Uganda

Highlights  

Ortus Advocates acted as legal counsel to KCB Bank Uganda in its financing of up to $10,000,000 towards the development, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP). Acting as local counsel, the firm advised on the legal landscape to ensure the transaction aligned with both Ugandan and international legal standards. This included examining the draft financing term sheet; drafting and reviewing the commitment letter; and negotiating and reviewing English law financing documents, including the Facility Agreement, Common Terms Agreement, Security Trust & Intercreditor Deed, the Onshore Accounts Agreement, and the project documents. The transaction closed in January 2025 and was led by Birungi Kaburara.  

The firm is also advising Verity Nature on the structuring, regulatory clearances, and implementation of a 12‑year programme to plant up to 5 billion trees across Uganda. The firm’s mandate includes corporate structuring; land-tenure strategy and long-term leases with farmers; environment and social impact assessments; carbon-credit documentation; and alignment with Uganda’s nascent carbon-market and climate-policy framework. The team acted as lead counsel to the sponsor and was led by Birungi Kaburara. The project is currently in the implementation stage. 

Partner Simon Peter Kinobe left the Infrastructure & Construction team in February 2025 to be appointed as a judge of the High Court of Uganda.  

Key Clients  

KCB Bank Uganda Limited; Ecobank Uganda Limited; Abler Nordic; Green Lexus LLC; Verity Nature; Colombo Capital US; East African Crude Oil Pipeline Limited (EACOP); Verity Nature Limited; African Women Industrial Park LLP; CNOOC Uganda Limited 

Testimonials 2024/2025  

“They are very knowledgeable and have a good understanding of local law, whilst providing international standard legal advice.” (Project Development) 

“Their experts are readily available to the project, deliver within the timelines, and offer innovative solutions above the scope.” (Project Development) 

“We appreciate the firm’s attention to detail, personal initiative, and connections in the political sector.” (Project Development) 

“They are responsive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with.” (Project Development) 

“Birungi Kaburara-Mugisha is switched on, innovative, energetic knowledgeable and easy to work with.” (Project Development) 

“Birungi Kaburara-Mugisha is energetic, responsive, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.” (Project Development) 

“Caroline Mbabazi engages with the client and delivers detailed reporting.” (Project Development) 

“Emmanuel Tumuhaise is extremely organized. We appreciate his attention to detail and full commitment.” (Project Development)