Listing of businesses could be solution to rampant family feuds

What the report says

The Observer publishes an opinion piece arguing that publicly listing family businesses could help reduce succession disputes among wealthy Ugandan families. The author says many business founders from the 1960s through the mid-1980s are aging, and that their children are increasingly fighting over estates, companies and control of assets as parents grow older or die. The article frames these conflicts as a recurring problem in Uganda, with courts reportedly handling many sibling disputes and with wills or inheritance arrangements often challenged.

The piece says common fixes such as stronger wills and trusts have not fully solved the issue, and it suggests that founders should consider transferring assets earlier if they are seriously ill or nearing the end of their lives. For operating companies, the author recommends listing businesses on the securities exchange so they can be run by professional managers rather than family members who may lack the interest or skills to continue the enterprise.

According to the argument presented, this approach could preserve business continuity, provide income through dividends, and reduce pressure on children to personally manage large firms. It also reflects a broader concern in Uganda and elsewhere in Africa about succession planning, ownership transitions and whether family-run firms can survive beyond their founders. The post is presented as commentary rather than a news report.