PCT NATIONAL PHASE ENTRY
Uganda

Uganda has been a Contracting Party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property since June 14, 1965. It became a Contracting Party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) on February 09, 1995, and is also a signatory to the Patent Law Treaty (PLT). Additionally, Uganda is a member of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

In Uganda, a PCT national phase application must be filed within 31 months from the priority date of the original PCT application.

If the PCT application was filed in a language other than English, a translation of the specification into English is required for national phase entry in Uganda.

In Uganda, late filing of patent applications is not permitted, as no extensions are granted beyond the prescribed deadlines.

Power of attorney: A Power of Attorney signed by the applicant must be submitted at the Patent Office with no requirement for notarization or legalization.

No cost exemption is available for patent application in Uganda.

The Office will conduct or arrange for the substantive examination of patent applications. A request for examination must be submitted within three years from the international filing date.

In Uganda, renewal fees for patents are paid annually, starting from the second anniversary of the filing date and continuing until the 20th year. A grace period of 6 months is provided for late payment. Renewal fees are paid annually after the patent is granted.

In Uganda, the standard term for a patent is 20 years from the filing date of the application.

In the 2024 Global Innovation Index, Uganda is ranked 121st out of 133 economies. The country’s strengths in the GII include low-carbon energy usage, gross capital formation, and high-tech imports.

Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa," it boasts a rich diversity of landscapes, including tropical rainforests, savannahs, and the snow-capped Rwenzori Mountains. Uganda is home to the source of the Nile River and hosts a significant portion of the world’s remaining mountain gorillas. Its economy is primarily based on agriculture, with coffee being a major export. Uganda has a youthful and rapidly growing population, with over 75% under the age of 30. Despite facing challenges such as poverty, corruption, and health crises, the country has made progress in areas like education and infrastructure development.