Nsubuga Ronnie

Most Ugandan athletes retire with memories, Not wealth.

I know this because I lived it.

From the courts with Miracle Eagles to now working in fashion, one truth has became clear that “Talent builds fame. It does not build wealth.”

The real question is uncomfortable:
Why are Uganda’s basketball legends, players who defined generations, not among the richest athletes today?

It’s not because we lacked greatness. It’s because we lacked ownership.
No trademarks.
No image rights.
No licensing structures.

So our names built culture, but never built capital.

As we approach World IP Day tomorrow with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau URSB under the theme “Ready, Set, Innovate,” this is the shift athletes must make:

Be ready to understand your value.
Get set to protect it.
And innovate by monetizing it.

I’ve broken this down using real Ugandan scenarios and practical steps for athletes, federations, and policymakers.

This is not just a conversation, it’s a correction.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/42lzu9U / Latest on my website

IntellectualProperty SportsBusiness

I have been thinking deeply about what just happened in Parliament.

The Copyright and Neighbouring Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2025 has finally been passed by the Parliament of Uganda, and for many creatives, this is a moment of hope.

But let me bring it closer to home.

Imagine a young designer in Kalerwe or Ntinda.

She spends nights sketching a design, saves money to produce one outfit, posts it online… and within weeks, her design is copied, reproduced, and sold in “downtown shops—without her consent, without “credit, without payment.

That has been the reality for many in our fashion industry.

This new law is a step in the right direction. It signals that Uganda is ready to take creative work seriously.
But laws alone are not enough.

As the Pearl of Africa Fashion Alliance ( ), we see this as the beginning of a new phase—implementation.

Fashion is not just clothing. It is an ecosystem of designers, models, photographers, stylists, and creatives whose work must be recognized, protected, and valued.

If we get implementation right, we will build an industry where creativity is respected and rewarded.
If we get it wrong, we risk leaving an entire sector behind.

The work continues, and we are ready to engage.

Honoured to have served as one of the judges for the IP Strategy Business Pitch Challenge during the recently concluded first-ever IP in a Box (Play, Learn, Protect) Game Lab.

It was inspiring to assess innovative, youth-driven ideas that demonstrated a growing understanding of how Intellectual Property can be strategically applied to real businesses.

I appreciated the opportunity to judge alongside an incredible panel: Ms. Sarah Rukundo (URSB), Ms. Lilian Nantume (Founder & MD, GSWIM), Mr. Ajit Abraham (URSB), and Ms. Clara Tumwine (URSB).

Thank you to and for creating such a practical and forward-looking platform that makes IP learning engaging, relevant, and impactful for entrepreneurs and creatives.

This is the direction we need to take as we build a stronger, protected, and future-ready innovation ecosystem.

IntellectualProperty InnovationUG CreativeOwnershipUG