Comment 2 for bug 136560

Removing kubuntu-default-settings solve this, but you will lost most of your customization of design and the kicker mini-applets wont start anymore until you add them again.

But this is only a hack and the origin should be solved. I've read in package description that the change from .kde to $HOMEKDE is volitional. But it seems to be totally useless because the old path, folders and configuration files are still there.