The Agency through invitation from Ugandan Anti-Counterfeit Network (ACN) participated in a high-ranking advocacy meeting in Kampala, Uganda. ACN are the local caucus of anti-counterfeiting bodies drawn from the public and private sector that advocate for increased recognition of intellectual property laws in Uganda by policy makers.

The purpose of the visit was to sensitize and educate Ugandan Members of Parliament on the dangers of buying/using counterfeit products in the hope that MPs can champion the fight against counterfeits and energize the legislative call for stronger and more responsive anti-counterfeit measures and laws in Uganda.

The event was in the form of an Expo and Panel Discussion at the Member’s lounge within the Ugandan Parliament in April 2017 with the chief guest being the Speaker of the Ugandan Parliament. Present at the discussion were Ugandan legislators led by the Chairman of the Parliamentary committee Trade Hon. Kenneth Lubogo.

The then acting Executive Director Dr. John Akoten represented the ACA. In his presentation, he highlighted the implications of counterfeit practice to legislators and the cross-border effects of trade in counterfeit goods on the economies of the region. Participants appreciated the legal and regulatory framework in Kenya tremendous and welcomed the idea to make similar laws in Uganda.

He later on participated in the launch of the “Don’t be Fake, Buy/Sell Genuine” program; a consumer awareness campaign in Uganda.

So far, in the spirit of regional collaboration, the Agency together with the East African Community Secretariat and the East African Business Council and other partners, organized two (2) regional Anti-Illicit trade conferences in Nairobi. The outcome has seen the increased harmonization of regional Intellectual Property laws in the country.
The Agency has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tanzania’s Fair Competition Commission, the Ethiopian Government (under the Special Status Agreement signed on 16th June 2016) among others.