Legal team size: Six

Major legal advisers/ external counsel : Shonubi Musoke and Company Advocates (Litigation and Co. Secretarial), S&L Advocates (employment and corporate advisory), Kampala Associated Advocates (Tax advisory and debt collection)

What country you are based in? Uganda

Looking forward, what trends do you foresee in the legal landscape over the next 5–10 years that companies should prepare for?

Many companies are looking for specialised services at a lower cost. I believe we will see more insourcing and reliance on the in-house counsel. The in-house counsel has developed skills beyond the legal knowledge and will have to give a wider scope of services and strategic advice. Departments like human resources and operations will also rely heavily on the in-house counsel and we have seen lawyers transitioning into HR and operations roles.

Additionally, with the increased focus on data privacy, technology and AI, efficiency and data/information management will become a critical aspect of company operations. Companies will digitise their documentation, speed up their legal operation maturity, rely heavily on electronic processes and invest more in data protection. The contract lifecycle management process will be greatly enhanced, and cyber security will become more of a legal issue than an IT one.

The increased digitisation and anti-money laundering will result in greater transparency for regulators and tax authorities. This will change the way companies manage their documents, and the in-house counsel must lead the innovation process and ensure that the company is protected.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting?

In April 2025, Umeme’ 20-year concession ended, and the electricity distribution assets were retransferred to the government owned Uganda Electricity Distribution Company . The retransfer process involved five years of preparing or reviewing complex legal, commercial and technical documentation and engaging with several stakeholders. Our goal was to ensure that the retransfer was conducted with minimal interruption to the over 2,500,000 customers and that the shareholders of the company, which is listed on the Uganda Securities Exchange (USE) and Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) were protected.

Following the retransfer, I have been involved in a claim from Umeme to the Government of Uganda for a buy-out amount of USD 290m, which is expected to be resolved through arbitration in the United Kingdom. This has required several months of negotiation, engagement with regulators, shareholders and the public, and countless strategy sessions.

How does your team contribute to the overall business strategy of the company?

Umeme is heavily regulated by virtue of its status as a public company listed on the USE and NSE. The legal section advises the business on its statutory and regulatory rights and obligations. We also represent the company before the regulators and in courts of law. This advice includes compliance and governance advice, risk management, and the implementation of ESG by the company. The legal section represents the company but also provides training to staff to ensure that they are aware of the legal and regulatory obligations and act in accordance with the law and best practice.

How are you bringing the legal department closer to your business colleagues?

The legal section operates a business partnership model where we regularly engage with our colleagues and provide advice that it tailored to the specific activities and needs of the company. Through regular training and advice, we have ensured that all our colleagues are aware of the legal and regulatory landscape, and they follow the law and best practice in their day-to-day activities.