Charities

The legal regime in this sector requires numerous compliance exercises. With the trends leading to more regulatory oversight, charities must review governance and tax structures. My work experience allows me to offer more than advice on the usual issues. I have handled board affairs for charities looking to improve their governance.Currently, I serve on the board of directors for international organisations on a voluntary basis. I regularly conduct trainings and share updates highlighting the latest developments affecting the charity sector. Your organisation should prepare to have a team culture of compliance. Let me assist you in ensuring compliance and answering any questions on the ever-changing regulatory landscape in East Africa. I also do a lot of pro bono work for various NGOs, human rights organisations and legal aid projects.

As part of my pro bono practice, I was an award winner under the Thomas Reuters Foundation: http://www.trust.org/trustlaw/awards/2018 Let me offer pragmatic legal support to senior managers and trustees to deliver the best outcomes for their beneficiaries. I strive to understand your perspective and appreciate your passion for your projects.

How I can help.

Whether you are looking to set up a new charity, tax structuring, setup a foundation, or enter into any other contractual agreement, including the incorporation of a charity, partnerships, fundraising campaigns or service delivery contracts, I can offer local context and support. Whether you are an international charity, a foundation, social business, impact investor, charity start-up, funder, social justice investor, trustee, senior manager, I offer services including:

• Applications and registration of not for profit permits, renewals, recommendations;

• Employment and HR setup support including: preparing and advising on policies, volunteers, local context best practice. Ongoing support on all employment matters;

• Taxation matters including: tax structuring, tax exemptions, ongoing tax compliance;

• Partnerships: due diligence, negotiation, legal issues and potential obstacles to consider;

• Risk management: internal controls, trustee liability, conflicts of interest, policies, incident reporting, preparation for regulator actions;

• Support in negotiating agreements with local authorities where operations will be based;

• Ongoing compliance like filing annual returns, anti-money laundering filings, data privacy register, regulator office support;

• Corporate Governance and structuring advice including: setup of the best structure, liaison with regulator, all statutory filings, procuring permits and all registration requirements; Protection of organisation interests: vendor contracts, independent contractor agreements;

• Immigration support including dependant passes, foreign employees work permits, short term passes, special passes;

• Intellectual Property support which may include: brand portfolio management, trademarks and utility models for the non – profits; Representation in dispute resolution matters; - Trust and Estate planning to ensure legacy management;

• Real estate: Advising non – profits acquisition of land, leasing property, setting up trusts;

• Data Privacy and protection; - Complaint handling against allegations of non-compliance with local laws;

• Negotiating collaborations, sponsorships, fundraising and other third-party relationships.

Experience.

• Confidential client: Serve as a director on the board of an international charity.

• Confidential client: Local Counsel in the review and update of Trust Deed and Board Manual, and related corporate governance services for an international charity with operations in 7 African countries. Award winner for pro bono service to an indigenous charity supporting victim rights.

• Confidential client: Local Counsel for international charity changing status from an “international organisation” to an “indigenous organisation.”

• Confidential client: Immigration support to numerous local and international charities for work permits, special passes, dependant passes, recommendations.

• Confidential client: Act as legal Counsel on ongoing basis to an international humanitarian organisation on employment litigation matters within Uganda and renewal of its Operators Permits from the Regulator. -

• Confidential client: Lead local counsel in the setup of pension schemes for local staff of an international charity with cross border operations.

• Confidential client: Advised local and international charities on compliance with government directives, rendering day to day legal advice, regulatory operational compliance and employment restructuring advisory.

• Confidential client: Pro-bono local counsel on regulatory compliance, employment disputes, contract negotiation and legal advisory support.

• Confidential client: Acting as legal advisers for a renowned international organisation in setting up in East Africa, including preparing operational policies on HR, risk management.

• Confidential client: Advising an award-winning social business on corporate matters and handling their registration in Kenya and Uganda. -

• Confidential client: Arbitration Counsel for international charity working with implementing partners in South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya. -

• Confidential client: Local Counsel in successful tax exemption applications.

• Confidential client: setup a foundation with sole funding from a private company and later setting up a fully registered charity with ongoing compliance support.

• Confidential client: Legal Adviser & Trainer for senior staff of international charities on developments from the labour courts, regulator audits and risk management.

• Confidential client: Local Counsel for US based organisation closing operations in Uganda. Work involved: settling disputes, regulatory actions, tax settlements.

• Confidential client: Successfully represented an international charity at the Tax Tribunal leading to a refund of $550,000 in VAT refunds from USAID project operations.

• Confidential client: Local Counsel in fraud investigations on behalf of founders.

Fee packages.

The fixed price services give you cost effective legal solutions to issues common in the sector.