Protection of Geographical Indications in Uganda: Legal Gaps, Challenges, Comparative Analysis, and Opportunities for Local Products

Uganda is rich in unique, high-value products - from Bugisu Coffee in the East to Isingiro matooke in the West. But are these treasures truly protected in the national and global marketplace? This book explores the the legal protection of Geographical Indications (GIs) as a form of intellectual property. It assesses the legal frameworks, including local and international, breaks down an analysis with stakeholders in the economy from a different professions as well as a comparative analysis with other jurisdictions. Through this legal analysis and a survey, the book highlights challenges and gaps to do with protection of geographical indications and the disconnect between the existing law and real-world application. This book acts as a critique and a blueprint, that while laws and regulations exist, they must be revived, enforced and embraced by the people they are meant to serve. Only then can Uganda harness the full power of geographical indications to protect its culture, empower its producers and compete globally.