Shirley Gladys Nakyejwe, Senior IT Officer & Intellectual Property Specialist, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Uganda

1. How do you use technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives? Tell us about your role or organisation?

As a Senior IT Officer and Intellectual Property (IP) Specialist at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, my work primarily fosters a vibrant innovation ecosystem where ideas can flourish and intellectual property rights are protected. Beyond these initiatives, I was a key contributor during the development of Uganda’s Business Process Outsourcing Policy (BPO) 2024, which aims to attract foreign investment and create jobs in the ICT sector. By streamlining regulations and providing incentives, this policy seeks to position Uganda as a global BPO destination that attracts global businesses and creates high-value jobs for Ugandan youth. My role in developing the BPO Policy involved collaborating with various stakeholders to gather insights and ensure the policy aligned with Uganda's economic development goals.

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2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year?

This year, one of my most significant contributions has been leading a nationwide program that empowered over 2000 innovators with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their ideas and inventions. This initiative involved workshops and training sessions nationwide, educating innovators on various aspects of Intellectual Property (IP), such as patents, industrial designs, trademarks, and copyrights. By equipping these individuals with the right knowledge, we stimulate innovation and creativity, developing new products, services, and solutions that address societal challenges.

To further support innovators, I spearheaded the development of a practical IP toolkit that provides a comprehensive guide on the IP landscape in Uganda. This toolkit is a valuable resource for researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators, helping them navigate the complex IP protection and commercialisation process. By simplifying the IP process, we encourage more individuals to pursue innovative ideas and bring them to market.

3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024?

2024 was a year of significant growth and unexpected learning for me. While I had anticipated the challenges of navigating the complex landscape of intellectual property in the digital age, I was pleasantly surprised by the sheer scale of innovation and the passion of Uganda's young innovators. During the nationwide awareness IP program I led, I initially assumed that the primary challenge would be the technical understanding of IP concepts. However, I realised that many innovators faced a more fundamental obstacle: fear of failure. They worried about their ideas being stolen or not being good enough. To address this, I brought on board successful innovators who had faced setbacks and overcame them to share their stories and inspire the young innovators.

4. What’s a tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025?

In 2025, I am particularly excited to delve into the potential of AI-powered IP management tools. As the digital landscape evolves unprecedentedly, so does the complexity of managing intellectual property rights. AI offers a promising solution to streamline and enhance various aspects of IP management. One specific application I'm keen to explore is AI for automating routine IP tasks, such as generating patent drafts, monitoring IP portfolios, and conducting infringement analysis. This frees up valuable time for IP professionals and innovators to focus on strategic decision-making and innovation. Another exciting area is the use of AI to predict IP trends; by analysing historical data on patent filings, licensing deals, and litigation trends, AI can identify emerging technologies and potential IP hotspots.

5. Everybody’s talking about AI today – give us your hot take on AI and what it means for the public sector.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionise the public sector, offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and improved service delivery. For example, AI can deliver tailored services to individual citizens based on their specific needs and preferences, leading to more effective and equitable service delivery. Additionally, AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends that would be difficult for humans to discern, leading to more informed and evidence-based decision-making with service delivery. Similarly, AI has been seen to stimulate innovation by providing new tools and techniques for research and development. Governments must invest in retraining and upskilling programs to prepare the workforce for the future the AI presents.

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6. What are your priorities for 2025?

As we enter 2025, my focus remains steadfast on fostering a robust innovation ecosystem in Uganda. I believe that by empowering innovators and strengthening the IP ecosystem, we can unlock the full potential of Uganda's creative and entrepreneurial talent. Therefore, building upon the past year's successes, I aim to continue expanding the outreach efforts on IP awareness to reach a wider audience, including universities, research institutions, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This will also include developing and delivering targeted workshops and training programs to address the specific IP needs of different sectors, such as education, agriculture and health.

7. What advice do you have for public sector innovators?

Public sector innovators should prioritise collaboration and partnership to maximise the impact of their work. On top of keeping up with the trends in technology, they should also collaborate with external partners to accelerate development, broaden impact, and increase commercialisation potential. I encourage innovators to explore licensing options to generate revenue from their innovations. They can consider various licensing options with professional consultations to generate income from their innovations.  

8. Who inspires you today?

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has continuously inspired me. Her exemplary life and achievements, marked by tremendous success, unwavering self-composure, and the ability to balance family responsibilities alongside being a key figure beside a president, are truly inspiring. I am drawn to learn from her experiences, gaining insights into how she navigated the complexities of such immense responsibilities with grace. Michelle Obama's ability to work diligently while retaining her authentic self is a profound source of inspiration. I believe there's much wisdom to be gained from her perspective on achieving success without compromising personal identity.