The Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) serves as the Competent National Authority for access to genetic resources in Uganda. Its key mandates include: Advising on and coordinating the formulation of a national policy in all fields of science and technology; Coordinating scientific and technological activities across sectors and institutions; Operating a national patent office and protecting intellectual property rights; Coordinating the activities of lead agencies involved in managing genetic resources; Monitoring the use and transfer of genetic resources to ensure compliance with regulations; and Facilitating benefit-sharing from Uganda's genetic resources.
Roles of UNCST in Relation to ABS Management in Uganda
1. Establishing and maintaining depositories for agreements related to genetic resources.
2. Ensuring equitable benefit-sharing arising from access to and utilization of genetic resources.
3. Implementing administrative mechanisms for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) regulations.
4. Facilitating negotiations for Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) and Accessory Agreements (AA).
5. Directing the collection and storage of representative genetic resources
Competent Authority: UNCST is the main authority for granting access permits for genetic resources, ensuring compliance with the ABS framework.
Policy Implementation: Works with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to implement ABS regulations and guidelines effectively.
Stakeholder Coordination: Collaborates with lead agencies (e.g., Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Forestry Authority) and local communities to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of genetic resources.
Monitoring and Reporting: Oversees the collection, use, and export of genetic resources, ensuring adherence to national and international ABS commitments.
Access to Genetic Resources and Benefits Sharing (ABS) refers to the way in which genetic resources may be accessed, and how the benefits that result from their use are shared between the people or countries using the resources (users) and the people or countries that provide them (providers). Genetic resources are defined as any genetic material of plant, animal, microbial, or other origin containing functional units of heredity, with actual or potential value for humanity. This includes derivative products and associated intangible components such as traditional knowledge.
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