Robert Kirunda: The Lawyer Behind Vantage’s Courtroom Wins Against Patrick Bitature As Vantage Mezzanine secured sweeping victories in the Court of Appeal against Patrick Bitature’s Simba Group, one lawyer stood tall—Robert Kirunda, a rising star in arbitration and cross-border finance. Recognised by CEO East Africa Magazine as one of Uganda’s leading business lawyers, his shining star now burns brighter after steering Vantage through these high-stakes courtroom battles.

Uganda’s Court of Appeal has today handed down a string of rulings that deepened the legal troubles of businessman Patrick Bitature and his Simba Group, while significantly strengthening the hand of South African lender Vantage Mezzanine Fund II.

Behind Vantage’s courtroom victories stands Robert Kirunda, the founding partner of Kirunda & Co. Advocates, whose name has become synonymous with some of Uganda’s most complex corporate disputes.

Recognised Among Uganda’s Top Lawyers

Kirunda is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2023, he was featured in CEO East Africa Magazine’s Guide to Uganda’s 75 Highly Regarded Business Lawyers, recognised for his expertise in policy consulting, corporate transactions, capital markets, mergers & acquisitions, and alternative dispute resolution.

That recognition underscored his place among the country’s most trusted corporate law practitioners.

A Career at the Intersection of Law and Investment

Since 2012, Kirunda has led Kirunda & Co. Advocates, advising clients across finance, energy, infrastructure, and technology sectors.

His legal work has spanned commercial arbitration, corporate restructuring, and investment disputes, making him a natural fit for Vantage’s high-stakes battle with Simba Group over a multi-million-dollar mezzanine loan.

Academic and Professional Edge

Kirunda’s credentials are formidable:

• LL.M. in Law, Science and Technology – Stanford Law School (2023–2024)
• LL.M. in International Trade, Investment and Business in Africa – University of the Western Cape (2006–2007)
• LL.B. Makerere University (2000–2004) and Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice – Law Development Centre (2005)
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) since 2024

This international exposure has sharpened his outlook on law’s evolving role in technology, trade, and cross-border finance.

Beyond the Courtroom

Kirunda has also:

• Served as Chief Counsel at CryptoSavannah, a digital innovation hub.
• Sat on the Uganda National Task Force on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), which developed Uganda’s national 4IR strategy.
• Lectured law at Makerere University School of Law.
• Served as a Director at Finance Trust Bank since 2017.

At the Heart of the Bitature–Vantage Saga

The Court of Appeal’s rulings this week affirmed that foreign partnerships not carrying on business in Uganda do not need to register locally to sue or enforce contracts, clearing the way for Vantage to pursue enforcement of its ICC arbitral award.

For Kirunda, who has steered Vantage’s defence, this is more than a legal win—it is a career-defining moment that places him at the centre of Uganda’s most closely watched corporate battle.