“It always seems impossible until it is done.”
Nelson Mandela
Office Space
The Firm undertakes a massive renovation of its offices, with uniquely designed and custom made décor not replicated in any other office in the world. KATS creates one of the coolest offices of any law firm in the world.
Investment Banking
This period sees a worldwide revolution in investment banking and the introduction of numerous innovative financial products.
When blue chip investment houses like Goldman Sachs International, BNP Paribas, Barclays Bank PLC, Credit Suisse International, Standard Chartered Bank PLC and Opportunity Bank seek advice on the derivatives market in East Africa, they call KATS.
Changing the Telecom Landscape
KATS advises on industry transforming telecom transactions including the acquisition of Warid Telecom by Bharti Airtel – the largest M&A transaction in Uganda’s telecommunications sector’s history – making Bharti Airtel the second largest telecom operator in Uganda.
Later, KATS advises Telkom SA, South Africa’s largest fixed-line phone operator, on its acquisition of Africa Online and subsequent integration to IWayAfrica.
Uganda Strikes Oil
Uganda discovers over six billion barrels of commercially viable deposits of oil. The Government of Uganda takes the decision to build the first oil refinery in Uganda’s history estimated to cost over USD Three Billion. No transaction of this kind had ever been undertaken in Uganda’s history and the Government turns to KATS as its first advisor on this project.
It’s Tea time
Mcleod Russel, the world’s largest tea growing company acquires several large tea estates in Uganda, becoming the largest tea growing company in Uganda. KATS advises Mcleod Russel in all its acquisitions.
KATS also advises Uganda Tea Corporation, the third largest tea growing company in Uganda, on its various farm land acquisitions and title perfections.
Tower Up
KATS advises American Towers Corporation (ATC), the world’s largest telecom tower operator, on its acquisition of over 1000 base stations from MTN Uganda, and later the tower business of Sure Telecom, making ATC Uganda the largest tower company in the country.
KATS, then advises Warid Telecom on its multi million dollar sale of its tower business to Eaton Towers.
Arthur K. Ssempebwa joins the Firm and becomes known for his Banking & Finance expertise. He continues to distinguish himself in myriad transactions where he serves as a trusted advisor to financial institutions and companies.
The name is Bond. Shilling Bond.
For the first time in its history, the African Development Bank (ADB) decides to issue a bond in the local currency of the jurisdiction in which it intends to lend funds.
ADB selects Uganda as the first country in which this is undertaken; and selects KATS as its legal advisors on what has been the largest ever bond listing on the USE, in the history of Uganda.
Milk man
Vital Tomosi sets up one of the largest milk production factories in Uganda. KATS advises it on all legal aspects of the business set up, importation and tax related matters.
Brookside, the largest milk producer in the East African region, also retains KATS to advise it on the acquisition of Sameer milk operations in Uganda, making Brookside the largest milk production company in Uganda.
Private Equity
KATS advises Capital Works Investment Fund on its investment in Quality Chemicals Ltd, the largest pharmaceutical producer in Uganda which manufactures anti malaria and antiretroviral drugs.
Finger licking chicken
‘8 Miles’, a private equity fund chaired by Sir Bob Geldof, acquires a controlling interest in BPIL, creating one of the largest poultry producers in Uganda. KATS advises 8 Miles.
KATS also advises RCL International, from South Africa, on its acquisition of Rainbow Chickens, creating HM Rainbow, one of the key suppliers to the KFC franchisee holder in Uganda, who is represented by KATS.
Retail expansion
Wal-Mart, one of the world’s largest companies, expands its retail footprint across the African continent by acquiring Massmart, which has operations in various African countries. KATS advises on all aspects of the acquisition of the Uganda subsidiary of Massmart, Game stores.
M&A
KATS advises Wal-Mart, the world’s largest public company, when it acquires Massmart, a South African store chain with 17 representative stores in Africa, on all aspects of the acquisition of the Uganda subsidiary of Massmart, a transaction valued in millions of dollars.
A Lifetime of Achievement
The two Founding Partners are awarded the special rank of Senior Counsel, the highest honor that can ever be conferred on a lawyer in Uganda, by the Chief Justice of Uganda.
They are also entered into the Roll of Honour of the Uganda Law Society – the first lawyers in the history of Uganda to receive this recognition.
The Next Tech Revolution
KATS is at the forefront of the fourth tech revolution, changing the legal frontier as we know it. The Firm provides legal services for: Samsung, Google, Facebook, Vodafone, Nokia in Uganda.
KATS’ Partner Alice Namuli Blazevic, serves as a two term Vice President of the Uganda Law Society. She later becomes a 2018 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow, and is featured among the Top 40 Most Influential People under 40 in Uganda, Class of 2018, by The New Vision, Uganda’ Leading Daily.
She is one of East Africa’s leading authorities’ on AI, Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies.
AI, Block chain and Cryptocurrencies
“Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives.”
– Thanos (The mad Titan)
The era of Artificial Intelligence, Block Chain and Cryptocurrencies is upon us and KATS is taking a leading role; training and preparing our clients for how these game changing technologies are changing the legal and business landscape.
