The objectives of these Regulations is—

(a) to prescribe the procedure for access to genetic resources for scientific research, commercial purposes, bio-prospecting, conservation or industrial application;

(b) to provide for the sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources; and

(c) to promote the sustainable management and utilisation of genetic resources, thereby contributing to the conservation of the biological resources of Uganda.

These Regulations apply to access to genetic resources or parts of genetic resources, whether naturally occurring or naturalised, including genetic resources bred for or intended for commercial purposes within Uganda or for export, whether in in-situ conditions or ex-situ conditions.

These Regulations do not apply—

(a) to the exchange of genetic resources—

(i) where the exchange is done by a local community among themselves and for their own consumption;

(ii) where the exchange is certified to be purely for food or other consumptive purposes as prescribed by the relevant laws;

(b) to the transit of genetic resources through Uganda;
(c) to access to genetic resources derived from plant breeders as defined by the laws relating to plant breeding and plant variety;

(d) to human genetic resources;

(e) to approved research activities intended for educational purposes by Ugandan institutions recognised by the competent authority, and which do not result in access to genetic resources for commercial purposes or export to other countries.