ALN Uganda Promotes Corporate Partner

MMAKS Advocates has rewarded the dedication and service of transactional lawyer Godwin Kakande by elevating him to partner after six years with the firm. Kakande, who specializes in corporate and commercial law, brings his expertise in global and African markets to the Uganda member of the African law firm alliance Africa Legal Network (ALN). MMAKS Managing Partner Timothy Masembe congratulated Kakande on this well-deserved promotion, emphasizing the value of his legal proficiency to the practice.

Godwin Kakande’s practice covers a broad spectrum of legal areas, including capital markets, oil and gas, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), private equity, public-private partnerships (PPPs), insolvency, data protection and privacy, as well as insurance. He also deals with various tax issues, such as income tax, transfer pricing, capital allowances, withholding tax, and VAT. Among his notable cases, Kakande advised African consumer lending company Bayport Management in its proposed initial public offering (IPO) and listing on the London Stock Exchange. He also played a crucial role in guiding the International Finance Corporation in establishing a regulatory framework for a proposed PPP related to highway construction in Kampala. Additionally, he provided legal counsel to the Diamond Trust Bank of Kenya in a tax appeal at the Tax Appeals Tribunal against an assessment by the Kenya Revenue Authority, which set a significant precedent concerning withholding tax on fees charged by foreign banks on nostro accounts.

Godwin Kakande’s experience extends beyond Uganda, as he is also an advocate of the High Court of Uganda and Kenya, and he is admitted to the State Bar of New York. Prior to his tenure at MMAKS, he gained valuable experience working at Anjarwalla & Khanna, ALN’s Kenya member firm and the largest law firm in Kenya.

In related news, ALN appointed MMAKS Advocates as its exclusive member firm in Uganda in October this year, further cementing the firm’s role in the African legal landscape.