The Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) is continuing to invest in the creativity and talents of young Ugandans through a mentorship programme aimed at identifying and developing future innovators. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), seeks to encourage students to use their knowledge and creativity to develop new ideas that can address challenges in society.
In the second phase of the WIPO K-12 Students’ Innovation Mentorship Programme, URSB officials extended their activities to Ndejje Senior Secondary School, Comboni College in Lira, and Dr. Obote College in Boroboro. The visits were intended to follow up on the students’ projects, assess their development and ensure that the young innovators receive the necessary support before the final competition.
The exercise was led by Mr. Kafunjo Twinomujuni, URSB’s Assistant Commissioner for Traditional Knowledge, who guided the team in reviewing the different projects presented by learners. The officials examined the students’ work and provided technical recommendations to help them improve the quality, effectiveness and practical application of their innovations.
During the engagements, learners had the opportunity to explain their ideas, demonstrate what they had developed and receive feedback from the visiting experts. The guidance is expected to help them identify weaknesses, make necessary adjustments and present stronger projects when they eventually compete in the final stage.
URSB believes that schools are important centres for discovering and nurturing young talent. Through the programme, students are encouraged to become creative thinkers who can identify problems within their communities and use their abilities to develop solutions instead of simply relying on ideas created by others.
The mentorship also focuses on educating learners about intellectual property and the importance of safeguarding original creations. Students are introduced to ways of protecting their inventions and creative works so that their efforts are recognised and their ideas are not unfairly copied or used by other people.
The collaboration between URSB and WIPO is also helping introduce intellectual property knowledge to learners at an early age. This is expected to create greater awareness about innovation, ownership of ideas and the value of creativity, while preparing students to explore opportunities in science, technology, entrepreneurship and other fields.
As preparations for the final competition continue, URSB’s engagement with the three schools is expected to give participating students a stronger foundation for developing their projects. The programme reflects the bureau’s commitment to nurturing a generation of young Ugandans who can transform creative thinking into meaningful inventions and contribute to the country’s development.
