Kampala, February 23, 2026
The School of Engineering at Makerere University hosted a pivotal session designed to bridge the gap between creative innovation and legal protection. The event welcomed Mr. Peter Eneru and Ms. Fazirah Nakabugo from the Makerere University Intellectual Property Management Office (IPMO), who delivered an in-depth briefing to the Dean, department heads, and students.
The session underscored a vital truth: while engineering builds the future, Intellectual Property (IP) secures it. Through their presentation, Engineering Meets Intellectual Property: Makerere Students Empowered to Protect Innovation and Ms. Nakabugo broke down the essentials of IP from defining its core concepts to distinguishing between its various forms. They highlighted the vulnerabilities innovators face when IP is overlooked, stressing that proactive management is non negotiable for anyone in the technology and research space.
“Innovation without protection is like building a house without a lock,” noted Mr. Eneru, emphasizing the risks of neglecting IP safeguards.
For engineering students at the frontline of research, these lessons are invaluable. In today’s competitive landscape, where groundbreaking ideas are frequently targeted by copycats and negative actors, securing one’s work is the only way to ensure contributions remain protected. The speakers reminded participants that protecting innovation is just as important as creating it.
The School of Engineering expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Eneru and Ms. Nakabugo for sharing their expertise. By equipping students with the tools to understand and manage IP, Makerere University is ensuring that the next generation of engineers can build, create, and lead with confidence.
As the university continues to champion innovation, this session stands as a powerful reminder that true progress lies not only in invention but in safeguarding the brilliance behind it.
By Pius Kikomeko and Harriet Musinguzi.
Posted by Isemaghendera Alex