We are delighted to announce the appointment of Mr. James Mukasa Sebugenyi, SC as Managing Partner.
James succeeds Mr. Barnabas Tumusingize who was at the helm for 19 years and has been instrumental in the significant transformational growth and reputation of our firm.
James brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the role having led the firm’s dispute resolution practice for 15 years. He has extensive litigation experience spanning commercial contracts, real estate, product liability, constitutional law, property fraud, telecommunications, energy, expropriated properties, utilities, employee benefits and aviation negligence.
We look forward to James’ leadership of the team.
https://t.co/XvpnqBIO6K
Last Friday, we convened at Serena Kigo to celebrate Barnabas Tumusingize's 36 years of dedicated and excellent service to S&L Advocates. Barnabas joined S&L Advocates (then Sebalu & Lule Advocates) as a legal assistant in 1989. Through hard work, Barnabas rose through the ranks making partner in 1994. As partner, he established the firm's Banking and Finance practice which has since grown to be one of the leading and most respected financial services practices in Uganda.
In 2005 when Mr. Paulo Sebalu (RIP) and Mr. Godfrey S. Lule SC retired from the firm, Barnabas was appointed Managing Partner and stepped up to the role of pivoting the firm from its founder generation to greater horizons, setting it on a course to outlive his and subsequent generations. In 2010, Barnabas steered S&L's entry into DLA Piper Africa, a group of independent law firms working together across Africa. In 2015, Barnabas accomplished the construction of our home – S&L Chambers – situate at 14, Mackinnon Road, Nakasero, Kampala.
As Managing Partner, Barnabas has institutionalised the firm with stable succession plans, and predictable career progression for all. Barnabas has improved the firm’s processes and he hands over a resilient business equipped to soar through today’s challenges, including the disruptive age of technology. Barnabas’ leadership has seen the firm grow significantly by number of clients, practice groups, staff and revenue.
Speaking at his celebration dinner, Barnabas thanked God who has seen him through humble beginnings, levelled his path and richly blessed him. He thanked Messrs. Sebalu (RIP) and Lule who took a gamble on him, gave him a job and tutored him in the practice of law. He thanked the firm’s clients for their unwavering support of the firm, DLA Piper for local and international work referrals, strategic and technical collaboration including training and secondment opportunities, access to international standard knowledge management tools and resources for law firm management.
He also expressed gratitude to his fellow partners who have walked the professional journey with him, associates and the business services team for their contribution to the firm’s success. Barnabas assured the firm’s clients that he leaves behind a strong, cross generational and competent team that is equipped to serve them with the same exceptional services they are accustomed to.
Giving context to what may be perceived as an early retirement, Barnabas quoted from Sunny Bindra’s 14 May 2023 article in the Sunday Nation:
“None of us should imagine that we are so indispensable that what we built cannot continue without us... Our individual lives—no matter how seemingly impactful once upon a time—are, in the final analysis, trivial... When your time is up, blow the whistle yourself and walk away. And do it while they’re still clapping.”
James Mukasa Sebugenyi SC, who will succeed Barnabas as Managing Partner, thanked Barnabas for his 36 years of dedicated service to S&L and the practice of law in Uganda. James pledged that the firm will continue serving its clients with the same exceptional service they have received over the years. James also pledged to preserve and hand over a resilient business to the next generation in the firm.
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We are happy to have partnered with @stanbicug in its celebration of Love Month over the last 2 days. Our team led by @mosessegawa and @WinnieAwino_ presented on the varied manifestations of love ranging from marriage, pre nuptial agreements, cohabitation, adoption and surrogacy. The team also considered what love is not - such as sexual assault and harassment, extra marital relationships and how to clean up (separation and divorce) when love goes rogue.
Our team of lawyers then rendered pro bono legal advice to @stanbicug’s staff on various issues.
We thank Sam Kimera who spiced up day one with intimate and uplifting music.
We are proud of our collaborative working relationship with @stanbicug.
This evening, we said goodbye to our last clerkship lot of the year that has been with us since July. What a ride!
Join us in wishing them the best ahead.
#TBB
Dar Mission For
Ugandan Tennis
NCS earlier today saw off a Ugandan tennis contingent destined for Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania this evening for the U12 East African Team Championships. The NCS Team was led by the duo of Assistant General Secretaries Joseph Oluga (Administration) and Milton Chebet (Technical), accompanied by Senior Sports Officer Sarah Anne Nankya and Sports Officer James Kasumba. They handed the national flag over to Uganda Tennis Association (UTA) Secretary General Alvin Bagaya and Assistant Secretary General Moses Bagaya and the youngsters.
The Team:
Sankara Tumusiime Oyang Atubo
Nicholas Malwaya
Nelson Michio Agaba Bashaaba
Amanda Sheema Ssenyomo
Ainembabazi Hannah
Heidi Kayesu
The Coach
Saidi Mawa
The Chaperone
Victoria Nabatanzi
Winnie spoke about types of risks and sustainability, emphasizing the need for women entrepreneurs to understand:
Strategic risk, Financial risk, Reputational risk among others.
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#dfcuRisingWoman#dfcuWomenInBusiness@SL_Advocates
“We’re honoured to partner with dfcu on initiatives that drive real impact for women in business” ~ Winnie Awino, partner @SL_Advocates as she shared insights around Safeguarding Business Legacy: Practical Strategies for the Rising Woman
#dfcuRisingWoman#dfcuWomenInBusiness
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Today, our Winnie Awino was the keynote speaker at the launch of the 7th Edition of the #dfcuRisingWoman Initiative - a flagship empowerment campaign by dfcu Bank (@dfcugroup) in partnership with Monitor Publications Limited (@DailyMonitor).
dfcu Rising Woman is a business proposal campaign that focuses on identifying, rewarding, and profiling women entrepreneurs in Uganda.
Winnie's presentation focused on practical resilience strategies for women-led SMEs such as succession planning, the use of trusts, and long-term personal and business planning.
She also shared key considerations on business structures and how choosing the right one sets the tone for legal and financial accountability.
Winnie noted that the firm is honoured to partner with dfcu Bank on initiatives that drive real impact for women in business.
Coming Soon:
The second episode of our podcast features - Women in Law and Business - shedding light on the work of some of the leading female practitioners at the firm and on the market.
#TheBar&Beyond
We spent Friday afternoon with the incredible teams from @mtnug & @mtnmomoug as part of our #WomensMonth activities. Our partner, Winnie Awino, led an insightful session on wills, estate planning & securing the future. We remain committed to women's empowerment. #AccelerateAction
@moses_segawa our head of the Employment, Pensions and INGOs practice will be a panelist on @ICRWAfrica Uganda’s roundtable dialogue on the “State of Social Protection in Uganda.” This discussion is tomorrow starting at 8:30. See frames 1&2 on how to be part of the conversation.
Recalling & future proofing our legacy: we discussed our Vision 2030 ahead of S&L@50. We also took time to rejuvenate our bodies and spirit. We connected deeper as a team. We engaged in competitive & refreshing group activities. We thank our facilitators for a job well done. 2/2
Yesterday, we concluded our Annual retreat which ran from 30 Jan - 1 Feb. We strategised on how to serve our clients much better in 2025 and beyond. As a responsive firm, we underscored understanding our clients’ businesses in the ever evolving legal and technology landscape. 1/2
FINAL WEEK OF 21 DAYS OF PRAYER & FASTING!
Let's finish strong! Join us for a non-stop 24/7 Prayer Chain from Monday, 20 January at 12:00 AM (midnight) to Sunday, 26 January at 11:59 PM.
Helpful Links:
* Join the 24/7 Prayer Chain: https://t.co/JuRF3jKDvY
* Submit Your Prayer Requests: https://t.co/eFFfsPKohs
* Share Your Testimony: https://t.co/tFftpCiyTb
* Download the Prayer Guide: https://t.co/dGi4fWS5th.
Prayer Day
Join us on Saturday, January 25, from 9 AM at Watoto Church Downtown, Ntinda, Kyengera, Lubowa, Mbarara, Juba, and Evenings of Prayer at Bweyogerere and Gulu on the same day. There will also be an Evening of Prayer in Jinja on Friday, 24 January.
Don’t miss the opportunity to be blessed! #BoldStrongCourageous
#2024Wrapped!
As we wrap up the year, we share the legal and business highlights that have impacted key sectors, featuring landmark decisions, regulatory updates and market developments - a good number of which we are privileged to have a been part of.
#TheGoodTheBadTheGrey
We congratulate our James Mukasa Sebugenyi, SC for being appointed Chairperson of the inaugural Board of Directors of the Uganda National Mining Company. We wish James and his team success during their tenure.
We congratulate the GoU and Sinohydro Corporation on the successful completion and commissioning of the 600MW Karuma Hydropower Project. We are privileged to have supported Sinohydro Corporation as their exclusive legal advisor from the inception of the project to its end. 1/2
Our @MichaelMafabi1, Partner and Lead of our Arbitration practice will today moderate @ug_lawsociety’s panel discussion on Africanization of Investment Disputes. Please join in and contribute to this timely discussion.