K&K Advocates

K&K has handled some of the largest M&A transactions in the country covering full deal cycle from due diligence, negotiation, transaction documentation to regulatory compliance. We have been counsel in two of the biggest ever telecommunication acquisitions in Uganda. We have also handled several cross border M&A transactions in the FMCG, Pharmaceuticals, Media, Security Printing, Agriculture and Manufacturing sectors.

The firm has since establishment maintained a strong employment and labour law practice. We have handled staff restructuring exercises of a large magnitude to ensure legal compliance by our clients and to manage the regulatory environment surrounding these exercises. Some of the significant restructuring exercises that we have handled are in the telecom sector where we were instructed at different times to advise on staff restructuring by three of the biggest telecom companies in Uganda. We have also reviewed and advised on the human resource policies and manuals to ensure compliance with labour laws by some of the largest employers in Uganda including the biggest media company in Uganda. In the Oil and Gas sector, we have provided legal services to resolve unique issues arising in the industry like social security payment obligations on expatriate pay; exemption from minimum work hours from Ministry of Labour; labour dispute resolution mechanisms; guidance on the labour law and regulatory regime; EHS procedures; Occupational injury and death; Registration of foreign doctors and clinics. We have also provided legal solutions for work permit challenges arising from the 28 day rotation schedule for contractors with high worker turnover like drilling services.

Land acquisition is an involved and at times unpredictable undertaking given the multiple authorities and the communal land ownership systems in some parts of the country. We have used our experience in mass land acquisition to deliver a level of predictability and dispute-free acquisition for our clients. Noteworthy clients for whom we have carried out mass land acquisition and way leaves for include leading telecom companies, the national water utility company, the national electricity transmission company, the national motor vehicle inspection service concessionaire and large scale private sugar and palm oil agriculture concerns.

The firm has successfully handled claims for compensation of surface rights by project affected persons for large scale land acquisition. In addition, we have successfully litigated land disputes in the Supreme Court leading to the recovery of prime land by the state broadcaster, the social security fund and a prime city hotel group.

We have advised leading insurance companies in Uganda in claims management processes, regulatory compliance and have been active in Insurance litigation. In recognition of our leading and effective role in the sector, the firm was in 2017 appointed to the Uganda Insurers Association lobby group to provide advocacy for industry concerns.

Protection of the intellectual property in product and brands is a fast-growing area in Uganda. The firm has provided registration services, opposition and defence representation during registration process, as well as litigation against infringers of registered marks. The firm has represented leading telecommunications and FMCG companies in the registration and defence of trademarks and acts as local agent for foreign marks.

K&K takes a practical and business centered approach to dispute resolution. We have a good track record in resolving complex legal disputes. The firm has represented the social security fund in negotiating settlement of a suit for recovery of 843 acres of prime land in a transaction that had been declared by the Constitutional Court to be void; We have represented the biggest construction company and the Oil and Gas licensees in the resolution of complex tax disputes thereby saving considerable funds; We have also represented the biggest media house in Uganda in the reduction of its defamation litigation portfolio by over 50% through proper analysis, quick response and settlement of avoidable claims.