GLOSSARY OF TERMS COMMONLY USED IN THE GUIDELINES
Access to genetic resources – obtaining, possessing and using of genetic resources, their derivative products and
intangible components for purposes of research, bio-prospecting, conservation, industrial or
commercial use
Access Permit – a permit issued under these regulations that authorises a person to access biological or genetic
resources
Accessory Agreement – any facilitating agreement relating to a prior informed consent, and includes a letter of
exchange, a memorandum of understanding, or an academic or research agreement
Authority – the National Environment Management Authority established by Section 4 of the National
Environment Act Cap 153
Benefit Sharing – the sharing of benefits that accrue from the utilisation of genetic resources and includes
technology, technology transfer, innovations, practices, results of research, capacity building,
community knowledge, awareness and education
Biological resources – includes genetic resources, organisms or parts of organisms, populations or other biotic
component of ecosystems with actual or potential value for humanity
Collector – a person or agent of that person obtaining or intending to obtain access to genetic resources, their
derivative products or intangible components occurring or originating from Uganda
Competent Authority – the UNCST established under the UNCST Act designated to be the competent authority
under regulation 5 of the regulations
Community Land – this refers to land that is communally or collectively owned by a local community
Derivative Product – an improved or unmodified biologically active chemical compound associated with
targeted biological or genetic material formed by the metabolic processes of the organism, modified
and used in a technological application, and includes molecules, combinations or mixtures of natural
molecules including raw extracts of living or dead organisms and soil matter, deoxyribonucleic acid
(DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) or chemical compounds, modified, created or synthesised from
genetic material originally obtained in accordance with these regulations
Genetic Material – any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of
heredity
Genetic Resources – genetic material of actual or potential use or value, and includes their derivative products
and intangible components
Intangible Component – any knowledge or information associated with biological or genetic resources
occurring in or originating from Uganda and includes local knowledge, technology, innovations,
farming practices and traditional lifestyles
Lead Agency – any organisation, department, local government or person that has been given responsibility for
management of any aspect of Uganda’s genetic resources. The designation of a lead agency is based
on legislation.
Local Community – an indigenous community of Uganda as provided for in the Third Schedule of the
Constitution, or any clan or sub-clan of the indigenous community communally occupying, using or
managing land in which the genetic resources are found
Material Transfer Agreement - an agreement between the Government or its representative and a
collector, setting out the terms under which genetic resources can be transferred from one
party to another
Owner – in relation to genetic resources, the registered proprietor of the land, a customary owner or occupier of
the land, the lessee of the land, the agent or trustee of the land or the person for the time being owning,
using or benefiting from the genetic resources
Prior Informed Consent – prior acceptance of a collector by the lead agency and the concerned local
community or owner to access genetic resources
Re-export – export of any genetic material of Ugandan origin that has been previously exported
Regulations – the National Environment (Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing) Regulations, 2005.
Guidelines for Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing
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