Overview
Oil and gas law in Uganda sits at the intersection of constitutional law, natural resource governance, commercial regulation, land rights, environmental protection, and dispute resolution.
Under Uganda’s constitutional framework, petroleum is treated as a national resource. Article 244 of the Constitution vests the property in, and control of, all minerals and petroleum in, on or under any land or waters in Uganda in the Government on behalf of the Republic of Uganda. This means that oil and gas activities are not only private commercial arrangements, but are also subject to public regulation, licensing, state oversight, and national interest considerations.
Uganda’s petroleum legal framework further regulates exploration, development, production, licensing, participation of commercial entities, petroleum infrastructure, safety, decommissioning, payments arising from petroleum activities, and restoration of affected land. The Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Act, 2013 was enacted to give effect to Article 244 of the Constitution and to regulate upstream petroleum activities in a structured and sustainable manner.
Kashillingi Rugaba & Associates provides legal representation and advisory support to clients involved in oil and gas-related matters, including petroleum operations, project agreements, regulatory compliance, commercial negotiations, land access, compensation concerns, procurement issues, corporate obligations, and disputes connected to the sector.
The firm’s approach recognises that oil and gas matters often carry legal, commercial, regulatory, environmental, and reputational implications. We therefore assist clients with careful legal analysis, structured representation, and practical guidance in matters requiring disciplined handling within Uganda’s developing petroleum sector.
How the firm assists
- Advising on petroleum-related agreements, project documentation, and commercial arrangements.
- Supporting clients on regulatory compliance, licensing concerns, and sector obligations.
- Representing clients in oil and gas-related disputes, including litigation and arbitration.
- Advising on land access, compensation, resettlement, and project-related community concerns.
- Supporting negotiations involving contractors, service providers, investors, and project stakeholders.
- Advising on corporate structures, joint ventures, financing arrangements, and operational risk.
- Providing legal support on procurement, supply contracts, and sector-specific commercial transactions.
- Assisting clients with environmental, safety, decommissioning, and restoration-related legal issues.
- Representing clients in disputes involving government agencies, regulators, contractors, or commercial parties.
- Providing strategic legal guidance where oil and gas matters involve public interest, commercial risk, or reputational sensitivity.