Francis’ practice covers projects and infrastructure and corporate and commercial advisory. He acts for corporate and infrastructure entities on legal, regulatory and transactional matters, including legal due diligence, corporate finance, commercial contracts and compliance and risk. Francis also has experience in arbitration and has acted for private and government clients in domestic and foreign-seated commercial arbitrations.
Experience has included advising:
- Diageo Uganda [Uganda Breweries] and Designer Group on the regulatory and contractual requirements for the establishment of an off-grid, own-consumption steam energy generating biomass plant for exclusive internal energy requirements.
- AMEA Power on the establishment of solar and wind power (the first of its kind) stations in Uganda with a combined capacity of 102 MW.
- Sino Hydro Corporation Limited in adjudication and conciliatory proceedings in respect of contractor claims for extension of time for the construction of the US$ 2 billion 600 MW Karuma hydro-power dam. The proceedings resulted in an amicable settlement of the claims.
- EGIS Road Operation S.A.S in a procurement-related dispute in connection with the Kampala‐Entebbe Expressway.
- Nakasero Hospital Limited, a leading private hospital in Uganda in relation to a multi-million-dollar construction project to expand its existing hospital facilities.
- A South African entity, Tourvest Group’s Ugandan subsidiary on environmental compliance and other regulatory matters regarding the its existing eco-tourism resort at Kalagala Falls in Kayunga district.
- Hima Cement on environmental, occupational health and safety compliance following a fatal fire accident at the company’s cement manufacturing plant in Kasese.
- Midland Emporium in defending a US$ 386,400 ICAMEK arbitral award before the High Court of Uganda arising from a breach of an exclusive distributor agreement.
- A Ugandan consultancy company in a multi-million-dollar London-seated arbitration under the auspices of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
- The World Trade Organization and the World Bank Group for the performance of a detailed survey on barriers to services, trade and investment in Uganda.
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Uganda.
Education
- Nottingham Trent University: Master of Laws (International Trade and Commercial Law).
- Makerere University: Bachelor of Laws.
- Law Development Centre: Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (bar qualification).
Memberships
- Member of the East African Law Society.
- Member of the Uganda Law Society.
Uganda is experiencing growing positive attitudes towards international arbitration as an established mechanism for resolving disputes.
The High Court (Commercial Division) in Kampala delivered an important decision relevant to arbitral practice in Uganda. In Miscellaneous Cause No. 021 of 2021 (Lakeside Dairy Limited v International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation in Kampala (ICAMEK) and Midland Emporium Limited), the Court declined to set aside an arbitral award rendered by an arbitral Tribunal under the auspices of ICAMEK as the administering institution under the ICAMEK Arbitration Rules.