Corporate and Commercial

We are recognized as a leading law firm in corporate and commercial law in Uganda. We have been involved in some of the largest and most complex deals in corporate mergers and acquisitions in Uganda and the region generally. Our M&A and Joint Venture team has developed a broad vision of the issues that confront business organizations and an aptitude for developing novel, creative and constructive solutions in relation to mergers and acquisitions

Offering an extensive service in all commercial contracts in a regulatory environment, the team interfaces extensively with our firm’s specialist industry and business teams. By combining financial, taxation, competition, regulatory and employment law expertise, the firm has become known for its value-generating role in corporate restructuring and commercial contracts.

The employment law aspects of such transactions are highlighted immediately and as such mitigating any labour related risks. Our corporate and commercial practice also advises the full spectrum of companies like SME’s and start – up’s.

Competition law issues arising in M&A transactions are more often than not deal breaking and any such. Achieving competition clearances in significant cases may call for complex and high profile dialogue with competition regulators within tight timetables

We have acted as legal counsel for acquirers and target companies, advising on legal, regulatory and tax aspects of complex multi-jurisdictional transactions. Our expertise in mergers and acquisitions as well as capital market transactions has won us accolades, including citations and ranking in leading legal directories like Legal 500 EMEA and IFLR1000.

Our specialty services include:

1. Mergers and acquisitions
2. Privatization
3. Schemes of arrangement
4. Corporate restructuring
5. Take-overs
6. Management buy-outs
7. Company sales and purchase
8. Due diligence investigations
9. The statutory and regulatory environment affecting listed public and other companies
10. AThe duties and responsibilities of directors and their officers.

Our willingness and ability to understand our clients’ businesses and the markets where they operate, coupled with our considerable expertise in putting a client’s case to the authorities, sets us apart

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• We were local Counsel to Platinum Equity on its US$ 2BN acquisition of Johnson & Johnson’s blood monitoring glucose business by Platinum Equity providing regulatory and transactional advice; competition advice, employment advice
• Acted as Ugandan Counsel to Dyer and Blair Investment Bank on its proposed disposal of its retail business in Uganda to another regulated entity which included regulatory and corporate advice, tax and employment; capital markets advice.
• We are advicing a leading international food services and facilities management company and a Ugandan company oni its Joint Venture arrangments with respect to the Tilenga project which advice included Joint venture documentation, regulatory compliance, and local content advice.
• We acted for Schlumberger Oilfield on its contractual obligations and liability under a Joint Venture arrangement with a company operating in Uganda and South Sudan.
• Acted as legal adviser to FACTS East Africa BV, a leading supply chain finance company on its corporate re – organization by way of a group transfer of shares, issuances of additional shares and subsequent debt – equity conversions with respect to existing shareholder loans. We also advised on the corporate re –alignment of the subsidiary operations with the Holdco which included tax advice to ensure minimum tax exposure.
• Represented Abraaj on its tax liability on cash payments with respect to its set – up of a credit fund for Africa.
• We represented Uganda Securities Exchange on its proposed set – up of a Small Medium Enterprise “SME” focused fund. Our advice entailed regulatory, corporate and tax advice including advice on the domicile of the fund i.e. onshore or offshore for tax efficiency purposes.
• Represented a Healthcare focused private equity fund on its equity investment into a leading Uganda private hospital group.
• Acted as legal advisor to Chemiphar Uganda Limited, a leading international “Belac” credited laboratory on an equity investment by Pearl Capital Partners through its Yield Fund and Abi Trust Fund
• Acted as legal advisors to Zoctu, a leading e – commerce and logistics provider on a proposed equity investment by a strategic partner domiciled in Mauritius.
• Acted for a leading Private Hospital in Uganda on a sharia compliant financing from a fund based in the United Arab Emirates.