General Business Law: Uganda

THE FIRM This dynamic team has grown organically over the last year, and is engaged in an increasing number of major international transactions, especially in the oil sector. Examples include representing CNOOC in the acquisition of a third of Tullow Oil's Western Uganda exploration blocks, a deal valued at USD1.467 billion. The firm also acted on a number of matters for Citibank, including advising on a USD15.9 million credit facility as well as representing the bank in a complex dispute.

Sources say: "This is a very good firm - their work is really outstanding."

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Mpanga leads the group and is a popular choice for both transactional and dispute resolution work: "He's spot-on, does thorough research and is very responsive." Managing partner Ernest Wiltshire is known for his skills in litigation, and his practice highlights include a significant commercial dispute within the energy sector. William Kasozi specialises in banking and finance, and his in-house experience is greatly admired.

THE FIRM This long-established practice maintains its reputation as a market leader, while new offices and several additions to the team reflect its focus on further development. The growing international interest in Uganda's oil and gas sector has made a considerable contribution to its workload, while telecoms is another growth area, bringing with it a number of high-value transactions. The group also continues to handle a variety of banking, securities and insurance work.

Sources say: "We respect them - theirs is a very large team, well qualified and with good experience."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sim Katende is a highly regarded transactional lawyer, with considerable experience in tax matters. He is described as "very commercial," and "a guy who gets things done." The renowned John Katende can draw on more than 30 years of experience in litigation, and also works on non-contentious matters spanning the spectrum of corporate law. Fellow senior partner Edward Frederick Ssempebwa is also a pre-eminent figure in the Ugandan legal world.

THE FIRM MMAKS Advocates continues to operate at the highest level in local and cross-border matters. Banking and finance remains a strong area, and Standard Chartered Bank Singapore retained the practice in relation to loan facilities worth USD200 million. Private equity is also an increasingly important field for the firm, and it advised London-based fund TLG Capital on its acquisition of a 20% stake in Vero Food Industries. The team's role as a member of ALN (formerly Africa Legal Network) further rounds out its multi-jurisdictional abilities.

Sources say: "This is an excellent firm, good in transactions and litigation too." "They're one of the big firms in terms of volume, size and renown."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peers laud Timothy Kanyerezi Masembe for his strength in litigation. Sources say "he is impressive and does some of the most serious cases." Clients enthuse about Phillip Karugaba, who "dedicated a lot of time to our deal and went out of his way to help us." Rachel Musoke is commended for her high-profile M&A work, and is a transactional lawyer to watch in the future.

THE FIRM This firm has grown organically, and it now features the specialist skills of new partner Moses Segawa, head of the employment, benefits and pensions department. Transactional highlights include numerous mandates relating to high-value loan facilities, such as advising East African Development Bank on three term loan facilities with an aggregate value of USD27 million. The team is also active in commercial litigation, and acted for the Civil Aviation Authority on a multimillion-dollar aviation negligence case before the Court of Appeal.

Sources say: "The firm has high-calibre staff, extremely swift turnaround times and is committed to quality." "Clearly one of the top firms in Uganda."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients are impressed by Barnabas Tumusingize's wide-ranging abilities in banking law: "He delivers consistently excellent work." James Mukasa Sebugenyi is "level-headed, commercial and technically excellent."

THE FIRM Peers commend this team for the quality of its work and its ability to attract high-profile instructions. Banking and securitisation continue to be mainstays of the practice, while other highlights include a large project financing transaction relating to the Kenya–Uganda railway. The firm advises clients on a number of energy projects, and is also prominent in litigation.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ebert Byenkya is very well known as a litigator, and has a strong reputation for his experience in the telecoms industry.

THE FIRM This seven-partner firm offers a wealth of experience, and clients value the team's commercial awareness. It has an excellent reputation for the prominent role it plays in the oil sector, which includes acting for Tullow Oil, one of the major players in this field. Other important areas for the practice include telecoms, dispute resolution and financing.

Sources say: "They are able to bring a deep sense of experience." "Well-rounded advice on all aspects that a client could want."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Peter Kabatsi is the firm's managing partner and a leading figure in the litigation team. Oscar Kambona is singled out as "the person to go to on all tax matters." David Mpanga leads the commercial team and is carving a name for himself as a noteworthy player in corporate finance; sources regard him as "switched-on and pragmatic."

THE FIRM Shonubi Musoke attracts an impressive range of work in the corporate and finance fields, advising clients on M&A matters and several syndicated and single lender facilities. Highlights include representing Roofings Rolling Mills in relation to a USD40 million syndicated loan from various local and international banks, and advising Africa Frontier Capital Partners on its USD15 million acquisition of an equity stake in Electro-Maxx. The Government of Uganda also retained the team to advise on a USD700 million PPP alongside Norton Rose Africa Legal.

Sources say: "Customer service is great - they are proactive, responsive and keep the client well informed."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients appreciate lead partner Alan Shonubi's understanding of their business needs: "We've found his input in negotiations invaluable." Noah Edwin Mwesigwa continues to build up his practice, leading on many key corporate matters. Clients praise the fact that he is "really motivated," and commend his "key strength - the ability to manage the risk in transactions."

THE FIRM One of the oldest firms in Uganda, Kateera & Kagumire enjoys a long-standing reputation for the quality of its output. The team handles a broad range of commercial matters, including debt capital market transactions, insurance work and real estate deals, as well as advising on disputes and IP issues. Users are drawn from a high-profile client base including major financial institutions.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Fisher Kanyemibwa is an experienced lawyer who is highly respected for both litigation and non-contentious corporate work.