Empowering East African Business Through Law
When Death Tests the Living: What the Mutaaga Case Teaches Us About Family, Culture, and the Law
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
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
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
When Death Tests the Living: What the Mutaaga Case Teaches Us About Family, Culture, and the Law
On 20th April 2026, the High Court sitting in the Family Division delivered a decision that will likely become a defining reference point in Uganda’s evolving jurisprudence on burial...
Bank of Uganda’s Gold Purchase Programme: A Turning Point for Investor Protection and Professional Risk in Uganda’s Gold Market
On 20 April 2026, Bank of Uganda announced the launch of a pilot Domestic Gold Purchase Programme. At one level, this is a reserve management strategy, diversifying assets
A Win for Importers: The Tax Appeals Tribunal Rejects Arbitrary Customs Valuation Practices
On the 13th of February 2026, the Tax Appeals Tribunal reaffirmed a principle that many importers have long insisted upon, often in the face of steep and unexpected assessments: the price actually paid for goods remains the primary basis for customs valuation and cannot be disregarded without