Empowering East African Business Through Law
Uganda among top financial markets in Africa: Key Legal Implications for Business Owners and Investors
About Us
TARA Advocates is an award-winning female-led commercial law firm based in Kampala, Uganda. Founded in 2019, the firm has quickly grown into a regional force. We partner with clients across East Africa and globally, leveraging a network of affiliate firms in Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania to provide seamless cross-border support. Our vision is “to ease the doing of business” through quality legal services, and we specialise in corporate, finance, intellectual property, tax, contract, real estate, family and labour law.
Other areas of practice include law , Family T elecommunications law , Corporate Finance and Governance. Our services include general legal consultancy and advisory services, legal compliance, company registration and corporate secretarial services, contract drafting, negotiation, and review, conveyancing, intellectual property registration, protection and enforcement, HR related services, litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Our culture is highly collaborative and client-centred. As a female-led firm, we blend strong legal expertise with empathy and creativity. We have a high success rate in dispute resolution and a track record of positive outcomes for clients.
Featured Article
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...
Employer Identity Statement
Inclusive, Empowering Leadership: As a female-led law firm, TARA Advocates is committed to diversity and inclusion at every level. We foster a supportive, collaborative culture where all team members, regardless of background, can grow, innovate, and lead.
Knowledgeable & Effective: Knowledgeable & Effective: We pride ourselves on being “Knowledgeable, Responsive & Effective” in serving clients. This same excellence applies internally: we invest in continuous professional development (legal and soft skills training) so our people stay at the cutting edge of commercial law and client service.
Innovation and Growth: TARA encourages entrepreneurial thinking. We embrace new technologies and sustainable business practices, guiding our staff in legal tech, ESG compliance, and creative problem-solving. Every employee is valued as a partner in delivering value beyond price.
Work-Life Balance & Community:We support work–life harmony and community engagement. Our team enjoys flexible policies and participates in pro bono and sustainability initiatives, reflecting our belief that a healthy, inclusive workplace produces outstanding client results.
Areas Of Practice
TARA Advocates offers comprehensive legal services tailored to the needs of businesses and organizations. Key practice areas include:
Corporate Law & Advisory
TARA Advocates provides end-to-end support for company formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and regulatory compliance. We advise fintech start-ups, telecom operators, energy investors, and family businesses on structuring operations for sustainable growth. Our services also include contract drafting, negotiation, secretarial services, and board advisory. Clients rely on us to help align their businesses with best practices, promote resilience, and support expansion across Uganda and the East African region.
Banking, Finance & Capital Markets
We deliver comprehensive legal support for financing transactions, venture capital and private equity deals, project finance, and securities regulation. Our team advises investors, lenders, and corporates on structuring investments, regulatory compliance, fund formation, and debt or equity financing. We are well-versed in cross-border transactions, offering clients practical solutions that minimize risk and optimize value. Our expertise spans both domestic financing arrangements and international lending or syndicated deals.
Intellectual Property Law
Protecting innovation is critical to business success. We assist clients in securing and enforcing trademarks, patents, copyrights, and industrial designs. Our services cover IP registration, infringement litigation, brand protection, licensing, and commercialization strategies. We represent clients before the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) and courts. With extensive experience advising tech, media, and manufacturing sectors, we help businesses leverage their intellectual assets and maintain a competitive edge locally and internationally.
Tax & Regulatory Compliance
We guide businesses through the complexities of taxation and regulatory frameworks. Our services cover tax compliance advisory, tax dispute resolution (including before the Tax Appeals Tribunal), cross-border tax planning, VAT, and customs matters. We also conduct comprehensive legal audits to identify regulatory risks and strengthen internal controls. Our tax and regulatory team supports clients in optimizing structures, achieving compliance, and managing risk in an ever-evolving Ugandan and East African legal environment.
Employment & Labour Law
We offer strategic support for employment contracts, workplace policies, labour disputes, and human resource compliance. Our team conducts internal HR audits, advises on recruitment, restructuring, termination, and disciplinary processes. We represent clients before the Labour Office and Industrial Court and provide training for management teams. We ensure that employment relationships are aligned with labour laws, enhance workforce engagement, and mitigate legal risks for employers across industries including NGOs and multinational companies.
Real Estate & Construction Law
TARA Advocates provides full-service support in real estate and construction, including conveyancing, leasing, due diligence, and project development. We assist with acquisition, land titling, construction agreements, and condominium law advisory. Our team guides investors, developers, and property owners on zoning regulations, encumbrances, landlord-tenant relations, and regulatory compliance. We are trusted advisors for local and international clients navigating complex real estate landscapes and advancing major infrastructure and development projects.
Family Law & Succession Planning
We offer compassionate yet strategic legal support for individuals and family businesses in family law and estate matters. Our services include marriage agreements, divorce, succession planning, estate administration, trusts, and family business governance. We help clients secure family assets, ensure generational wealth transfer, and resolve disputes with sensitivity and professionalism. Our estate planning practice includes drafting wills, powers of attorney, and succession structures that promote harmony and long-term prosperity.
NGO & Not-for-Profit Legal Support
TARA Advocates is a trusted partner to NGOS, charities, and social enterprises across East Africa. We offer registration, governance, compliance, tax exemption advisory, and grant agreement drafting services. Our team understands the unique operational and regulatory challenges facing non-profits. We provide strategic legal advice to support organisational growth, funding acquisition, and cross-border program implementation. Our NGO clients benefit from our deep experience in aligning legal frameworks with mission-driven goals.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Resolving disputes efficiently and strategically is central to our litigation practice. We represent clients in commercial, civil, and administrative disputes through court proceedings and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, including mediation and arbitration. With a success rate exceeding 90%, our seasoned trial and ADR lawyers secure favorable outcomes in complex cases. We are committed to minimizing business disruption, preserving relationships where possible, and achieving outcomes that protect and advance our clients' interests.
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Compliance
We help businesses integrate ESG principles into operations through advisory on environmental law, sustainability standards, social impact regulations, and governance best practices. Our lawyers assist clients in developing ESG policies, risk management frameworks, and compliance reporting structures. TARA Advocates is committed to promoting responsible business practices. We contribute to public awareness and thought leadership on sustainability issues through legal publications, community education, and advocacy for environmentally and socially conscious business models.
Read Our Latest Publications
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.