Uganda 5 in 5 with Diana

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dikyobutungi/

Partner, TASLAF Advocates Director, DK Butungi & Co

• Legal advisory
• Corporate and Commercial Advisory
• Energy,Projects and Infrastructure 
• Oil and gas
• Family Business 
• Franchising
• Arbitration 
• Strategic Advisory Services
• Corporate Consulting
• Set up & Secretarial
• Knowledge Management
• Change Management
• Specialized sector services
• Local Coordination &Representation 
• Third Party Liaison
• Research, among others. 

Uganda’s legal market is experiencing robust growth in demand for law firm services, especially in transactional, regulatory, and dispute resolution matters. In 2025, legal work is being driven by increased M&A activity across sectors like technology, financial services, healthcare, and energy, fuelled by regulatory reforms, new compliance requirements, and foreign investment.

Transactional Demand

• Cross-border M&A and private equity deals have surged in Uganda since 2024, with transaction values rising rapidly and several high-profile acquisitions in telecoms and energy.
• Legal advisors are in high demand for complex deals due to regulatory changes such as the Competition Act, tax reforms, and requirements for share listings on the Uganda Securities Exchange.
• The clean energy sector and infrastructure projects continue to attract investors, creating significant opportunities for transactional and project finance lawyers.
• Dispute Resolution and Compliance
  • Regulatory and compliance reforms—such as new standards in capital markets and ESG requirements—have raised the need for advice on due diligence, governance, and anti-money laundering.
  • Litigation and alternative dispute resolution work are increasing, with law firms assisting on complex commercial disputes, bankruptcy and restructuring, and tax appeals.
  • Clients increasingly demand cross-border expertise, as many businesses operate across East Africa or seek global legal support.
• Key Trends Shaping Legal Work
  • The emergence of fintech and digital services has produced new demand for legal services around privacy, technology contracts, and financial regulation.
  • Regionalisation and globalisation have prompted Uganda’s major firms to partner with international networks to meet cross-jurisdictional client needs.
  • Law firm clients include multinationals, banks, oil & gas companies, and investors, all facing an evolving regulatory environment shaped by reforms in competition law, tax, and consumer protection.
• Firms and lawyers with expertise in transaction structuring, regulatory navigation, and litigation are best positioned to capture Uganda’s growing legal market opportunities as 2025 progresses