Patents Act (Chapter 216).

The Patents Act (Chapter 216) of Uganda establishes the legal framework for the protection, registration, and administration of patents. It defines key terms, creates the Patents Registry, and sets out procedures for applying for, examining, granting, and recording patents. The Act outlines the criteria for patentability—such as novelty, inventive step, and industrial applicability—and provides rules governing the rights of patent holders, including exclusive rights to exploit the invention and mechanisms for assignment, licensing, and transmission of patent rights. The Act further regulates patent enforcement, revocation, and invalidation, as well as compulsory licensing in circumstances where public interest or non-working of a patent requires intervention. It establishes procedures for disputes, appeals, and evidentiary matters before the Registrar and courts, while also addressing offences related to false representations and improper use of patent rights. Overall, the legislation aims to promote technological innovation and regulate the ownership, use, and protection of inventions within Uganda’s intellectual property system.