By George Bukenya
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, argued Ugandans to embrace the value of innovation and foster a conducive environment for creativity which she says will contribute to building a common future for Uganda.
She made the remarks while presiding over the function organized by Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to commemorate the World Intellectual day at the body’s Kololo offices in Kampala on April 26, 2024.
Nabbanja who was accompanied by the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Norbert Mao said that the future is driven by innovation, creativity, and guided by the principles of sustainable development as envisioned in the UNDP national development plan.
“Intellectual Property is a very critical incentive for innovation and creativity, which are also a key to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) success. Stories of how individual inventors, companies and other organizations find solutions to social, economic, health and environmental challenges are a powerful reminder of our collective capacity to achieve the SDGs and the role that Intellectual Property rights play in this,” the Prime Minister argued.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Norbert Mao argued leaders to always tell good stories about what is happening in Uganda. He said that government need to give radical instructions about how people communicate in the country.
Mao also said that the Intellectual Property Systems will should be synonymous with finding solutions to the causes of climate change and help mitigate the resulting challenges.
“ Access to affordable and sustainable environmental friendly energies is a crucial factor for economic development, poverty eradication as well as improving the welfare for the citizens. Achieving such a goal needs us to embrace innovative approaches and protection of intellectual property right of citizens which is a key incentive for development of new technologies and solutions.’’ Mao reasoned.
He also advised the youth to free their mind saying that they should not enslave their minds with what they studied at the University because this may deter them from progressing.
While Ms. Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative commended the value of creativity noting that the creative industry activities for instance; arts, fashion, crafts, advertising, design, entertainment, architecture, literature, media, software and more had become a vital force in accelerating human development.
“Innovation empowers people to take ownership of their own development and stimulate creative solutions that can drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth.’’ She said.
Ms. Nwanne further said, “ the creative economy can serve as a source of structural economic transformation, social-economic progress, job creation and innovation, while contributing to social inclusion, advancing shared cultural values, and sustainable human development.’’
The Intellectual Property Day festivities was also attended by key figures like Makerere University VC, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Onesmus Kansiime, a Senior Knowledge Officer at the SDG Secretariat, Dr. Mary Suzan Abbo, Managing Director CREEC, Mercy K. Kainobwisho the Registrar General, and Civil Society’s Kenneth Mugisha.
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