Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Languages
Generic
Harold Roger Obiga

Harold Roger Obiga

Kampala

Summary

Legal counsel/lawyer with 18 ( Eighteen) years expertise in regulation, governance and legal advise in industries of power and electricity, renewable energy ( solar and Hydro), telecommunications , information and communications technology, banking and finance. I have practiced in regulation, government relations, compliance, public-private partnerships , regulation and alternative dispute resolution practices and project finance. I work with governments, public agencies, DFIs and private project developers , to develop legal , regulatory and policy solutions that create meaningful infrastructure projects in Eastern and Southern Africa.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate

Work History

Director, Legal Services /Secretary

Electricity Regulatory Authority
10.2011 - Current
  • 2021 - 2023: World Bank/ Government of Uganda. Development of private sector transmission regulations and regulatory framework for Uganda.
  • 2017 - 2022: African Development Bank/ Government of Uganda. Legal advice on cross-border power project development between Uganda - DRC and South Sudan for 400kW and 220 kV power transmission lines. Drafted Intergovernmental Agreements and Risk Analysis Frameworks.
  • 2022: World Bank/ Eastern Africa Power Pool. Registration and establishment of Regulatory Board of the Eastern Africa Power Pool
  • 2015 - 2022: Government of Uganda / ERA: Legal advice on amendment of sector Electricity laws. Amendment of the Electricity Act 1999, and regulations for Installation Permits Committee, Net Metering, Independent Power Transmission, Electricity Metering, Grid Code, Royalties, Licensing and Tariff Code.
  • 2013 - 2017 : Government of Uganda/ World Bank and KfW: Legal advise on Electricity Policy reviews: Renewable Energy Policy 2017, restructuring of the Electricity Sector Industry, Global Energy Feed In Tariff Policy ( 2015 - to date), Renewable Energy Feed In Tariff Policy ( with Frankfurt School of Finance and Management), Energy for Rural Transformation and Electricity to Connections Policy.
  • 2015 - 2018: East African Community/ Energy Regulators Association of East Africa: As Chairperson of the EREA legal portfolio committee harmonised regulations in East Africa on Cross Border Electrification, Eastern African Power Pool interconnections, Stakeholder consultation, Electricity Sector Governance and independence renewable energy development , petroleum regulation, customer protection and regulation across Zanzibar, Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Burundi.
  • (2012 / 2017) ( 2019 - 2022) Government of Uganda: Negotiated and provided legal advice to concession reviews of distributor in Uganda ESI for two control periods ( 2012 - 2019 and 2019 - 2025) that will result in loss reduction, improved reliability and increased electricity connectivity.
  • 2014 -2016: ERA/ NARUC/ USAID: Legal advise on the development of regulations for Uniform Systems of Accounts and Mini Grid Power sector of Uganda.
  • 2013 - 2017 : Global Energy Feed In tariff Program ( GETFiT) funded by ( KfW, DFiD, EU, WBG, AfDB, IFC , USAID) for Uganda. Development of standardized power project documents ( Power Purchase Agreement, Direct Agreement, License and Government Support Agreements) for renewable energy development ( solar, hydro, wind and bagasse) to drive sector direct and indirect public and private funding of electricity generation projects of over 2 billion USD and 450 million USD for Uganda's ESI generation between 2013 - 2022
  • 2013 - 2017: Government of Uganda/ KfW : Legal advice on competitive power procurement for grid-connected solar power investments in Uganda that resulted in over 17 power projects generating over 150 MW and attracting over 450 Million USD private capital into Uganda electricity sector
  • 2011 - to date : The government of Uganda conducted , regulatory impact assessments for principle and subsidiary legislation to improve regulatory efficiency and processes in theelectricity sector and increase access to 80%/2040. ( Electricity Amendment Bill, 2020, Public Private Partnership Act and Regulations, Regulatory filings rules, , Electrical Installation Permits, Licensing, Tariff Reviews, Fees, Tariff Code, Grid Code, Safety, Uniform System of Accounting, Off Grid Power Development, Investment)
  • 2013 - 2015: Government of Uganda/ China Exim bank: legal advice on development ( licensing, power purchase agreement, escrow agreement and support agreements) for 600MW and 183 MW Karuma and Isimba HPP projects.
  • 2015 - 2019: African Development Bank/ Government of Uganda. Conducted impact assessment for Electricity Sector Industry of Uganda on regulatory substance and processes procedures which resulted into ERA emerging the best regulator in the African Development Bank , Regulatory index in the years 2018 and 2019
  • 2018: Private Sector Foundation Uganda/ Institute of Corporate Governance Uganda. Implemented high quality corporate governance standards in ERA which resulted in ERA emerging the second runner up as best Public Sector entity awards (2018) in Uganda's premier Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda ( ICGU) awards
  • 2017/2018: Government of uganda/ IFC: Provided legal advise to GOU in renegotiation of GOU refinancing/restructuring of a 930 Million USD , 250 MW Large Hydro Power project involving multilateral lenders, Development Finance Institutions ( DFIs)
  • 2011 to date: Uganda - I conducted legal diligence and licensing of Independent Power Projects ( over 83) and Public Private Partnership projects in Uganda's Electricity Sector Industry in electricity generation , distribution and transmission
  • 2012 - 2016 : Government of Uganda/ ERA. Represented the GOU before the Electricity Disputes Tribunal in concession dispute involving Umeme Limited local electricity distributor of licensed concessionaire that resulted into a yearly saving of closed to 300 Million USD for the next 10 years
  • Represented the Authority and Government of Uganda in various regional and and continental fora African Forum for Utility Regulation, East African Energy regulators Association and Eastern African Power Pool , Common Market for East And South Africa (COMESA) to address on going concerns in East Africa and COMESA Regions
  • Pioneered and led the private prosecution of cases in the ESI under authority of the Directorate of Public Prosecution on theft of electricity , vandalism of electrical equipment resulting into saving of over 50 Million USD per annum
  • Developed and implemented compliance, monitoring and enforcement program for ESI of Uganda and assessment of Compliance and enforcement strategies of National Energy Regulators in East Africa of the Electricity, Regulatory, Renewable Energy and Gas sectors
  • Managed 10 daily staff operations of the directorate ( Legal, Secretary, Information and Communication technology, Library and Resource Center and Records and Registry) while overseeing 80 licensees to foster continued electricity supply

Adjunct Lecturer

Uganda Christian University
01.2019 - Current
  • Established and continue to facilitate Masters in Laws Students to apply theoretical concepts in Energy Law and Policy for Financing of Renewable Energy, Energy Policy, Energy Transactions and Renewable Energy Policies and Dispute resolution, Renewable Energy Technologies

Senior Legal Officer

EcoBank Uganda Headquarters
09.2008 - 10.2011
  • Set up the Legal and Company secretary department of Ecobank Uganda Limited by established processes, procedures and best practices for the new bank
  • Provided legal advise to Ecobank on a 100 Million USD , Syndicated loan facilities to corporate clients, MTN Uganda Limited and Roofing's Limited
  • Developed, drafted and reviewed contract documentation for Ecobank such as Mortgage Deeds, Guarantee agreements, Overdraft facilities, Syndicated loan agreements , debenture and all securitisation transactions on behalf of the company
  • Established and implemented compliance controls in line with Bank of Uganda Bank regulations for minimum lending thresholds Know Your Customer and Anti Money Laundering
  • Supervised a team of 5 External attorney law firms, paralegals, and other legal personnel to ensure productivity and coordination. and produced legal documents such as briefs, pleadings, appeals, wills and contracts
  • Managed and organized all aspects of corporate and banking and finance legal transactions coordinating document flow and logistical preparation for complex legal transnational closings
  • Organized and oversaw legal audits of Ecobank , its branches and employees to ensure legality of bank transactions, compliance, Know Your Customer, Anti Money-laundering
  • Conducted legal due diligence on bank customers in taxa, company compliance, real estate and conveyancing and governance in industries of agriculture, small and medium enterprises, telecommunications health care, hospitality, commercial trading, import and export
  • Implemented company compliance programs by researching changes in mortgage and e-commerce legislation, maintaining company policy documentation, and educating personnel on compliance policies
  • Conducted training and educated for clients and employees by conducting compliance training programs and issuing periodic communications to refresh their knowledge of compliance work practices
  • Advised and implemented Ecobank lending thresholds on achieving statutory compliance by interpreting regulations, suggesting company policies, and distributing literature on compliant work practices
  • Promoted compliance by advising management on actions that needed to be taken or prohibited in order to comport with Central Bank regulations
  • Maintained safe custody of records of client, vendor contracts and the bank security documents

Legal Consultant/Temporary Legal Officer

Uganda Communications Commission
01.2008 - 09.2008
  • Developed Regulatory Information Management system for management and monitoring of compliance with regulatory processes of the Uganda Communications Commission Licensee's' in telecommunications infrastructure and services
  • Conducted regulatory impact assessments for revision of telecommunications license regimes and drafted license templates for Public Infrastructure Provider, Public Service Providers ( Voice and Data and Capacity Resale Licenses). Licensed all licensees under new license regime in 4 months
  • Conducted due diligence on infrastructure and service licensees/providers for for telecommunications and postal licenses
  • Drafted and reviewed Information and communications technology laws and regulations for Electronic Commerce, set up of National Information Technology Authority ( Uganda), Quality of Service, Numbering and Fees

Legal Associate

Rwaganika And Co Advocates
2007 - 2007
  • Developed legal practice and courtroom skills for Courts f record ( Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court of Uganda) appearances, drafting, filing. This included court documents for court of appeal filings and processes. ( Chamber Summons, Notices, Pleadings, Appeals, Submissions, Witness Statements, Affidavits, injunctions) in both criminal and civil litigation in practice areas tort law, constitutional and administrative law, contract law and employment law

Legal Intern

M.A Ismail And Co Advocates
01.2006 - 08.2006
  • Reviewed legal information, proofed for errors and drafted legal documentation in civil and criminal law, conveyance, litigation pleasing, banking and finance and due diligence for 100% accuracy and client satisfaction

Legal Intern

MMAKS Advocates
2006 - 2006
  • Undertook legal apprenticeship with an IFLR 1000 and Band 1 Chambers Global law firm. This which involved attending to depositions and court proceedings and prepared summaries in criminal and civil cases, legal research, conducting compliance assessments for clients on matters in Intellectual property, Administrative Law, Civil law, Land Law, Tort Law, Company Law, Banking and Fiance, Wills and Trusts, Mergers and Acquisitions. Represented clients in telecommunications, banking and Finance,waste disposal, health, construction, manufacturing industries

Education

Executive Masters In Public Administration - Public Policy Analysis, Administration, Budget.

Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship
Syracuse, NY
05.2023

Certificate - PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE

International Law Institute
Washington, DC
2019

Certificate - Senior Leadership Management Program

Strathmore Business School
Nairobi, Kenya
2019

Certificate - Corporate Governance And Board Leadership

International Finance Corporation
Washington, DC
2018

Certified Expert In Climate & Renewable Energy Finance - Project Finance And Renewable Energy

Frankfurt School Of Finance & Management
Frankfurt am Main,
2016

Certificate - New Managers

Graduate School Of Business, University Of Cape Town
Cape Town South Africa
2015

Certificate - Comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment

Public Utility Research Center
Gainesville, FL
2015

Certificate - Leadership Development Program

FranklinCovey
West Valley City, UT
2015

Certificate - Energy Pricing And Bench Marking

Public Utility Research Center (PURC)
Gainesville, FL
2015

Certificate - Utility Regulation And Strategy

Public Utility Research Center
Gainesville, FL
2013

Master Of Laws - Corporate And Commercial Laws/ Information Technology

Queen Mary University Of London
Greater London, England
2012

Member ICSA (Chartered Secretary And Administrator) - Company Secretarial Practice

The Institute Of Chartered Secretaries And Administrators
Hampshire, England
2012

Certificate Annual Regulatory Studies - Regulatory Studies

Institute Of Public Utilities
East Lansing,MI
2012

ACIArb - Arbitration

Institute Of Chartered Arbitrators
Kenya
2008

PRINCE2 - Project Management

Rovsing Management A/S (Aarhus)
Aarhus,
2008

Post Graduate Diploma In Law - Legal Practice

Law Development Centre
Kampala, Central Region
2007

Bachelor Of Laws - LLB

University Of Dar Es Salaam
Dar es Salaam,
2006

Skills

  • MS-Office proficient
  • Excellent corporate secretarial practice skills and able to conduct with ease detailed assessments of complex legal transactions
  • Policy design and analysis: Proficient in design of policies for energy, infrastructure, Public Private Partnerships and regulation and good at country and transaction political risk profiling and assessment
  • Litigation, negotiation and dispute resolution
  • Leadership of cross-disciplinary teams ( economic, finance, engineering, law, environment and social workers) in conducting assessments in Public Private Partnerships transactions, compliance , analysis and assessment
  • Excellent Legal research, assessment analysis and due diligence
  • Teamwork and Collaboration and cross -cultural competency
  • Good decision and risk assessment skills and further articulate and meticulous in legal drafting
  • Good written , communication and speaking skills in both English and Swahili languages
  • Stakeholder management
  • Legal drafting Skills
  • Transformative Leadership, Negotiation and Mediation
  • Government Regulations
  • Project Finance and Public Private Partnerships
  • Adaptability and problem solving
  • Public speaking, Advocacy and Communication Skills
  • Knowledge of sustainability and climate change issues
  • Indepth knowledge of Renewable energy, regulation , energy laws and policies

Affiliations

  • Member, Uganda Law Society , 2007 to date
  • Member, East African Law Society , 2007 to date
  • Member Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators 2012 to Date
  • Member Institute of Chartered Arbitrators 2008 to date
  • Member Academy of Regulatory Professional , PURC
  • Chairman , Legal Portfolio Committee Energy Regulators Association of East Africa ( EAPP)

Certification

  • Certified Expert in Climate & Renewable Energy Finance, Frankfurt School of Finance and Management.
  • Certified Chartered Secretary and Administrator (ICSA)
  • Certified Corporate Governance and Board Leadership Trainer , (IFC/ICSA)
  • Certified Practitioner, Projects in Controlled Environments, PRINCE 2.
  • Certified (Member) ACIArb (Chartered Institute of Arbitration)

Timeline

Adjunct Lecturer

Uganda Christian University
01.2019 - Current

Director, Legal Services /Secretary

Electricity Regulatory Authority
10.2011 - Current

Senior Legal Officer

EcoBank Uganda Headquarters
09.2008 - 10.2011

Legal Consultant/Temporary Legal Officer

Uganda Communications Commission
01.2008 - 09.2008

Legal Intern

M.A Ismail And Co Advocates
01.2006 - 08.2006

Executive Masters In Public Administration - Public Policy Analysis, Administration, Budget.

Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship

Certificate - PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCE

International Law Institute

Certificate - Senior Leadership Management Program

Strathmore Business School

Certificate - Corporate Governance And Board Leadership

International Finance Corporation

Certified Expert In Climate & Renewable Energy Finance - Project Finance And Renewable Energy

Frankfurt School Of Finance & Management

Certificate - New Managers

Graduate School Of Business, University Of Cape Town

Certificate - Comprehensive Regulatory Impact Assessment

Public Utility Research Center

Certificate - Leadership Development Program

FranklinCovey

Certificate - Energy Pricing And Bench Marking

Public Utility Research Center (PURC)

Certificate - Utility Regulation And Strategy

Public Utility Research Center

Master Of Laws - Corporate And Commercial Laws/ Information Technology

Queen Mary University Of London

Member ICSA (Chartered Secretary And Administrator) - Company Secretarial Practice

The Institute Of Chartered Secretaries And Administrators

Certificate Annual Regulatory Studies - Regulatory Studies

Institute Of Public Utilities

ACIArb - Arbitration

Institute Of Chartered Arbitrators

PRINCE2 - Project Management

Rovsing Management A/S (Aarhus)

Post Graduate Diploma In Law - Legal Practice

Law Development Centre

Bachelor Of Laws - LLB

University Of Dar Es Salaam

Legal Associate

Rwaganika And Co Advocates
2007 - 2007

Legal Intern

MMAKS Advocates
2006 - 2006

Languages

English - Proficient Oral and Written

Swahili - Oral Proficient , Reading Fair

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Harold Roger Obiga