Uganda among top financial markets in Africa: Key Legal Implications for Business Owners and Investors
According to the Absa Financial Markets Index 2023, Uganda is one of the top 5 African countries with the best financial markets. Uganda took the 4thplace only after South Africa...
Exporting from Uganda to the UAE: Here are the legal considerations
According to the Uganda Export Promotion Board, The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the leading market for exports from Uganda within the Middle East and Gulf countries,.....
Bank of Uganda directive on company secretaries: The pros, cons and mitigation strategies
Bank of Uganda has recently issued a directive instructing all supervised financial institutions to stop outsourcing company secretaries effective 31st December 2023.
Leveraging Public-Private Partnerships to Reduce Uganda's Annual Rent Expenditure
The Government of Uganda's annual expenditure on rent is reported to stand at an astounding 185 billion Ugandan shillings for only 123 government entities,
Legal Implications of the IGAD Free Movement of Persons Protocol for Ugandans
The Government of Uganda recently signed a monumental protocol for free movement of persons under the Intergovernmental Authority...
Empowering Women in Intellectual Property: Reflections from the Inaugural Women In IP Conference for ARIPO members.
I was honored to attend the Inaugural Women In IP Conference, organized by the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) in collaboration
Demystifying Land Ownership for Foreign Investors in Uganda
As Uganda continues to grow into a hub for investment and business in East Africa, interest in acquiring property, including land, has increased....
The Increasing Need for Data Protection in Uganda: A Call for Stronger Enforcement and Accountability
The rate at which data is abused in Uganda is alarming and increasingly evident. Unsolicited calls, messages, and emails from unknown sources have...
The Hidden Costs of Avoiding Business Formalization and Compliance in Uganda
Uganda is widely recognised as one of the most entrepreneurial nations globally. However, despite the promising entrepreneurial spirit, a significant number...
JESA'S BONGA YOGHURT: A TRADEMARK HIT
Recently, I came across a billboard advertising Jesa’s Bonga Yoghurt, and my immediate reaction was, “What a clever and strong brand! How come...
Estate Planning for Mental Health Reasons
This morning, I witnessed a distressing sight while driving to work—a naked woman, seemingly well-off and in her thirties, surrounded by tens of boda...
Pursuing Passion in the Midst of Daily Responsibilities: Lesson from Patience
This morning, I received a gift box at the office—inside were beautifully crafted napkins, perfectly packaged and embroidered with intricate designs...
Employee Empowerment at the Aga Khan Foundation's Staff Transition Training
Yesterday marked a remarkable milestone in employee support as the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) engaged TARA Advocates as consultants to deliver...
The Rise of Travel Scams in Uganda: Why Business Ethics and Legal Awareness Matter
Imagine this: You and your friends excitedly plan a dream getaway. You find a tour agent who promises an amazing package at a great price...
Pacta Sunt Servanda: Why Contracts Must Be Honored and the Cost of Breaking Agreements in Business
Many Ugandans enter contracts with confidence, expecting that both parties will fulfill their promises. But when the time comes to deliver—...
Freedom of Contract: A Business Owner’s Hidden Advantage
As a business owner, you enter contracts daily—with suppliers, customers, employees, and partners. But are you fully leveraging your Freedom of Contract?
Privity of Contract: Why You Should Think Twice Before Investing in Unsecured Land Deals
A friend recently shared an investment opportunity—a chance to buy land at an attractive price through a subscription scheme. On the surface,....
Caveat Emptor: A Valentine’s Day Lesson for Business Owners
Valentine’s Day is a time of love, romance, and extravagant gifts. It’s also a season where many people make poor choices—both in relationships and business.
Caveat Emptor: A Valentine’s Day Lesson for Business Owners
Valentine’s Day is a time of love, romance, and extravagant gifts. It’s also a season where many people make poor choices—both in relationships and business.
Why Do SMEs Struggle to Scale? The Governance Gap
In Uganda and many other economies, SMEs form the backbone of commerce. Many of these businesses thrive informally, leveraging agility,....
Nyege Nyege Trademark Dispute: A Landmark Intellectual Property Case
The recent High Court judgment in Afroludo Ltd v URSB & Eric Nyakueizabo has sparked significant discussion in Uganda’s intellectual property and business law circles.
The Power of Vision, Purpose, and Values in Business and Life
Some of the most important lessons about business and leadership do not come from boardrooms or financial statements. They come from real-life experiences...
Lessons from My Investment Club: Key Insights for Sustainable Wealth Creation
Over the last decade, investment clubs have gained traction in Uganda, becoming a popular vehicle for wealth creation. Almost every working professional belongs to at least one, drawn by...
LEGAL GUIDE FOR FOREIGN INVESTORS IN UGANDA
Uganda offers a compelling investment landscape for foreign investors due to its political stability, legal and economic landscape, natural resources, strategic geographical location, etc.
LEGALTIPS BEFORE TAKING OUT A LOAN
Taking out a loan is a significant financial decision that can have lasting implications for your business or personal finances. Recent cases on the subject demonstrate that businesses may inevitability require capital in the form of debt.
RETHINKING DIVORCE GROUNDS IN MODERN MARRIAGES
On 18th August 2023, the media was awash with the decision of Hon. Justice John Eudes Ketirima in the case of Zedekia Karokora versus Kellen Karokora vide HCFD Divorce Cause No. 20 of 2020 that relates to a petition for divorce.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND JUSTICE ARACH AMOKO’S RULING
On 17th June 2023, Uganda lost a great stateswoman Hon. Lady Justice Mary Stella Arach-Amoko, a Justice of the Supreme Court. In accordance with the Administration of Judiciary Act, 2020, she was entitled to a state burial.
BASICS OF THE CONDOMINIUM LAW IN UGANDA
A condominium or ‘condo’ is a building structure divided into several units that are separately owned and which are surrounded by common areas that are jointly owned by all owners of the units.
EMPLOYMENT LAW: NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON TERMINATION WITH BANK OF UGANDA V JOSEPH KIBUUKA & 4 OTHERS CACA NO. 281 OF 2016.
In 2021, the Court of Appeal of Uganda made a landmark decision in the above-captioned case that has begun to reshape labour relations and employment practice in Uganda.
WHY CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S DAY IS IMPORTANT: A FEMALE LAWYER’S PERSPECTIVE
On Sunday, 6th March 2022, whilst having a conversation with my daughters, Tatiana aged seven and Ariana aged four, I told them that 8th March is Women’s Day and a public holiday.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING ARBITRATION AS A DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM IN UGANDA?
Recently, a friend of mine was in court and observed a litigant’s case thrown out because the dispute resolution...
A GUIDE ON COLLECTIVE TERMINATIONS IN UGANDA
Economic hardships force large employers to make difficult decisions concerning the employment statuses of their employees.
PUBLICATION OF BRAILLE VERSION OF CONSTITUTION COMMENDABLE
On the 24th day of January, 2022, the Uganda Law Reform Commission notified the general public that it had transcribed the 1995 Constitution into braille and copies of the same were now available to the public.
REGISTRATION OF COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN UGANDA
Uganda’s population is approximately 45 million people, but 41% of the people live in poverty. Some of the widely used entities to help communities alleviate...
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN TAX DISPUTES IN UGANDA: THE CHALLENGES POSED BY INFORMALITY
In the recent years, there has been a surge in the number of tax disputes in Uganda.
MOBILE MONEY REGULATION IN UGANDA, AT LAST
There is no doubt that mobile money services have transformed and revolutionalised the financial sector in Uganda. Mobile money has created new opportunities especially
WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS AN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Recently I carried out a small survey and discovered that not many workspaces have environmental policies. The reasons given included...
ACHOLA CATHERINE OSUPELEM V. ELECTORAL COMMISSION CASE SUMMARY
On the 13th July, 2018, Hon. J. Ssekaana Musa delivered a judgement at High Court of Uganda, Kampala in the aforementioned case which highlights; the powers of the Electoral Commission...
ABOUT OMAR LAY AND TEMS ARREST
The viral reaction about the arrest of these two artists following their performance over the weekend just goes to show how much as human beings we have double standards.
IS YOUR NEIGHBOUR A NUISANCE?
A nuisance is one of those things about human experience that conjures up feelings of annoyance and irritation.
Doreen Adengo V Priscilla Namwanje H.C.C.A No. 123 of 2019.
Ms. Doreen Adengo being aggrieved by the decision of the Architects Disciplinary Committee directing her to pay compensation to Ms. Priscilla Namwanje and a fine of one million shillings...
5 REASONS TO TRADEMARK YOUR BUSINESS NAME AND LOGO
The media has recently had a share of national conversation concerning two companies that provide funeral services in Uganda...
DOREEN ADENGO V PRISCILLA NAMWANJE
Ms. Doreen Adengo being aggrieved by the decision of the Architects Disciplinary Committee directing her to pay
compensation to Ms. Priscilla Namwanje and a fine of one millions hillings only for professional misconduct...
COVID-19: THE DILEMMA OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
Ever since the emergence of COVID-19 as a pandemic, the world has witnessed extensive lockdowns and a call for people to stay...
LAKE VICTORIA POLLUTION: MUST WE CARE?
A while back, a Ugandan newspaper published the harrowing findings of a research project commissioned by Nation Media Journalists from Kenya and Uganda accompanied by scientists from..
VIVO ENERGY WINS CASE AGAINST URA AS COURT CONFIRMS RENT PAID IN RESPECT OF LEASES AS AN ALLOWABLE DEDUCTION
This article focuses on the recent decision of the commercial court following an appeal by Vivo Energy against URA
IMAGE RIGHTS IN UGANDA
In April, 2019, Ugandan jetsetter and celebrity, Sheila Gashumba, was engraved in a bitter fight with La Paronis, the hottest Kampala Sunday Hangout, ....
7 REASONS TO SETTLE YOUR CASE AT MEDIATION
In this article, I make a case for settling a dispute at the mediation level. I demonstrate the immense benefits offered by mediation over a formal court hearing before a judicial officer.
TAX ALERT: THE COURT OF APPEAL FINDS URA’S IMPOSITION OF INTEREST PENDING DISPUTE RESOLUTION UNTENABLE IN LAW.
On the 12th day of November, 2019, the Court of Appeal Justices Kenneth Kakuru JA, Ezekiel Muhanguzi JA, and Christopher Madrama JA in the case of Airtel Uganda Ltd v Uganda Revenue Authority; Civil Appeal No. 40 of 2013 delivered a landmark decision against the imposition of Penalty/Interest for the period covering objection proceedings and/or appeals.
In this Article I make an analysis of the said decision.
HOW TO START AND OPERATE A SAVINGS AND CREDIT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY IN UGANDA.
Overview
The UPDF SACCO WAZALENDO has assets of over UGX270 Billion. On their own, the Soldiers may never have been able to amass such wealth. Centenary Bank as we know it today is a creature of a few likeminded individuals who brought their resources together and built the institution to what it is now. It is clear from these examples that joining and starting a SACCO is a wise thing to do. In this Article, I explain what a SACCO is, its benefits, the legal process of registering and operating one.
A CALL FOR REGULATION OF THE HERBAL MEDICINES INDUSTRY IN UGANDA
Overview
In this Article, I write about Uganda’s herbal medicine industry, and make a call for its regulation. Although proper regulation of the industry would have immense health benefits, the call I make is more from the commercial side of things. I share details about the growing global market trends in the consumption of herbal medicine and opine therefore that government needs to pay more attention to this industry due to its potential economic benefits.
How To Handle Unlawful Dismissal
Employment is the backbone of our social structure and the end game of the education system. It has permeated its place in the society as a bedrock of survival and a catalyst for human development. This conundrum arose mainly as a result of the birth of monetised economies fuelled by capitalists’ desires to make more profits at...
How to Compute Rental Tax
In this article I analyze provisions of the Income Tax Act Cap 340 as amended by the Income Tax (Amendment Act) 2014, on rental tax and break down in simple terms how to compute rental tax. I demonstrated the advantage that companies as landlords have over individuals as land lords.
Public Interest and Human Rights Aspects underlying copyright and trademark protection in Uganda.
Although Intellectual property laws confer proprietary rights on their owners/holders, rights akin to any other form of property, there has always been a separation of treatment ...
Everything Wrong with the Sudhir and Bank of Uganda Ruling
On the 26 th , August 2019, Honorable Justice David Wangutsi delivered a landmark decision in Miscellaneous Application No. 320 of 2019 arising from High Court Civil Suit Number 0493 of 2017 filed by Sudhir Ruparelia and Meera Investments
against Crane Bank in Receivership. By the detailed 22 paged ruling, the said judge dismissed the Bank of Uganda suit ...
Withholding Value Added Tax in Uganda
In July 2018, Uganda, impossed an obligation on certain taxpayers to wihthold value added tax (VAT). Barely three months after its introduction, the implementation of the law was halted and in July 2019, the law wa amended to cure some defects in the previous law. This article explains why the previous law failed and analyses the 2019 amendment and its possible effect