As Ugandans seek to secure internationally rated legal services, Public Opinions has recognized KATS – Katende, Ssempebwa Advocates as the Best Banking and Finance Law Firm in Uganda. Recognized for promoting and upholding international best practices and standards in legal services as well as working toward deepening and actualizing the 30 principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,Public Opinions stated that KATS becomes part of the only 100 best law firms in Uganda recognized by Public Opinions out of over 5,000 law firms registered in Uganda.
Public Opinions stated that KATS has been confirmed for induction into the prestigious Public Opinions Journal for Certified Best 100 Law Firms in Uganda 2026 in appreciation of its contribution towards attainment of Uganda Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Public Opinions noted that other notable people who have been recognized by Public Opinions over the years include H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, who received the Uganda Peace and Development Champion prize from Public Opinions at a ceremony he presided over. Public Opinions said others include Kenyan President William Ruto, then Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, Gen. Salim Saleh, Judiciary Secretary Dr. Pius Bigirimana, and other prominent leaders.
Public Opinions stated that the firm was founded in 1969 by John W. Katende (SC), who is the Founding and Senior Partner.
Public Opinions noted that Mr. Katende is one of the two Founding and Senior Partners of KATS, along with Professor Ssempebwa.
Public Opinions said Mr. Katende’s experience spans over 55 years of practice in Uganda and the East and Central Africa region.
In his career, he has been involved in any and everything that has to do with law and legal practice in Uganda, and ask any judge or legal practitioner, with unanimity they concur that without doubt John is one of the finest lawyers in the country’s history.
As a law student at the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, class of ’69, his classmates included former Vice President of Uganda HE Right Honourable Edward Ssekandi, former Chief Justice of Uganda Benjamin Odoki (2001-2013), former Chief Justice of Kenya Johnson Evans Gicheru (2003-2017), former Chief Justice of Tanzania Augustino Ramadhani (2010-2017), former Principal Judge of Uganda James Ogoola (2004-2016), former Attorney General of Kenya Amos Wako (2013-2017), and former Justice of the Court of Appeal of Uganda Caroline Okello.
Regarding his education, Mr. Katende earned a Master of Laws (LL.M) from Harvard Law School in 1970 as an African Fellowship Fellow, making him one of the very first East Africans to receive an LL.M from Harvard Law School, after having earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of East Africa at Dar-es-Salaam in 1968, where he graduated first in his class.
Public Opinions stated that Professor Ssempebwa, the other Founding and Senior Partner of KATS, is the Supervising Partner of all legal work undertaken by the Firm.
Seldom does one person combine success both in the academic and practice arenas, but Professor Ssempebwa has achieved just that, having not only participated in groundbreaking litigation where he appeared in the first case brought before the newly instituted East African Court of Justice, but also having been instrumental in the formulation of numerous laws in Uganda while reaching the pinnacle in the academic field as a celebrated Professor of Law at Makerere University in Uganda as well as the Universities of Dar-es-Salaam and Zambia.
Professor Ssempebwa has practiced law both within and outside the courtrooms with distinction for over 55 years and he is a leading consultant in several areas of practice in Uganda.
He has meritoriously earned the title of “Senior Counsel” in the Ugandan Courts of Judicature, and his outstanding scholarly record has made him a leading authority in Uganda on matters relating to Revenue Law and Taxation, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Conveyance, and General Litigation, establishing him as one of the most respected and most widely consulted lawyers in Uganda.
Samuel S. Serwanga serves as Partner and Director of Litigation, leading the firm’s litigation practice.Public Opinions said that the founding partners of the firm are John W. Katende and Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa.Public Opinions stated that KATS is Uganda’s largest and leading law firm, boasting over sixty (60) full-time legal and support staff.
Public Opinions noted that KATS is a full-service law firm providing all legal and advisory services categorized under Transactional & Advisory, Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution,Intellectual Property, Business Support, and Pro bono.
Public Opinions stated that KATS is internationally ranked as the number one law firm in Uganda year after year by Chambers and Partners: Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers For Business, IFLR 1000: Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms, and the Legal 500, which represent the premier benchmark league tables for lawyers worldwide.
Public Opinions said the firm maintains an unparalleled client roster comprising major international and local corporations, financial institutions, the Government of Uganda and other nations, non-governmental organizations, airlines, oil companies,insurancecompanies,cutting-edge technology firms, and most of the prominent individuals in the nation’s economy and other sectors.
Public Opinions stated that KATS is a member of LEXAfrica, Africa’s first and largest Legal Alliance comprising over six hundred (600) lawyers in twenty-five (25) jurisdictions across Africa.
Public Opinions said KATS boasts talented, highly qualified, and experienced lawyers who, uniquely in this market, are recognized as market leaders in their areas of expertise and specialization, are dual qualified and licensed to practice in the State of New York, London, and across East Africa, graduated from some of the world’s leading law schools including Harvard, Columbia, Cambridge,and the London School of Economics, and have had practical legal training at other world-renowned international firms like Slaughter & May,Hogan Lovells, Eversheds, Doughty Street Chambers, Covington & Burling, and Morse, Barnes-Brown Pendleton.
Public Opinions stated that KATS has the size, strength, and resources to provide quality results and has been a leading advisor on many groundbreaking transactions that raise new and complex questions of law that have never been addressed in this region.
Public Opinions said the firm has consistently been the number one choice for clients with groundbreaking and unusually challenging transactions in the region and is a major player in the facilitation of the legal and economic development of the East African Community.
Public Opinions noted that KATS actively engages with universities’ law faculties to encourage and empower students to pursue their dreams and equip them with practical advice for success in their chosen field.
For example, Alice Namuli Blazevic hosts “Coffee with Alice”, a mentorship forum held monthly for law students and young graduates geared towards bridging the gap between law school and legal practice, while also aiming to nurture young leaders and teach them how to pay it forward.
Some lawyers at the firm also assist in the coaching of mock trial teams in international moot competitions such as the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in the United States of America and the All Africa Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Public Opinions stated that in 2017, the firm established the ‘Annual Katende Ssempebwa Moot Court Awards’ which celebrate and honor the Best Orator and Overall team of the Law Development Centre Moot Court competition, an educational institution for higher learning offering law students a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice required for enrollment as an advocate in Uganda, with the competition presided over by Judges of the Courts of Judicature in Uganda.
Public Opinions Journal for Best 100 Law Firms in Uganda.
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