Education
- University of Houston – Master of Laws (LL.M) – 2013
- Makerere University – Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) (Hons) – 2009
- Law Development Center – Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice – 2010
- New York State Board of Law Examiners – Certificate to practice law in New York – 2013.
- East African School of Taxation – Post Graduate Diploma in Revenue Law and Taxation – 2011
Admissions
- Attorney & Counsellor-at-Law -State of New York
- Commissioner for oaths
- Advocate in the Republic of Uganda
Countries In Which Practiced
- Uganda
Memberships
- Association of International Petroleum Negotiators
- American Bar Association
- New York State Bar Association
- East Africa Law Society
- Uganda Law Society
Publications
- ‘Guide to Mining in Uganda.’ Published in the LexAfrica Guide to Mining in Africa, 2019 and 2015 Editions.
- ‘Child Sacrifice in Uganda: Assessing the Legal and Policy Framework.’ Published by Lambert Academic Printing (LAP) ISBN: 978-8383-9950-9.
- ‘Uganda’s Oil Contracts: The Missing Fiscal Piece.’ Seminar Paper.
Languages
- English
- Luganda
Sophia has over 14 years’ experience in Corporate & Commercial law advisory with a specialty in structuring, negotiating and executing high value transactions in Uganda in the fields of Energy, Oil & Gas, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, Project Finance, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions and Tax & Compliance.
Sophia’s recent experience includes advising Airtel Uganda Limited (a member of the Bharti Airtel Group) on all aspects of its USD 1 Billion dollar listing on the Uganda Securities Exchange and the offering of a 20% to the public through its Initial Public Offering.
Sophia has also advised the Government of Uganda on the procurement of a lead investor for the development of a USD 4 billion refinery in Uganda and currently, is advising the consortium of the lenders to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) on all legal and regulatory aspects of financing the first crude export pipeline in Uganda.
Sophia has advised other players in the upstream, midstream as well as downstream segments of the oil and gas sector value chain in Uganda such as TotalEnergies EA Midstream BV on all the regulatory and compliance requirements for EACOP.
Sophia has experience in structuring investments and financing, business establishment and licensing, regulatory compliance, preparation, review, negotiation and execution of complex project documentation and deals.
Sophia has represented and advised clients in various high-profile business and asset acquisition deals in Uganda and has also been involved in numerous tax related litigation matters before the Tax Appeals Tribunal and appellate courts in Uganda.
Sophia is licensed to practice law in Uganda and is also a member of the New York State Bar Association.
Sample Transactions
Energy, Oil & Gas
M&A
Mining
Tax & Compliance
Private Equity
Energy, Oil & Gas
- Currently advising the lenders’ consortium on the approximately USD 3.55 billion financing of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania.
- Advisor to TotalEnergies EA Midstream BV on all the regulatory and compliance requirements of EACOP.
- Advised the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on the procurement of a lead investor to finance and develop the first greenfield oil refinery in Uganda.
- Advisor to Government (Uganda National Bureau of Standards) on the development of Standards for the Oil & Gas sector
- Lead Advisor to local engineering firm on all aspects of its USD 12 million contract to supply Construction Water Supply Services to TOTAL E&P Uganda B.V with respect to operations for the development of the upstream Tilenga Project (EA-1, EA-1A, and EA- 2N) Lake Albert Basin, Republic of Uganda (the “Project”) including advice on the joint venture with a foreign firm.
- Advisor to local waste management company on all aspects of its proposed joint venture with Ecolog International to supply a waste treatment facility and waste management services in respect of the upstream Tilenga Project.
- Advisor to Advised to Electricity Regulatory Authority on the construction of Nyagak III mini-hydro power project through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
- Advisor to the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) representing the Government of Uganda in respect to the negotiation and renewal of the concession agreement between UMEME and the Government of Uganda.
- Advisor to Puma Energy on its proposed acquisition of Kenolkobil.
- Legal advisor to UK based international law firm on a tax dispute between the Uganda Government and one of the up-stream oil and gas companies in Uganda.
- Advisor to Oppenheimer Partners on the recent acquisition of a 75% stake in Hariss International Limited, the 3 rd largest soft drinks manufacturer in Uganda after Coca-Cola and Pepsi
- Advisor to an international poultry enterprise on its multimillion-dollar acquisition of a controlling stake in a leading local poultry firm and acquisition of a distribution centre (processing facility and cold room) in Kampala
- Advisor to Puma Energy on its proposed acquisition of Kenolkobil.
- Advisor to 8 Miles on its acquisition of a super controlling stake in Biyinzika Poultry International Limited. Leading providers of day-old chicks, dressed chicken and grain feed.
- Advised American Tower Corporation (ATC) Group on all local aspects of its acquisition of the tower business of Eaton Towers in Uganda in a transaction valued in millions of dollars.
- Advisor to a local client in respect of a mineral right challenge to the Geological Survey and Mines Department
- Advisor to a local mineral license holder on the multi-million dollar acquisition of a stake in the client’s mineral exploration rights for Gold, Tantalum and Base metals by a consortium comprising South African investors.
- Advisor to individual holders of mineral exploration licenses for mineral rights in Uganda about acquisition of stake by Indian companies for beneficiation.
- Currently advising the lenders consortium on the approximately USD 3.55 billion financing of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline Project (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania on aspects of tax implications of the proposed financing.
- Successfully represented insurance players such as ICEA General Insurance and Britam Insurance as well as the Uganda Insurers Association in several tax disputes before the Tax Appeals Tribunal
- Successfully represented other local and international businesses in tax disputes before the Uganda Revenue Authority, Tax Appeals Tribunal and appellate courts of Uganda
- Routinely advise multinational companies on tax implications of investments /financings in Uganda and structuring to achieve optimal tax positions.
- Advised 8 Mile, a private equity fund on its multi-million investment for a stake in Biyinzika International Poultry Limited.
- Advised CDC on its acquisition of a stake in GEMS schools Uganda
For more detailed information regarding transactions handled by this lawyer, please contact us at kats@kats.co.ug.
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