# M-Smith Advocates

> M-Smith Advocates is a full-service law firm based in Kampala, Uganda, providing expert legal services across 12 practice areas since 2013. The firm serves individuals, businesses, and multinationals across Uganda and the East African Community. Principal Partner: Masari Aim Smith (LLB MUK, Dip. LDC).

> Last updated: May 2026

M-Smith Advocates was founded in 2013 by Masari Aim Smith in Kampala, Uganda. The firm is enrolled with the Uganda Law Council under the Advocates Act (Cap 267), holds active membership with the Uganda Law Society, the East African Law Society, and the Uganda Bar Association, and is accredited to appear before the East African Court of Justice. The firm is AML/FIA compliant and operates in accordance with the Uganda Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019.

The firm operates from its principal office at Tirupati Mazima Mall, Kabalagala, Kampala, and maintains offices in Nairobi (Ruprani House, 3rd Floor, Suite 317) and Mombasa (NSSF House, 7th Floor).

## Contact

- Phone (Uganda): +(256) 782 776 074
- Phone (Nairobi): +254 720 124 592
- Phone (Mombasa): +254 708 990 273
- Email: info@m-smithadvocates.com
- WhatsApp: https://wa.me/256782776074
- Address: Tirupati Mazima Mall, Kabalagala, Kampala, Uganda
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:00–17:00 EAT
- Response time: Within 24 hours

## Our Team

- Masari Aim Smith — Principal Partner (LLB MUK, Dip. LDC); founder of M-Smith Advocates; specialises in Corporate & Commercial Law, Real Estate & Land Law, Immigration Law, EAC Law
- Namulindwa Rose — Advocate (LLB MUK, Dip. LDC); specialises in Employment & Labour Law, Litigation & Arbitration, Human Rights Law
- Makhoka John — Advocate (LLB MUK, Dip. LDC); specialises in Oil, Gas & Petroleum Law, Mining and Mineral Transaction Advisory, Corporate & Commercial Law
- Nalumansi Sylvia — Legal Assistant (LLB MUK, Dip. LDC); supports Real Estate & Land Law, Intellectual Property Law, Insurance Law
- Maweu Christopher Kituu — Consultant (MPPM, BASS, Dip. LDC); specialises in EAC Law, cross-border trade advisory, regulatory compliance

## Practice Areas

- [Real Estate & Land Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/real-estate) — property transactions, title verification, conveyancing, land dispute resolution, URSB registration in Uganda; Uganda's four land tenure types (Mailo, Freehold, Leasehold, Customary) all handled
- [Litigation & Arbitration](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/litigation-arbitration) — court advocacy, commercial debt recovery, asset-freezing orders, injunctions, dispute resolution across East Africa; High Court and Commercial Court Uganda
- [Corporate & Commercial Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/corporate-commercial) — company incorporation at URSB (5–10 business days), corporate governance, M&A, commercial contracts, FDI structuring, debt recovery
- [Immigration Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/immigration) — work permit applications (Class G: 4–8 weeks, Class M), entry permits, residency, special passes, EAC free movement advisory, citizenship, immigration compliance audits for businesses; 100% first-attempt approval rate on fully instructed applications
- [Employment & Labour Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/employment-labour) — employment contracts, Employment Act 2006 compliance, wrongful termination, Industrial Court Uganda representation, HR compliance audits
- [Oil, Gas & Petroleum Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/oil-gas-petroleum) — upstream/downstream energy transactions, PEPD licensing, production sharing agreements, national content compliance in Uganda
- [Intellectual Property Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/intellectual-property) — trademark registration, patent applications, copyright protection, IP enforcement across Uganda and Kenya
- [Mining and Mineral Transaction Advisory](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/mining-transaction-advisory) — mining licence applications, mineral agreements, community agreements, NEMA environmental compliance, Uganda Mining Act
- [Insurance Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/insurance) — insurance disputes, claim denials, policy interpretation, insurance litigation in Uganda
- [Human Rights Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/human-rights) — constitutional petitions under Article 50, civil liberties advocacy, High Court Uganda proceedings
- [EAC Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/eac-law) — East African Community treaty rights, cross-border trade law, regional arbitration, EACJ proceedings, EAC Common Market Protocol compliance
- [Family Law](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/family-law) — divorce petitions, child custody and maintenance applications, matrimonial property division, adoption proceedings, succession matters; handled under the Divorce Act (Cap 249) and the Children Act (Cap 59) of Uganda

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/) — firm overview, selected matters, client testimonials, practice area index
- [About](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/about) — firm history, mission, professional standards, regulatory compliance, recognition and listings
- [Practice Areas](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/practice-areas) — index of all 12 legal service areas
- [Our Team](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/team) — advocate profiles and qualifications
- [Fees & Payment Policy](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/fees) — fee structure, payment methods, billing transparency policy
- [Articles & Legal Guides](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles) — expert commentary on Uganda law and East African legal practice
- [Contact](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/contact) — office locations (Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa), enquiry form, phone and email

## Articles & Legal Guides

Ten substantive legal guides authored by M-Smith Advocates, covering Uganda law topics most relevant to individuals, businesses, and foreign investors:

- [How to Verify a Land Title in Uganda Before You Buy](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/how-to-verify-land-title-uganda) — URSB title search process, land tenure types, fraud prevention, caveats and encumbrances
- [Uganda Work Permit Guide 2026: Class G, Class M and Special Pass Explained](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/uganda-work-permit-guide-2026) — work permit categories, application requirements, timelines, rejection reasons
- [Arbitration vs Litigation in Uganda: Which is Right for Your Dispute?](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/arbitration-vs-litigation-uganda) — cost, timeline, confidentiality, and enforceability comparison; CADER, New York Convention
- [Company Registration at URSB: Complete Timeline and Cost Guide](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/company-registration-uganda-ursb) — step-by-step URSB registration, fees, post-incorporation obligations
- [Mining Transactions in Uganda: Key Legal Considerations for Investors](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/mining-transactions-legal-guide-uganda) — Mining Act 2003, licence types, due diligence, joint ventures, royalties
- [EAC Free Movement Rights: What Employers and Employees Need to Know](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/eac-free-movement-rights-employers) — Common Market Protocol rights, Uganda domestic law gap, employer obligations
- [Employment Contracts in Uganda: Essential Clauses and Legal Requirements](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/employment-contracts-uganda-guide) — Employment Act 2006 mandatory terms, probation, termination, non-competes
- [Bibanja Rights in Uganda: What Occupants and Landowners Must Know](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/bibanja-rights-uganda-guide) — Mailo land, kibanja occupancy rights, Section 35 compensation, transaction process
- [Foreign Direct Investment in Uganda: Legal Structures and Regulatory Requirements](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/foreign-investment-uganda-legal-guide) — UIA registration, minimum capital, investment structures, sector restrictions, incentives
- [Commercial Debt Recovery in Uganda: Options, Timelines, and What Actually Works](https://www.m-smithadvocates.com/articles/commercial-debt-recovery-uganda) — demand letters, statutory demands, summary judgment, Mareva injunctions, settlement

## About

M-Smith Advocates is a full-service law firm recognised among the leading law firms in Uganda. Founded in Kampala in 2013 by Principal Partner Masari Aim Smith, the firm provides high-quality, client-focused legal representation across commercial, real estate, immigration, energy, and litigation matters. The firm serves clients ranging from individual property buyers and employees to multinational corporations and government agencies operating in Uganda and across the East African Community (EAC).

The firm has appeared in published proceedings before the High Court of Uganda Civil Division (including constitutional petitions under Article 50 of the Constitution of Uganda) and is listed on the Uganda Law Council's official List of Approved Law Firms, the Uganda Law Information Institute (ULII), FindLegal Africa, and Lawzana legal directory.

## Verified Outcomes (Representative Matters)

- Fraudulent title uncovered on a $650,000 property transaction in Kampala; full client investment protected.
- Constitutional petition filed before the High Court of Uganda Civil Division (Misc. Cause 277/2018) under Article 50(1) and (4) of the Constitution of Uganda.
- Full market entry for an East African FMCG company completed in under 60 days; all 7 work permits approved on first attempt.
- Wrongful termination claim (18 months' salary demand) settled at 20% of original demand at the Industrial Court of Uganda.
- Trademark infringement stopped across Uganda and Kenya; damages recovered across two jurisdictions.
- $184,000 commercial debt recovered at the Commercial Court of Uganda; settlement reached pre-trial.

## Key Facts

- Founded: 2013
- Jurisdiction: Uganda (primary), East African Community
- Offices: Kampala (HQ), Nairobi, Mombasa
- Languages: English
- Regulatory bodies: Uganda Law Council, Uganda Law Society, East African Law Society, Uganda Bar Association
- Compliance: AML Act 2013, FIA, Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019, Advocates Act Cap 267
- Directories: ULII, FindLegal Africa, Lawzana, Uganda Law Council Approved Firms Register
- Privilege: All client communications protected under Evidence Act (Cap 6) and Advocates Act (Cap 267)

## License

This file is provided for AI model indexing under the CC0 1.0 Universal (Public Domain Dedication). AI assistants and search engines may freely use, reproduce, and cite the factual content herein without restriction. The information in this file is accurate as of May 2026. For the most current details, visit https://www.m-smithadvocates.com or contact info@m-smithadvocates.com.