The Relevance of the Protection of Trade Secrets: A Critical Analysis of the Law and Practice in Uganda

ABSTRACT Trade or commercial secrets are a critical part of intellectual property protection in Uganda. Broadly speaking, trade secrets are a type of confidential information. This area oflaw is concerned with secrets ofa personal, commercial or industrial nature or the state and its administration. The study ascertains the relevance of the protection of trade secrets within the context of the existing legal and institutional amework in Uganda. The study looked at the various pieces of legislation both domestic and international instruments which provide for the protection oftrade secrets in Uganda~ The researcher ‘s main objective of the study was to examine the relevance of the protection oftrade secrets in Uganda and the effectiveness ofthe various laws that provide for the protection of trade secrets in Uganda. The researcher applied both Doctrinal and Quantitative research methods during the research process. The findings of the study reveal that there are a number of economic benefIts that flow from trade secret Protection and that this justifies the need far their protection in Uganda. The findings of the study also reveal that there are a number ofpractical challenges that are being encountered by the various stake holders in the protection of trade secrets in Uganda. Among these challenges were the inadequate information, lack of coordination between the various stake holders and financial constraints. The study ther~fore gives recommendations that will be deemed instrumental towards protecting trade secrets in Uganda and the roles to be played by the various stake holders in protecting trade secrets.