Regulators around the world, including Uganda, are becoming more aggressive and cooperative in investigating and enforcing anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and related economic crimes. As the global economy becomes increasingly integrated, investigators, regulators and prosecutors have become more stringent in their enforcement measures. Consequently, apart from being subject to Uganda corruption legislation, Ugandan companies and directors (or companies doing business in Uganda) must understand legislation in other jurisdictions. The United States and the United Kingdom have particularly onerous provisions coupled with strong cultures of enforcement and prosecution.
CM Advocates Uganda has huge experience and expertise in the field of bribery and corruption including, inter alia, defending allegations of complex fraud, bribery, corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, falsified accounting, insider dealing, abuse of office, extradition proceedings as well as anti-trust and consumer protection related criminal proceedings. Our team regularly advises and consults for corporations and individuals under investigations in such complex and high-profile cases.
The Ugandan Penal Code Cap. 120, The Anti-Corruption Act 2009, and Anti- Money Laundering Act 2013 govern the conduct of companies and individuals in respect of bribery and related corrupt practices such as facilitation payments and improper business or hospitality expenses.
The Anti-Corruption Act has far-reaching effects and the stiffest penalties. For instances, those found guilty of bribery of public officers, are liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years or a fine of Four Million Eight Hundred Thousand Uganda Shillings, or both.
We regularly act for corporates and individuals subject to criminal investigations and prosecutions; some of which involve a slew of investigative bodies. We also help corporates and individuals to deal with internal investigations relating to bribery and corruption as well as managing the relationship with enforcement agencies.
Our team is well versed in providing excellent strategic advice, which often results in cases being discontinued or in not- guilty verdicts at trial.
We also can advise on issues relating to drafting and review of anti-corruption and anti-bribery policies, self-reporting and well; as in representing clients in restraint and confiscation proceedings as well as civil recovery orders by the Assets Recovery Agency. Where applicable, we also help clients negotiate and conclude plea- bargaining agreement with the Office of Director of Public Prosecution.
For corporates who are victims of bribery and corruption, we offer a wide range of services to recover assets, commercial litigation and assets tracing and recovery. We are also offering advice on enhancing and remediating and the corporate compliance programs to mitigate the risk of further incidents of bribery and corruption within the organization.
