As Uganda’s economy matures and its digital landscape expands, a new generation of female legal minds is at the forefront of this transformation.
From the corridors of the High Court to the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency and oil and gas, these women are not just practising law; they are redefining it.
Below are the profiles of the top female lawyers currently reshaping the Ugandan legal sector in 2026.
Fiona Magona Nalwanga
Expertise: Corporate Advisory, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Energy, and Project Finance
Nalwanga is a Partner at MMAKS Advocates and is widely regarded as one of the most efficient corporate lawyers in East Africa. With over 17 years of experience, she is the go-to advisor for multi-jurisdictional commercial transactions.
Impact: She currently leads the legal team advising on complex greenfield refinery and pipeline projects, critical components of Uganda’s first oil journey.
Sector Influence: Her work spans banking, telecom, and mining, where she bridges the gap between local regulatory frameworks and international investor requirements.
Alice Namuli Blazevic
Expertise: Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT), Blockchain, AI, and Crypto
Namuli is a Partner at Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates and a pioneer in the intersection of law and technology. Often referred to as ‘The Tech Lawyer’, she is the leading authority on emerging technologies in the region.
Impact: She is the founder of the Legal Innovation Hub (Africa) and Chairperson of the Uganda Legal Tech Network.
Sector Influence: She has represented major Fintechs and Blockchain businesses, helping draft the legal blueprints for a digital-first economy in Uganda.
Mercy Kyomugasho Kainobwisho
Expertise: Intellectual Property (IP), Business Registration, and Public Administration
As the Registrar General and Executive Director of the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Mercy has led a digital revolution in public service.
Impact: Under her leadership, URSB fully transitioned to online systems, drastically reducing the cost and time of doing business in Uganda.
Sector Influence: She is a fierce advocate for Intellectual Property rights, ensuring that Ugandan innovators and artists are legally protected on a global scale.
Pheona Wall SC
Expertise: Governance, Public Relations, and Commercial Transactions
The President Emeritus of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and Managing Partner at Nabasa and Company Advocates, Pheona is a master of governance and leadership.
Impact: She is the CEO of the League of East African Directors (LEAD) and has been instrumental in spearheading the construction of the 7-story ULS House.
Sector Influence: Known for her mantra “Faithful, Available, Teachable,” she has shifted the legal sector toward ethical practice and robust corporate governance.
Sunita P. Advani
Expertise: International Arbitration and Investment Treaty Law
Sunita is a global legal practitioner with experience spanning Singapore, London, and New York. She brings a world-class perspective to Ugandan commercial disputes.
Impact: As a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, she specialises in resolving complex disputes in the energy and pharmaceutical sectors.
Sector Influence: She is reshaping how Ugandan firms approach international contracts, emphasising arbitration over traditional litigation to save time and resources.
Shamim Malende
Expertise: Constitutional Law, Human Rights, and Pro-Bono Litigation
Malende is an ‘Iron Lady’ of the Ugandan legal and political scene. As the Kampala District Woman Representative (2021–2026) and a key legal mind for the National Unity Platform (NUP), she represents the bridge between law and social justice.
Impact: She has handled over 200 pro-bono cases for marginalised citizens, proving that the law is a tool for the powerless.
Sector Influence: Her presence on high-profile legal teams has elevated the role of women in constitutional and political litigation.
Irene Ikomu
Expertise: Civic Tech, Democracy, and Strategic Advisory
Ikomu is a lawyer and civic innovator who uses technology to monitor governance. As the CEO of Muyi Consulting Group, she advises on resilient civil society across East Africa.
Impact: She co-founded Parliament Watch Uganda, an initiative that uses tech to make parliamentary activities transparent to the public.
Sector Influence: She is a leading voice on how young people can participate in democracy outside traditional political channels.
Rebecca Proscovia Nambi
Expertise: Tax Advisory and Oil & Gas Law
A Co-founder and Partner at Ortus Advocates, Rebecca is one of the most seasoned tax practitioners in the country with over 21 years of experience.
Impact: Recently appointed to the Tax Appeals Tribunal (July 2024), she sits at the heart of resolving the nation’s most complex tax disputes.
Sector Influence: Her deep knowledge of Oil and Gas taxation is vital as Uganda moves toward its 2026 oil export target.
Stella Marie Biwaga
Expertise: Natural Resources Management and Policy Advocacy
Stella is a Board Member of the Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and a specialist in social justice within the extractive industries.
Impact: She holds a Master of Laws in Oil and Gas, and focuses on gender equality and economic empowerment within the energy sector.
Sector Influence: She ensures that Uganda’s oil wealth is managed with a ‘gender-responsive’ lens, advocating for the rights of women and children.