Leading firms in Uganda

AF Mpanga Advocates

With particular expertise in banking and finance and fintech, AF Mpanga Advocates has a broad practice and assists with matters including M&A, restructuring and insolvency, tax and media. Managing partner Ernest Wiltshire‘s broad range of expertise covers employment law, immigration, personal injury, product liability, tax and regulatory compliance. David Mpanga is a highly experienced litigator, arbitrator and corporate lawyer, and Frederick Mpanga is particularly knowledgeable in banking and finance, sports law and intellectual property. The group also includes corporate and finance specialist William KasoziBrian Kalule, whose focus is tech, media and telecoms; and the tax practitioner Ronald Kalema. Energy specialist Daniel Gantungo is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Ernest Wiltshire; David Mpanga; Frederick Mpanga; William Kasozi; Brian Kalule; Ronald Kalema; Daniel Gantungo


Key clients

Africa Export Import (Afriexim) Bank


China National Oil Operations Company (CNOOC)


Uganda Bankers’ Association


Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited


absa Bank Uganda Limited


Exim Bank Uganda Limited


dfcu Bank Uganda Limited


Citibank Uganda Limited


Allianz SE


NCBA Bank Uganda Limited


Century Bottling Company Limited (Coca Cola)


Google Inc


Majid Al Futaim (CarreFour)


Uber


Pearson


Work highlights


  • Advised Sanlam  and Allianz on the creation of a joint venture vehicle to manage their operations across Africa.
  • Represented Africa Export Import Bank in garnishee proceedings brought against it to attach monies belonging to the Government of South Sudan held in its accounts.
  • Acted for Coca-Cola Beverages Africa in the consolidation of its two Ugandan bottling subsidiaries, Century Bottling Company and Rwenzori Bottling Company Limited to form a single operating entity under the name Coca-Cola Beverages Uganda Limited.

ENSafrica

ENSafrica has a ‘solid, trustworthy and responsive team‘ that advises across a broad range of matters, with specific expertise in banking and finance and corporate and M&A, as well as energy and infrastructure projects. Practice head Rachel Musoke is a syndicated loans transactions specialist and advises on a wide variety of issues, including banking and finance, real estate, construction, tax and employment. The group also includes Phillip Karugaba, who focuses his practice on capital markets, M&A, projects development, infrastructure and energy; the commercial law specialist Donald Nyakairu; and Rehema Nakirya Ssemyalo, who is particularly experienced in M&A, corporate restructurings, energy, projects and infrastructure.

Practice head(s):

Rachel Musoke


Other key lawyers:

Phillip Karugaba; Donald Nyakairu; Rehema Nakirya Ssemyalo


Testimonials

‘A solid, trustworthy and responsive team. This is what I am looking for when it comes to foreign counsel.’

Key clients

Verdant Capital Hybrid Fund | Gmbh And Co Kg


Bluepeak Holdings SÀRL


Frontier Clearing Corporation BV (Frontclear)


AgDevCo Limited


Albatros Energy (U) Limited


Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited


Absa Bank Uganda Limited


Proparco


Engie Energy Access


Work highlights


  • Advised Stanbic Bank Uganda and Absa Bank Uganda on the financing of a term loan and revolving credit facilities to MTN Uganda.
  • Advising Proparco on its financing to Raxio Finance and its subsidiaries in Africa, including Raxio Data Centre Uganda-SMC, for the construction of a data centre in Uganda.
  • Advised Bluepeak Holdings on its financing to Watu Credit Uganda and affiliate companies in Kenya, Tanzania and Mauritius.

MMAKS Advocates

MMAKS Advocates offers a ‘one stop shop for clients' and assists local and international investors and businesses with a wide range of corporate and commercial issues, particularly in the infrastructure, natural resources and energy sectors. Intellectual property law and litigation are further areas of strength. Managing partner Timothy Masembe Kanyerezi is an expert litigator who regularly acts for banks, and the ‘very well connectedApollo Nelson Makubuya leads the commercial and corporate advisory team, assisting with a wide range of transactions. The group also includes Fiona Nalwanga Magona, who assists on multijurisdictional transactions ‘with excellent client care skills’; the corporate law specialist Godwin Kakande; and Flavia Suubo, who focuses on corporate advisory with emphasis on M&A across different sectors.

Practice head(s):

Timothy Masembe Kanyerezi; Apollo Nelson Makubuya; Fiona Nalwanga Magona


Other key lawyers:

Godwin Kakande; Flavia Suubo


Testimonials

‘MMAKS is a full service law firm with capabilities in many disciplines making it a one stop shop for clients. They have recently added capabilities in advisory services such as Forensics and outsourcing. Being a member of ALN also means they can provide cross-border services seamlessly. ’

‘Apollo Nelson Makubuya is not only knowledgeable but very well connected therefore able to help clients navigate legal matters with local knowledge.’

‘Fiona Nalwanga Magona has excellent client care skills and with her broad experience in corporate and project finance can help clients achieve their objectives efficiently.’

Key clients

The East African Venture Capital Association


Nederlandse Financierings-Maatschappij Voor Ontwikkelingslanden N.V (FMO)


ABSA Bank Uganda Ltd


Baker & McKenzie LLP


Webber Wentzel LLP


Anjarwalla Collins and Haidermota


Allen & Overy LLP


Anjarwalla & Khanna LLP


Diamond Trust Bank Uganda Limited


Cliff Decker Hofmeyr


Central Bank of Uganda


Hogan Lovells


Mandela Auto Spares Limited


Norsad Capital Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Mantra Technologies on its acquisition of Seven Hills Impex.
  • Advised the East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) on proposed amendments to Uganda’s legal and fiscal framework for structuring locally domiciled private equity and venture capital funds under the limited liability partnership vehicle.
  • Advised Sanlam on its merger with Allianz by conducting a due diligence on two Ugandan subsidiaries of Allianz covering the areas of corporate, material contracts, regulatory, compliance and litigation.

Engoru, Mutebi Advocates

Engoru, Mutebi Advocates has ‘knowledgeable partners with a good grasp of the market conditions’ and frequently assists clients on financial transactions and project finance and development. Corporate law specialist Arnold Lule Sekiwano is ‘focused on effective client service' and advises on project finance, private equity, digital finance, capital markets and competition law. The group also includes Robert Apenya, who focuses on project development, banking and finance, energy, mining and public-private partnerships; and Ivan Engoru, who leads the dispute resolution practice and acts for clients in employment and construction. Ritah Nakalema is another key contact.

Practice head(s):

Arnold Lule Sekiwano; Robert Apenya; Ivan Engoru


Other key lawyers:

Ritah Nakalema


Testimonials

‘Responsive, personable and knowledgeable partners with a good grasp of the market conditions and an understanding of international clients.’

‘Arnold Lule Sekiwano has spent time at international law firms and is aware of the pressures placed on law firms in delivering quality work within a short space of time. He is highly personable and focused on effective client service, establishing a clear and open communication channel with clients very early on in the advisory process.’

‘They are engaging, available, responsive and understand the local market very well. When working on cross border transactions we enjoy working with them because we can rest easy that they will come through for us and our client.’

Key clients

Master Card Inc


Schindler (SA) Investment Holdings (PTY) Limited


Champion X


UK Export Finance


Islamic Development Bank


Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)


Nokia SA


China Off Shore Oil Engineering Company Limited


Camco Europe Limited


EMF Microfinance Fund, AGMUK


Standard Chartered Bank| PLC


Stitching Medical Credit Fund


Work highlights


K&K Advocates

K&K Advocates is a full-service firm with cross-border capabilities that assists with matters relating to transactions advisory and commercial litigation. Edwin Karugire co-leads the practice and specialises in all aspects of corporate law and is particularly experienced in cross-border acquisitions and sectors including telecoms, tech, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and manufacturing. Alongside him, seasoned litigator Peter Kauma frequently represents multinational and local companies, government parastatals, banks and regional organisations, in cases relating to public law, tax, banking and finance and energy. The group also includes the ‘knowledgeable‘ Paul Katuramu, transactions advisor Pheonah Nankunda, and tax specialist Richard Bibangambah.

Practice head(s):

Edwin Karugire; Peter Kauma


Other key lawyers:

Paul Katuramu; Pheonah Nankunda; Richard Bibangambah


Testimonials

‘The team at K&K is hands on. They are always available and not concerned about the fees until the job is perfectly done.’

‘Paul Katuramu is a very patient and knowledgeable individual. He gives our work extra time and attention.’

Key clients

Absa Bank Uganda Limited


Bank of Uganda


Diamond Trust Bank Uganda Limited


Kabaka of Buganda


National Water and Sewerage Corporation


Thiqa Digital Finance Limited


Uganda Civil Aviation Authority


Uganda Communications Commission


Uganda Electricity Generation Company Limited


Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited


Uganda Railways Corporation


Uganda Security Printing Company Limited


Yi Hai Property Servicing Limited


Work highlights


  • Represented Uganda Railways Corporation in a claim by RVR Investments (Pty) and KU Railways Holdings seeking inter alia for declarations that Kenya and Uganda jointly and severally breached the Interface Agreement, and that Uganda is liable for breaching the Uganda Concession Agreement and the Uganda Investment law.
  • Represented Diamond Trust Bank Uganda and Diamond Trust Bank Kenya in the Supreme Court of Uganda in a matter dealing with the legality of cross border lending, and cross border debt recovery and the operation of syndicated loans.
  • Advised Uganda Civil Aviation Authority on the establishment of a fuel hydrant farm and fuel hydrant system at the Entebbe International Airport as part of the expansion and upgrade of Uganda’s international airport.

S&L Advocates

S&L Advocates is a full-service business law firm with cross-border capabilities, and frequently provides ‘practical legal advice’ to domestic and international organisations and companies in areas including financial services, energy, insurance, telecoms and manufacturing. The ‘very proactiveAlice Nalwoga is a banking and finance specialist, and Paul Mbuga is ‘especially knowledgeable and very resourceful' in matters relating to commercial law and infrastructure. The group also includes Nicholas Ecimu, who specialises in energy, projects and infrastructure; and Winnie Awino, who advises on matters relating to corporate and commercial, projects and banking and finance.

Practice head(s):

Alice Nalwoga; Paul Mbuga; Nicholas Ecimu


Other key lawyers:

Winnie Awino


Testimonials

‘S&L provides value for money services. I especially value their practical legal advice. They approach solutions with a perspective to find a way to make it work, but will not hesitate to let you know if something is truly impossible. I also appreciate their wide network which is valuable when a client needs an introduction or to tap into this network.’

‘I work primarily with Alice Nalwoga and Paul Mbuga. They are both very responsive to communication. Additionally, Alice is very proactive with sharing any Uganda updates that may impact clients not resident in Uganda. Paul is especially knowledgeable and very resourceful in tapping into his network.’

Key clients

MTN Uganda / MTN Group


Stanbic Holdings / Stanbic Bank


dfcu Bank


Vivo Energy


TotalEnergies Marketing


TotalEnergies E&P


Hima Cement


National Social Security Fund


NCBA Bank


British American Tobacco Uganda


Centenary Group / Centenary Bank


Absa Bank


Diageo


Unilever


Work highlights


  • Advised Access Bank PLC Nigeria on its acquisition of Finance Trust Bank and Opportunity Bank, and subsequent merger of the two banks.
  • Advising MTN Group and MTN Uganda on the follow-on secondary sale of shares in MTN UIganda to achieve a public listing float of 20%.
  • Advised Trade and Development Bank on a structured forfaiting transaction involving a distressed construction company (as the seller), the bank (as the buyer) and the Government of Uganda.

Bytelex Advocates

Bytelex Advocates specialises in legal assistance to tech start-ups and emerging companies, described by clients as a ‘tech-savvy partner that understands the needs and challenges of emerging growth and high tech companies in the East African region', with sector-specific knowledge in fintech, mobility, renewable energy, electric vehicles and cosmetics. The ‘outstanding' Raymond Asiimwe whose ‘grasp of legal matters related to startups is extraordinary' assists on matters relating to the full range of a company’s life cycle, including entity selection, employee and founder share schemes, tech licensing, IP creating and monetisation and M&A. The group also includes Irene Eyogyiire who specialises in finance, tax and infrastructure, and the intellectual property expert Martin Asingwire.

Practice head(s):

Raymond Asiimwe; Irene Eyogyiire; Martin Asingwire


Testimonials

‘The practice has innovated new technology and start up specific products such as compliance portals.’

‘The wide network they have was very helpful. I was able to be connected with who I wanted to within the limited timeframe.’

‘What sets Bytelex Advocates apart  is their expertise in legal matters for tech startups, especially when it comes to fundraising. Not many law firms in Uganda understand the ins and outs of negotiating fundraising for tech startups, but Bytelex is among the best in this area. We successfully completed our preseed funding with their help in 2023, and since then, we’ve continued to work with them to make our fundraising legal processes smoother.’

Key clients

International Trade Center (Startup Academy Uganda Programme)


Pindo Inc


Ryra Investments Limited


Yo Waste


Culipa Limited


Anik Industries Limited


Kaiho Industry Co. Ltd


Urid Technologies Limited


Crafthouse Technologies Limited


Karisimbi Technology Limited


Karaa Solutions Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Anik Industries on negotiating a development finance facility from the Uganda Development Bank.
  • Advised Pindo Rwanda on its pre-seed round of $650,000.
  • Retained as lead legal consultant by the International Trade Center to over 100 startups through the YSAU (Startup Academy Uganda).