Bugiri Municipality Member of Parliament, Asuman Basaliwa, has been granted permission to introduce the “Anti-Counterfeit Bill, 2023.”
The Bill aims to prohibit trade in counterfeit goods that infringe on protected intellectual property rights, focusing on copyright and trademarks.
Basalirwa highlighted the inadequacy of current enforcement mechanisms, which only provide recourse to court and lack administrative remedies. He said counterfeit goods have led to financial losses for right holders and legitimate businesses and are linked to organized crime.
He sought permission from Parliament after presenting a motion under Article 94(4)(b) of the Constitution, and Rules 56, 121, and 122 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Anita Among on Thursday.
Despite reservations from the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua , the MPs unanimously supported the motion.
The Soroti City West Division MP, Jonathan Ebwalu, and Derrick Orone of Gogonyo County seconded the motion. However, Obua, expressed reservations, noting that the Government had not yet scrutinized the Bill.
The Bill was previously introduced in 2015 but was withdrawn due to the existence of other laws addressing counterfeiting. The government cited various laws regulating intellectual property, including copyright, trade secrets, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial property, and plant variety protection acts.