societal problems, adding that the university and researchers are responsible for contributing to the government’s target of a tenfold growth strategy. He emphasised the university’s commitment to focus on agro-industrialisation, tourism, oil and gas, and science, technology and innovation.
Some of the participants pose for a group photo after the training
Members of Top Management, the Intellectual Property Management Committee, the Kyambogo University Research and Innovations Fund Grants Management Committee, and selected academic staff involved in research and innovation with practical knowledge attended the training, which was facilitated by the Uganda Registration Service Bureau.