Uganda

Firm overview

SM&Co Advocates was registered as Shonubi, Musoke & Company Advocates in 1987. The firm was started at a time when new attitudes and opportunities were emerging in Uganda, and has steadily grown into one of the largest firms in the country. In a jurisdiction where few firms have managed to specialise, we have succeeded in building a specialised practice with core capabilities in, all fields of corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, energy and infrastructure, litigation and dispute resolution practice ranging from non-contentious transactional work to highly contentious complex litigation.

Our expertise and business knowledge have consolidated our position as market leaders, exemplified by our lengthy and ever-increasing portfolio of impressive international and local clients. Our portfolio of clients includes both international and domestic institutions such as large corporate, airlines, banks, academic institutions, electricity generators and distributors, property developers, NGO’s, telecommunication companies, insurance companies, petroleum companies as well as government agencies and statutory bodies.

The firm has continuously been rated as a leading law firm in Uganda by IFLR 1000, Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500 directory of leading financial and energy law firms. The 31st Edition of IFLR1000 rankings accorded it the highest possible Tier 1 classification in the Financial and Corporate and Energy and Infrastructure categories; whilst Chambers and Partners has classified it as a Band 1 General Business Law Firm in their 2023 ranking and a Tier 1 Law firm by the Legal 500 and a leading Intellectual Property Law firm by WTR

The individual partners within the firm have also been recognised as leading lawyers in Uganda within their respective areas of expertise by IFLR 1000 and Chambers Global, these include:

a) Dr. Alan Shonubi, Corporate and Commercial law, Banking and Project Finance
b) Mr. Noah Mwesigwa, Corporate and Commercial law sector
c) Mr. Andrew Kibaya, Banking and Project Finance sectors
d) Mr. Innocent Kihika, Energy and Infrastructure and Project Development sectors.
e) Ms. Brigitte Kusiima, Corporate and Commercial law sector
f) Ms. Hellen Nakiryowa, Banking and Project Finance sectors

With thirty-one (31) professional staff members comprising of nine (9) partners, nineteen (19) associates, one (1) of counsel and two (2) consultants, the firm is among the largest law firms in the country.

Details of our competence with integrated descriptions of our experience can also be found on our website: www.shonubimusoke.co.ug.

Firm overview

Ortus Advocates is a full-service corporate and commercial law firm in Uganda. The firm is part of the Ortus Africa brand, a professional services firm bringing together resources with a wealth of experience and knowledge in law, tax and business advisory services. 

Our key practice areas include corporate, mergers & acquisitions, banking and finance, capital markets, project finance, project development, oil & gas, tax, and business rescue, restructuring & insolvency. Our lawyers have a unique understanding of Uganda’s political, economic, regulatory, and legal environment.  With a team of over 20 lawyers we confidently guide both local and international clients across a range of industry sectors in execution of complex and innovative transactions and disputes.

The firm also boasts of a dedicated China practice bolstered by our alliance with the Yingke Law which focuses largely on matters born of the commercial expansion of those countries’ interests in Africa.

We are very active in the fintech and innovative ecosystem of Uganda. Through our partnership with the Innovation Village, Ortus Advocates is at the forefront of the innovation and acceleration industry in Uganda.

Firm overview

Ligomarc Advocates is a corporate, financial, and infrastructure law firm with 22 years of experience. With a team of 21 lawyers and multidisciplinary professionals, we deliver strategic legal solutions rooted in technical excellence and commercial insight. As a member of Andersen Global, we offer cross-border capabilities in every engagement.

Our Tax & Private Wealth practice advises businesses, financial institutions, high-net-worth individuals, and exempt entities on all aspects of tax law. We provide expert cross-border guidance on transfer pricing, treaty structuring, and global compliance. We also support individuals and family enterprises in estate planning, trust formation, and succession planning across jurisdictions.

In our Insolvency & Business Restructuring practice, we serve as insolvency practitioners, turnaround advisors, and legal counsel in corporate restructurings and insolvency proceedings. Trusted by lenders, boards, and distressed companies, we deliver value-driven solutions in receiverships, administration, liquidation, and debt workouts.

Our Finance, Power & Infrastructure team advises banks, development finance institutions, project sponsors, and government entities on complex financial and infrastructure transactions. We ensure legal clarity across project structuring, finance documentation, regulatory compliance, and bankability.

Our Dispute Resolution team, is trusted counsel in high-stakes commercial, financial, and regulatory matters. We regularly appear before Uganda’s courts, arbitration panels, and regulatory tribunals, resolving complex disputes efficiently and strategically—particularly in securities enforcement, corporate governance, and cross-border claims.

Firm overview

MMAKS Advocates is a leading specialized full-service law firm in Kampala with a longstanding reputation of quality and excellence. It is one of the largest firms in Uganda, with a total of 34 proficiently trained lawyers and a total support staff complement of 69. The firm combines well-established litigation practice and commercial transactional practice. MMAKS is a member of Africa Legal Network, a leading independent alliance of top tier African law firms. MMAKS is also a member of the Employment Law Alliance and First Law International.