KAMPALA, UGANDA — Uganda’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, has urged Africa’s young creatives to take a leading role in securing the continent’s share of the multi-billion-dollar global intellectual property market, emphasizing that copyright protection is essential for economic transformation and wealth creation.

Mao made the call while serving as Chief Guest at the Copyright and Related Rights Management Symposium in Kampala, an event held in partnership with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and marking the 50th anniversary of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO).

The symposium brought together regional delegates, intellectual property experts and other stakeholders to discuss ways of modernizing copyright management systems, strengthening enforcement and ensuring that African creators benefit financially from their work.

Mao Highlights the Economic Value of Intellectual Property

Addressing delegates, Mao emphasized that intellectual property should not be viewed as an end in itself but as a tool for improving people’s livelihoods and supporting broader economic development.

“Intellectual property is not an end in itself. It is connected to something bigger—uplifting our people, our long-suffering people. We are here because we want to be systematic and connected to the global system,” Mao said.

The minister highlighted the commercial potential of protected creative works, pointing to French painter Jean-François Millet’s famous 1857 painting, The Angelus, as an example of how artistic creations can acquire substantial financial value over time.

The painting was initially sold for 105,000 dollars and has since been associated with valuations exceeding 80 million dollars, illustrating the potential economic significance of valuable creative assets.

Mao’s remarks underscored the importance of establishing effective intellectual property systems that allow creators and rights holders to protect, manage and benefit from their work.

Minister Challenges Africa’s Young Creatives

Mao also challenged young Africans to become more proactive in securing the continent’s place in the global intellectual property industry.

Referring to veteran diplomat and lawyer Professor Francis Butagira, who is 84 years old, the minister questioned why younger generations should lack the determination to pursue opportunities in the creative economy.

His remarks called on young creators to recognize the commercial value of their talents and to engage more actively in protecting their original works.

Across Africa, musicians, filmmakers, writers, visual artists, software developers and other creators produce content with the potential to generate significant economic returns. However, effective copyright management and enforcement remain important to ensuring that creators receive appropriate recognition and remuneration.

ARIPO@50 Symposium Focuses on Copyright Management

The Kampala symposium was organized in collaboration with URSB as part of activities marking ARIPO’s 50th anniversary.

ARIPO Director General Bemanya Twebaze welcomed Minister Mao to the event, which focused on strengthening intellectual property management frameworks across member states.

Discussions centered on the need for coordinated approaches to copyright administration, improved enforcement mechanisms and stronger links between African creative industries and international markets.

Effective copyright systems can help rights holders control the use of their work, establish licensing arrangements and receive royalties when their creations are used commercially.

For African countries seeking to expand their creative economies, these mechanisms are increasingly important in turning artistic and intellectual talent into sustainable sources of income and employment.

Bridging the Gap Between African Talent and Global Markets

The broader objective is to ensure that African creators can compete more effectively in international markets while benefiting from the economic value generated by their intellectual contributions.

Mao’s message placed particular emphasis on the role of young people in driving this transformation, urging them to combine creativity with sustained advocacy for stronger intellectual property protection.

As ARIPO member states continue working to improve copyright enforcement and management, the challenge remains to translate policy discussions into practical systems that protect creators and ensure they receive the benefits of their work.

For Uganda’s creative industry, stronger copyright protection and more effective royalty management could play an important role in supporting artists, encouraging investment and expanding the contribution of creative industries to the national economy.Reporting from Kampala, Uganda.

The symposium concluded with discussions on a strategic roadmap intended to improve copyright management and strengthen connections between local creators and global commercial opportunities.

“If at 84 he is still going, what is the excuse for young people not to fight for Africa’s proper place in the global intellectual property market?” Mao asked.