Minister Elioda Calls for More Female Innovators as URSB Marks Intellectual Property Day

Uganda has Thursday joined the rest of the world to commemorate the World Intellectual Property Day celebrated annually in a colorful event held at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

The event hosted by Uganda Registration Service Bureau (URSB) brought together experts in the areas of agriculture, health, environment, music and arts industry who discussed, shared ideas and inspired women to be change makers as elaborated in this year’s theme ‘Powering change, women in innovation and creativity’.

“Let’s celebrate the resourcefulness and bravery of women who are driving change in our world and helping shape our common future” said, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, the Minister of State for Science and Technology who represented Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.

Dr Elioda Tumwesigye revealed that innovation is very crucial for Uganda to realize economic growth because through innovation, specific community needs are met and addressed in a more comprehensive way.

According to Elioda, with less than 30% of women involved in science and research as per UNESCO findings, Uganda needs to work hard to beat the odd with better education and plans for the girl child in reference to science and technology.

“I am impressed and happy to report that 40% of registered business in Uganda are registered by women. The rest is attributed to the men and we feel more women need to take up the tools available in their space to challenge the gender gaps,” the Minister said.

The URSB Registrar General, Bamanya Twebaze acknowledged the value of women as innovators with creative capacity but was quick to say that many have not fully exploited the available opportunities. He explained that those engaged in small and medium size enterprises still lack awareness on intellectual property rights or protection required for their intervention, brands and designs.

“URSB on this day has chosen to rewrite the story by providing training, availing women with mentors and sensitizing them about the benefits of Intellectual Property protection while utilizing the available platform with the summit being just of the several to encourage innovation,” Twebaze said.

With most of the message focused around women and how they can use their position to transform, inspire and be an example to the young generation, SoftPower News spoke to Kyomuhendo Phyllis, co-founder of Mobile Scan Solution Uganda (MSCAN-Uganda), a digital mobile Utra scan service helping reduce child mortality among the rural poor in Uganda.

MSCAN is aimed at giving an end to maternal mortality regardless of the conditions of the beneficiaries, we have tried this at Bugembe Health centre three in Jinja and saved three at risk kids from dying by diagnosing their problems and referring them for further medical support with the help of our mobile scan and laptops.

“For us as innovators, this is the most affordable, accessible and portable utra scan system yet to storm the Ugandan market as opposed to the conventional Ultral scan technology, however the challenge of pessimism and funding continues to hinder their progress level,” Kyomuhendo said.

Minister Elioda said this will be addressed with the current proposed innovation funds and creation of an innovation café where innovators will take advantage of free work space and save cost.

Eminent women who have played a critical role in inspiring other women in Uganda graced the occasion, notable among them; Maria Ndagire, Ms. Joanita Kawalya, Iren Namubiru, Ms Halima Namakula all from the music and film industry, Dr Gudula Basaza an agriculturalist, Santa Anzo and Silvia owori from the fashion world.