WIPO - PCT Applicant's Guide UG - Uganda
Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)

    Applicable as from 1 April 2025
    (published on 20 March 2025)

    Summary of latest changes in this version
    RO: RO fees, Electronic filing, Incorporation by reference, Color drawings Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase: Restoration of the right of priority, Reinstatement of rights

    Consult the full list of the changes

    Previous version(s): You can consult previous versions of the document. The only applicable version is the current version.
    15 Sep 2023, 1 Nov 2023, 1 Jan 2024, 1 Mar 2024, 1 Jul 2024, 25 Jul 2024, 1 Dec 2024, 1 Jan 2025, Current Version

    Useful information

    The PCT Applicant’s Guide is updated almost every week with information received by the International Bureau.
    In case of question, please contact the Office or the International Bureau: pct.guide@wipo.int.
    List of abbreviations used in this document:
    Office: Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
    UPA: The Industrial Property Act, 2014
    UPR: The Industrial Property Regulations, 2017
    List of currencies used in this document:
    UGX (Uganda Shilling), USD (US dollar)
    Countries and Offices information:
    The list of acronyms used for Offices is no longer shown as it has been integrated in the mouseover functionality for each ST.3 code shown in this document.
    Refer to List of WIPO Standards, Recommendations and Guidelines formerly Annex K, List of country names and two-letter codes. It includes a list of short names and two-letter codes accepted for use in indicating States, other entities and intergovernmental organizations and their Offices in documents relating to international applications under the PCT. The list is as set out in WIPO Standard ST.3.
    Also refer to PCT Contracting States formerly Annex A.
    Office profile
    For more technical information about the Office, refer to ePCT Office profile.
    PCT Reservations, Declarations, Notifications and Incompatibilities
    The Office does not have any reservations, declarations, notifications or incompatibilities.
    Refer to the full list.
    Office Closed dates
    The Office is closed weekly on Saturday and Sunday
    Additional closed dates can be consulted on the Office Closed dates page

    International Phase

    Annex B - Information on Contracting States or Intergovernmental Organization

    Contracting State:
    Uganda
    Two-letter code:
    UG
    Name of Office:
    Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB)
    Location:
    Plot 5 George Street
    Georgian House
    Kampala
    Uganda
    Mailing address:
    P.O. Box 6848
    Kampala
    Uganda
    Telephone:
    (256-41) 733 80 00
    (256-41) 733 81 00
    E-mail:
    ursb@ursb.go.ug
    Website:
    Facsimile:
    None
    Does the Office accept the filing of documents by facsimile or the like means (PCT Rule 92.4)?
    Yes, by e-mail
    Which kinds of documents may be so transmitted?
    All kinds of documents
    Must the original of the document be furnished in all cases?
    Yes, within one month from the date of the transmission, if the transmitted document is the international application or a replacement sheet containing corrections or amendments of the international application
    No, only upon invitation in the case of other documents
    Would the Office accept evidence of mailing a document, in case of loss or delay, where a delivery service other than the postal authorities is used (PCT Rule 82.1)?
    Yes
    Is the Office prepared to allow applicants to make applications available to the WIPO Digital Access Service for Priority Documents (DAS) (PCT Rule 17.1(b-bis)?
    More information about WIPO DAS is available at: https://www.wipo.int/en/web/das.
    No
    Competent receiving Office(s) for international applications filed by nationals or residents of this State:
    AP, 
    IB, 
    UG
    Does national legislation restrict the filing of international applications with foreign Offices?
    Industrial Property Act, 2014, Sections 14 and 15
    Yes, filing restrictions apply to:
    Persons resident in Uganda are required to seek written authorization to file outside Uganda if such filing is less than six weeks from the filing of a national application. Additionally, an application that has been deemed to contain information prejudicial to security of Uganda or safety of the public may not be filed as an international patent application.
    Competent designated (or elected) Office(s) for this State:
    National protection: UG
    ARIPO protection: AP
    Types of protection available via the PCT:
    National:
    Patents, 
    Utility certificates

    ARIPO:
    Patents, 
    Utility models (a utility model may be sought instead of or in addition to an ARIPO patent)
    Payment methods accepted by the Office:
    Refer to the Office
    Availability under the national law for an international-type search (PCT Article 15):
    Section 30 of the Industrial Property Act, 2014
    Provisional protection after international publication:
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of a national patent:
    Relief may be sought in respect of acts committed before the grant of the patent but after the date on which the international publication was effected in English. Where the international publication was effected in a language other than English, relief may be sought provided that the applicant had transmitted an English translation of the international application to the infringer and only in respect of acts committed by the latter after he had received the translation.
    Where the designation is made for the purposes of an ARIPO patent:
    None
    Information of interest if this Contracting State is designated (or elected)
    For national protection
    Time when the name and address of the inventor must be given:
    Must be in the request. If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Are there special provisions concerning the deposit of microorganisms and other biological material?
    Yes, refer to Annex L.
    For an ARIPO patent
    Refer to Annex B(AP)

    Annex C - Receiving Office

    Competent receiving Office for nationals and residents of:
    Uganda
    Language in which international applications may be filed:
    English
    Language accepted for language-dependent free text in the sequence listing:
    Same as above
    Number of copies required by the receiving Office if application filed on paper:
    3
    Does the receiving Office accept the filing of international applications in electronic form?
    For the relevant notifications by the Office, refer to Official Notices (PCT Gazette) dated 13 February 2020, pages 20 et seq. and 11 August 2022, page 220.
    Where the international application is filed in electronic form in accordance with and to the extent provided for in Part 7 and Annex F of the Administrative Instructions, the total amount of the international filing fee is reduced (refer to “Fees payable to the RO”).
    Where the international application contains a sequence listing as a separate part of the description, this should be furnished in accordance with Annex C of the Administrative Instructions, that is, in compliance with WIPO Standard ST.26 XML format; no fees are due for sequence listings filed in this format.
    Yes, the Office accepts electronic filing via ePCT-Filing
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of pre-conversion documents and, if yes, in which format (Section 706 of the PCT Administrative Instructions)?
    Yes, any format
    Does the receiving Office accept incorporation by reference (PCT Rule 20.6)?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept the submission of color drawings on an informal basis and transmit them to the International Bureau?
    Yes
    Does the receiving Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests
    Competent International Searching Authority:
    AT, 
    EP, 
    SG
    Competent International Preliminary Examining Authority:
    AT
    EP
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office or by the Austrian Patent Office.
    SG
    The Office is competent only if the international search is or has been carried out by that Office.
    Fees payable to the RO:
    Transmittal fee:
    Please refer to the Office.
    International filing fee:
    This fee is reduced by 90% if certain conditions apply (refer to Annex C(IB)).
    Equivalent in UGX of 1,456 USD
    Fee per sheet in excess of 30:
    Equivalent in UGX of 16 USD
    Reductions (under Schedule of Fees, item 4):
    Electronic filing (the request in character coded format):
    Equivalent in UGX of 219 USD
    Electronic filing (the request, description, claims and abstract in character coded format):
    Equivalent in UGX of 328 USD
    Search fee:
    Equivalent amount in UGX of the search fee payable to the International Searching Authority:
    Refer to
    Annex D(AT)
    Annex D(EP)
    Annex D(SG)
    Fee for priority document (PCT Rule 17.1(b)):
    Please refer to the Office.
    Fee for requesting restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 26bis.3(d)):
    Please refer to the Office.
    Is an agent required by the receiving Office?
    No, if the applicant resides in Uganda
    Yes, if the applicant is a non-resident
    Who can act as agent?
    Any advocate of the High Court of Uganda
    Waiver of power of attorney:
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a separate power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office
    Has the Office waived the requirement that a copy of a general power of attorney be submitted?
    Refer to the Office

    Annex L - Deposits of Microorganisms and Other Biological Material

    Requirements of designated and elected Offices
    Only Offices whose applicable national law contains provisions concerning the deposits of microorganisms and other biological material are listed in Annex L. Unless otherwise indicated, deposits may be made for the purposes of patent procedure before these Offices with any depositary institution having acquired the status of international depositary authority under the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure.
    For a list of these institutions refer to:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/pdf/idalist.pdf (and the detailed requirements for each institution at: https://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/section_d/subsection_c.html)
    Notifications related thereto may be consulted under:
    http://www.wipo.int/treaties/en/registration/budapest/
    Further information concerning the requirements of international depository authorities under the Budapest Treaty is available at:
    http://www.wipo.int/budapest/en/guide/index.html
    Time (if any) earlier than 16 months from priority date by which applicant must furnish:
    — the indications prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii):
    At the time of filing (furnishing of the date of deposit of the biological material is not necessary)
    — any additional indications:
    None
    Additional indications (if any) which must be given besides those prescribed in Rule 13bis.3(a)(i) to (iii) pursuant to notifications from the Office:
    To the extent available to the applicant, relevant information on the characteristics of the biological material
    Additional information
    Where a deposited micro-organism ceases to be available from the institution with which it was deposited because the micro-organism is no longer viable, or for any other reason the depository institution is unable to supply samples, and if the micro-organism has not been transferred to another depository institution from which it continues to be available, an interruption in availability shall not be taken to have occurred if a new deposit of the micro-organism originally deposited is made within three months from the date on which the person who deposited it is notified of the interruption by the depository institution and a copy of the receipt of the deposit issued by the institution is forwarded to the registry within four months from the date of the new deposit stating the number of the application or of the patent. A new deposit shall be accompanied by a statement signed by the person making the deposit indicating that the newly deposited micro-organism is the same as that originally deposited.

    National Phase

    Summary of requirements for entry into the national phase

    Time limits applicable for entry into the national phase:
    Under PCT Article 22(1): 30 months from the priority date
    Under PCT Article 39(1)(b): 31 months from the priority date
    Does the Office permit reinstatement of rights (PCT Rule 49.6)?
    Yes
    Translation of international application required into (one of) the following language(s):
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    English
    Required contents of the translation for entry into the national phase:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Under PCT Article 22: Description, claims (if amended, as amended only, together with any statement under PCT Article 19), any text matter of drawings, abstract
    Under PCT Article 39(1): Description, claims, any text matter of drawings, abstract (if any of those parts has been amended, only as amended by the annexes to the international preliminary examination report)
    Is a copy of the international application required in particular circumstances?
    No
    Does the Office accept color drawings under its national law?
    Refer to the Office
    National fees:
    Must be furnished or paid within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1).
    Natural persons or legal entities not having their residence or principal place of business in Uganda must effect payment in US dollar.
    Patents
    National processing fee
    60,000 UGX
    150 USD
    Publication fee
    50,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Grant fee
    90,000 UGX
    100 USD
    Annual fee for the 2nd year
    This fee is due, where PCT Article 22 applies, within 30 months from the priority date; where Article 39(1) applies, it is due within 31 months from the priority date. Late payment of annual fees is permitted subject to the payment of a surcharge
    50,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Utility certificates
    National processing fee
    30,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Exemptions, reductions or refunds of fees:
    None
    Special requirements of the Office (PCT Rule 51bis):
    If not already complied with within the time limit applicable under PCT Article 22 or 39(1), the Office will invite the applicant to comply with the requirement within a time limit fixed in the invitation.
    Appointment of an agent if the applicant is not resident in Uganda
    Translation of the application in triplicate
    Who can act as agent?
    Any advocate of the High Court of Uganda
    Does the Office accept the effect of restoration of the right of priority by the receiving Office (PCT Rule 49ter.1)?
    Yes
    Does the Office accept requests for restoration of the right of priority (PCT Rule 49ter.2)?
    Yes, please refer to the Office for the applicable criteria and/or any fee payable for such requests

    The procedure in the national Phase

    UG.01 TRANSLATION (CORRECTION)
    Errors in the translation of the international application can be corrected with reference to the text of the international application as filed (refer to National Phase, paragraphs 6.002 and 6.003).
    UG.02 FEES (MANNER OF PAYMENT)
    The manner of payment of the fees indicated in the Summary and in this Chapter is outlined in Annex UG.I.
    UG.03 AMENDMENT OF THE APPLICATION; TIME LIMITS
    PCT Art. 28, 
    PCT Art. 41, 
    UPA Section 23, 
    UPR Reg. 15

    The applicant may amend or correct the claims, description and drawings of the international application at any time before the grant of the patent, provided that the scope of the subject matter of the application is not broadened thereby. An application may not be amended more than twice.
    UG.04 EXAMINATION
    UPA Section 31, 
    UPR Reg. 24

    The Office will examine or provide for the examination of patent applications as to substance. A request for examination must be filed within three years from the international filing date. The request is subject to the payment of a fee which is indicated in Annex UG.I. Failure to make a request within the prescribed time limit will cause the application to lapse.
    UG.05 REPRESENTATION
    UPA Section 21
    Where the ordinary residence or principal place of business of the applicant is outside Uganda, the applicant shall be represented by an advocate of the High Court of Uganda.
    UG.06 ANNUAL FEES
    UPA Section 47(1), 
    UPA Section 47(2), 
    UPA Section 47(3), 
    UPA Section 47(4), 
    UPR Reg. 35, 
    UPR Reg. 36

    Annual fees must be paid for each year following the international filing date. For the due date of annual fees for the second year, refer to the Summary. Payment of the subsequent annual fees must be made before the expiration of the month containing the anniversary of the international filing date. Payment can still be made, together with a surcharge for late payment, before the expiration of the sixth month after the month containing the anniversary of the international filing date. Failure to pay annual fees before the expiration of this grace period will result in the application being considered withdrawn or the patent lapsing. The amounts of the annual fees are indicated in Annex UG.I.
    UG.07 EXCUSE OF DELAYS IN MEETING TIME LIMITS
    PCT Art. 24(2), 
    PCT Art. 48(2), 
    PCT Rule 82bis, 
    UPA Section 47(6), 
    UPA Section 47(7), 
    UPA Section 47(8), 
    UPR Reg. 37

    Reference is made to paragraphs 6.022 to 6.027 of the National Phase. Applications which have been considered to have been withdrawn and patents which have lapsed for failure to timely pay the prescribed annual fees may be restored, subject to a request which must be submitted within six months from the expiration of the grace period for payment of annual fees. The request for restoration, which may be made by any interested person, must be accompanied by evidence to support the request and the restoration fee indicated in Annex UG.I. If the Registrar is satisfied that the failure to pay the annual fees was unintentional and that all annual fees due have been paid, he will order the restoration of the application or the patent.
    UG.08
    An application which has become abandoned for failure to comply with a time limit during the international phase or for failure to prosecute before the Office may be revived as a pending application if it is shown to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the delay was unavoidable or unintentional. Any petition to revive such an application must be filed in writing and contain an explanation of the causes of the delay. Petitions for revival of unintentionally abandoned applications should be accompanied by the fee for revival. Additionally, at the Registrar’s discretion, the applicant may be given an extension of any time limits. Such extensions may be granted although the applicable time limits have already expired.
    UG.09 REVIEW UNDER ARTICLE 25 OF THE PCT
    PCT Art. 25, 
    PCT Rule 51, 
    UPR Reg. 31

    The applicable procedure is outlined in paragraphs 6.018 to 6.021 of the National Phase. If, upon review under PCT Article 25, the Office denies an error or omission on the part of the receiving Office or the International Bureau, an appeal against this decision may be lodged with the Office.
    UG.10 APPEALS
    UPA Section 33
    An applicant may appeal to the High Court against a decision by the Registrar according a filing date to an application, rejecting an application or treating an application as if it had not been filed.
    UG.11 UTILITY CERTIFICATE
    PCT Rule 49bis.1(c), 
    PCT Rule 76.5

    If the applicant wishes to obtain a utility certificate instead of a patent in Uganda on the basis of an international application, the applicant, when performing the acts referred to in Article 22 or 39, shall so indicate to the Office.
    UG.12
    Annual fees for utility certificates are payable for the first and each subsequent year after grant (refer to Annex UG.I), the fee for the first year being paid simultaneously with the grant fee. Utility certificates expire, without any possibility of renewal, at the end of the tenth year after grant.
    UG.13 CONVERSION
    UPA Section 70
    Once the requirements for entry into the national phase have been complied with the applicant may convert his application for a patent, upon payment of the prescribed fee, into an application for a utility certificate and vice versa. Conversion of patent applications may be requested at any time before the decision to grant or refuse to grant the patent or the notification of registration of the application; conversion of applications for utility certificates may be requested at any time before the grant of the utility certificate or of the notification of rejection of the application. An application may not be so converted more than once.

    Annexes

    Annex UG.I - Fees
    Natural persons or legal entities not having their residence or principal place of business in Uganda must effect payment in US dollar.
    Patents
    National processing fee
    60,000 UGX
    150 USD
    Publication fee
    50,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Request for examination
    150,000 UGX
    250 USD
    Grant fee
    90,000 UGX
    100 USD
    Request to amend or divide application
    50,000 UGX
    100 USD
    Request for withdrawal of application
    20,000 UGX
    10 USD
    Annual fees:
    — for the 2nd year
    50,000 UGX
    50 USD
    — for the 3rd year
    70,000 UGX
    70 USD
    — for the 4th year
    90,000 UGX
    90 USD
    — for the 5th year
    110,000 UGX
    110 USD
    — for the 6th year
    130,000 UGX
    130 USD
    — for the 7th year
    150,000 UGX
    150 USD
    — for the 8th year
    170,000 UGX
    170 USD
    — for the 9th year
    190,000 UGX
    190 USD
    — for the 10th year
    210,000 UGX
    210 USD
    — for the 11th year
    230,000 UGX
    230 USD
    — for the 12th year
    250,000 UGX
    250 USD
    — for the 13th year
    270,000 UGX
    270 USD
    — for the 14th year
    290,000 UGX
    290 USD
    — for the 15th year
    310,000 UGX
    310 USD
    — for the 16th year
    330,000 UGX
    330 USD
    — for the 17th year
    350,000 UGX
    350 USD
    — for the 18th year
    370,000 UGX
    370 USD
    — for the 19th year
    390,000 UGX
    390 USD
    — for the 20th year
    410,000 UGX
    410 USD
    Surcharge for the late payment of annual fees
    20,000 UGX
    Please refer to the Office for the amount in USD
    Restoration fee
    100,000 UGX
    300 USD
    Utility certificates
    National processing fee
    30,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Request to amend or divide application
    15,000 UGX
    50 USD
    Annual fees:
    — for the 1st and 2nd years after grant
    per year 30,000 UGX
    per year 50 USD
    — for the 3rd year after grant
    30,000 UGX
    100 USD
    — for the 4th and 5th years after grant
    per year 60,000 UGX
    per year 100 USD
    — for the 6th year after grant
    60,000 UGX
    150 USD
    — for the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th years after grant
    per year 100,000 UGX
    per year 150 USD
    Surcharge for the late payment of annual fees
    20,000 UGX
    Please refer to the Office for the amount in USD
    Restoration fee
    50,000 UGX
    50 USD
    How can payment of fees be effected?
    The payment of fees must be effected in Ugandan shilling or US dollar. All payments must indicate the application number (national, if already known; international if the national number is not yet known), the name of the applicant and the category of fee being paid. All fees must be paid to the Office by bank draft, international money order (or cash, at the Office only) made payable to the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).
    Forms
    Please refer to the Office.
    Current version applicable from 1 Apr 2025 , printed on 22 May 2025
    2.1 #12 - 2025-05-20T15:31:04.965+02:00