AF Mpanga Advocates is a prominent name in the Ugandan legal market, with an excellent track record in handling M&A, financing and restructuring mandates for clients in a broad range of sectors. Banking and finance work forms a core pillar of the practice, and the group is regularly instructed by commercial banks and international financial companies. Dispute resolution, tax, intellectual property and technology matters are further areas of strength. Firm managing partner Ernest Wiltshire is a key contact for employment law matters, and David Mpanga handles complex disputes, regulatory compliance issues and commercial transactions. William Kasozi is a highly regarded lawyer in the finance arena. Frederick Mpanga is active in IP and real estate work, and Brian Kalule specialises in tech, media and telecoms. Daniel Gantungo is highly experienced in handling energy sector projects, and Ronald Kalema is particularly knowledgeable in tax law. Jonathan Kiwana lends support on banking and finance cases.

Under the leadership of Rachel Musoke, the team at ENSafrica is well regarded for its expertise in assisting banking and finance, insurance, telecoms and infrastructure sector clients with restructurings, M&A, PPP matters and financing work, to name a few areas. Musoke has an excellent track record in handling real estate, construction, employment and banking and finance matters, and Rehema Nakirya Ssemyalo acts for public and private sector entities on corporate and compliance issues. Donald Nyakairu is particularly knowledgeable in commercial law, and Phillip Karugaba is highly regarded for his extensive experience in capital markets, projects development and private equity. Sheila Ann Pacuto is a name to note.

MMAKS Advocates has a solid track record in advising commercial banks, financial institutions and government entities on a wide range of matters, with particular expertise in corporate and commercial issues. Timothy Kanyerezi Masembe is very well known for his litigation expertise, and is regularly sought after by commercial Uganda banks. Fred Ssenyonga is a key name for banking and finance work, while Victor Mathias Ssekatawa specialises in IP and Moses Adriko leads the dispute resolution group. Corporate and commercial law is a core area of strength for both Fiona Magona Nalwanga and Apollo Nelson Makubuya.

DLA Piper Africa, Uganda (S&L Advocates) leverages the wider strength of the DLA Piper network to advise on a wide range of complex matters, including M&A, capital markets, restructuring, and project and debt financing work. Energy sector projects are also a key focus for the group, which is adept at handling the commercial and regulatory aspects of project transactions. Nicholas Ecimu is well versed in assisting with large-scale infrastructure projects, and Paul Mbuga‘s workload includes commercial law, capital markets, infrastructure and energy sector matters. Ecimu and Mbuga lead the practice with Barnabas Tumusingize, James Mukasa Sebugenyi and Moses Segawa. In January 2024 Alice Nalwoga left the firm for an in-house role at Stanbic Bank Uganda.

At Shonubi, Musoke & Co Advocates, the team works closely in tandem with the wider global network of Norton Rose Fulbright to assist with complex cross-border transactions and project matters across a broad range of sectors, particularly infrastructure, energy and financial services. The client base includes domestic and international financial institutions. Firm managing partner Noah Edwin Mwesigwa has extensive expertise in the M&A space, while Andrew Kibaya handles banking and finance and taxation issues, often advising banks on transactions and regulatory matters. Innocent Kihika focuses on energy and infrastructure, and is sought after by private developers and government entities to assist with projects. Other key practitioners include Alan Shonubi and Peters Musoke.

With particular expertise in financing matters, Engoru, Mutebi Advocates has a broad practice and assists with matters including M&A, capital markets and restructurings. The practice is jointly led by the trio of Ivan Engoru, who advises on employment law matters and dispute resolution; Arnold Lule Sekiwano, who has extensive expertise in corporate law and is equally adept at handling capital markets, project finance and private equity work; and Robert Apenya, who focuses on project development, PPP and energy sector matters.

Bytelex Advocates is very well known for its specialist expertise in acting for tech start-ups, and acts as counsel to companies seeking entry into the Ugandan market. The firm reports an uptick in work from the fintech sector, and is well versed in assisting technology entities with regulatory compliance matters. Irene Eyogyiire's workload includes finance, tax and infrastructure matters; she jointly leads the group with Martin Asingwire, who fields expertise in intellectual property law alongside dispute resolution, and Raymond Asiimwe, a key contact for IP and M&A matters.

The team at Kampala Associated Advocates stands out for its solid offering in transactional work, often representing clients in the banking and finance and natural resources sectors. Firm managing partner Joseph Matsiko has extensive expertise in dispute resolution, while Elison Karuhanga leads the energy practice, acting for public bodies and government agencies in mandates concerning oil and gas and renewable energy projects. Other key practitioners include Augustine Obilil Idoot, who specialises in telecoms and technology law; head of the banking and finance department Zulaika Mirembe Kasajja; and Erone Martin, whose focus is energy, infrastructure and commercial law.

At Mukumbya Musoke Advocates, the team handles a broad range of corporate and commercial transactions, and is well versed in handling project development, banking and finance, M&A and restructuring mandates. The 'responsive' Julius Musoke is highly regarded for his extensive experience in projects, banking and corporate law matters; he leads the group with Karoli Ssemogerere and Diana Kibuuka, who counts M&A, tax and insolvency law as core strengths.