URSB Unveils First Case Digest to Strengthen Uganda’s Legal Framework

The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) has launched its inaugural Case Digest, marking a significant milestone in promoting transparency and legal certainty within Uganda’s commercial justice system.

Speaking at the launch event at the URSB headquarters in Kololo, the Guest of Honour, Hon. Justice Mike Chibita, emphasised the transformative impact of this publication: “This Case Digest serves as an indispensable resource; a practical compass guiding us toward greater clarity, efficiency, and fairness in the administration of justice, particularly in matters that drive our economy,” he said.

Justice Chibita added that the Case Digest arrives at an opportune time and will positively affect the business community. “By distilling key rulings and legal principles, it will serve as a valuable resource for judges, lawyers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, promoting predictability, consistency, and confidence in our legal frameworks,” he noted.

The comprehensive digest features decisions made by URSB Registrars in their quasi-judicial capacity, covering company matters, intellectual property disputes, including trademark oppositions and copyright objections, and insolvency proceedings. Additionally, it includes notable court decisions where URSB was a party, creating a valuable repository of legal precedents.

The URSB Board Chairman, Rt. Hon. Amb. Canon Francis K. Butagira, noted that the digest represents more than a compilation of legal decisions, describing it as “a testament to our commitment to transparency, in dispensing commercial justice information, public sensitisation and our commitment to business formalisation and economic development.”

On her part, Registrar General Ms. Mercy K. Kainobwisho highlighted the publication’s broader significance: “By documenting these decisions, we are not only promoting transparency but also creating a repository of legal knowledge that will guide practitioners, businesses, scholars, and the public. This Digest will serve as a tool for education, precedent, and the continuous evolution of our legal system.”

Commissioner Legal Services Ms. Caroline T. Egesa emphasised the practical benefits for Uganda’s economy, stating that “legal predictability is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for investment, innovation, and inclusive growth.”

The Case Digest addresses critical uncertainties faced by businesses, from trademark protection to secured transactions, providing clear precedents that will reduce litigation and enhance legal advisory services. For small and medium enterprises, innovators, and creditors, the digest offers accessible guidance through URSB’s quasi-judicial functions, delivering “justice without robes” that is swifter and more accessible than traditional court proceedings.

URSB has committed to regular publication of the Case Digest, with plans for continuous improvement and expansion. The bureau invites all stakeholders—government agencies, judiciary, private sector, and development partners—to actively engage with this resource and contribute to future editions.

The launch event was attended by distinguished members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, academia, government representatives, and business leaders, demonstrating broad support for this initiative to strengthen Uganda’s legal and business environment.