Who is John Katende? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, relationship with Sim Katende, Aristoc Bookshop, Kingdom of Buganda and His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda, VCL Studios, His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, early life and education of the co-founder of Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates.
John Katende, also referred to as John W Katende (John Winston Katende), is a Ugandan lawyer, teacher, artist, and businessman.
He is a senior partner and co-founder of Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates.
Senior Counsel John W Katende is widely regarded as an influential character and an inspiration to many Ugandans in the legal, political, and business sectors.
Early Life and Education
John Katende was born in Uganda. He belongs to the Lugave clan.
Throughout his academic career, John was the youngest student in his class while also excelling as one of the finest, receiving multiple prizes along the way.
John Katende received his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of East Africa in Dar-es-Salaam.
In 1968, he graduated first in this illustrious law class and was offered full African Fellowship Scholarships to study for his Master of Laws (LLM) at either Oxford University in the UK or Harvard University in the USA.
He picked Harvard and graduated as one of the first Ugandans with an LLM from Harvard in 1970.
Throughout the 1970s, John taught ‘Introduction to Law’ and ‘Law of Business Associations’ at Makerere University.
He has written numerous academic treatises, including ‘The Law of Business Associations in East and Central Africa,’ which is one of the primary texts in all East and Central African law schools.
He recruited two students to work as research assistants on the book: John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, who went on to become Uganda’s Prime Minister, and John Sentamu, who went on to become the Archbishop of York in the United Kingdom.
Many of his former students have gone on to distinguished careers as lawyers, Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court judges, corporate secretaries, legislators, and businessmen.
John Katende is a father and husband. His wife owns Aristoc Bookshop and all of its branches. Sim Katende is one of his children.
Career and Professional Work Experience
John Katende, a co-founding partner of KATS – Katende, Ssempebwa & Co Advocates, is a seasoned lawyer with extensive legal and business expertise.
John founded KATS Advocates with Prof. Frederick Ssempebwa.
His practice in Uganda, the East and Central African region spans over fifty years.
He has also worked for numerous years as an external examiner at the universities of Dar es Salaam, Zambia, Malawi, and Nairobi.
His excellent academic career is matched by equal brilliance in the practice of law.
John Katende has been involved in a number of novel and law-making cases that have contributed considerably to the growth of Ugandan jurisprudence and legal profession.
Outside of the courtroom, John has been involved in the structuring and planning of many of Uganda’s major commercial initiatives, and he continues to assist prominent commercial concerns on a daily basis.
He has established competence in Corporate and Commercial Litigation, Mediation and Arbitration, Corporate and Commercial Law, Capital Markets, Banking & Finance, International Trade, and Mergers & Acquisitions over the years.
Katende has served as a Director or Chairperson of the Boards of numerous big local and multinational firms in various positions.
For nearly thirteen years, John served as Honorary Attorney General and Chief Legal Advisor to the Kingdom of Buganda and His Majesty the Kabaka of Buganda.
He also served as the Chairman of the Buganda Constitutional Review Commission.
John Katende’s experience as an artist is substantially attributed to his renaissance. He is an artiste, playwright, director, and producer.
He founded the drama group “The Ebonies” in 1977, which has evolved to become the largest drama group in East Africa to date.
The company performs stage shows at its home, ‘Theatre La Bonita,’ in Kampala and across Uganda redefining cultural and educational entertainment.
John Katende also founded VCL Studios.
Achievements and Awards
His Majesty Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, King of Buganda, was sworn in by John at his coronation on July 31, 1993.
When the NRM came to power, Katende launched negotiations and early talks for the Kabaka’s return with President Museveni in State House.
In 2011, the Kabaka of Buganda thus granted John the title ‘Ekitibiwa ky’Amafumu n’Engabo’ for his great services to the kingdom. In the Kingdom of Buganda, this is the greatest honour that can be granted for service.
John was honoured by the Uganda Law Society (ULS) and won the ULS’ first ‘Distinguished Service Award’ on March 31, 2017 during the Uganda Law Society Annual General Meeting in Entebbe, Uganda.
John was also among one of the first three Ugandan lawyers recognised into the ULS’s inaugural ‘Roll of Honour’.
This award is granted to lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the profession, have a track record of being exceptional lawyers with stellar reputations, and have also made major contributions to jurisprudence or the development of a specific area of law.
On March 28, 2018, the Chief Justice of Uganda, Hon. Bart Katureebe, conferred on John the Special Rank of Senior Counsel (the highest honour in the legal profession).
Notably, Katende handled the famous case of Ssempebwa vs. Attorney General, which was pivotal in resurrecting constitutionalism after the NRM took control. Furthermore, Katende’s legal expertise was critical in a successful appeal against the death penalty, marking yet another key achievement.
Senior Counsel John Winston Katende released his book titled ‘John W Katende: A Man of Many Firsts’ in July 2023. The autobiography written by Ronald Nabimanya shares valuable lessons from John W Katende.
Katende was named one of the only two Senior Legal Statesmen in East Africa in the 2020 edition of Chambers and Partners Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers.
According to the 2019 Edition, ‘John Katende is regarded as “an important reference in the market”. He is well-known for his extensive business and commercial expertise, but he is also well-known for his academic contributions to the field.
According to the 2018 Edition, he is well-regarded by his peers, who praise his “incredible” market profile. He is an experienced corporate and commercial attorney.
He is a well-recognised and distinguished practitioner with a plethora of experience advising on corporate transactions and financing, according to the 2017 Edition.
According to the 2016 Edition, ‘John Katende is “well respected” among colleagues for his significant experience in financings, M&A, and restructurings.’
‘With almost four decades of experience as the managing partner, John Katende is widely recognised as a doyen of Ugandan law,’ according to the 2015 Edition.
‘John Katende is a ubiquitous figure in the Ugandan legal market, with decades of experience in litigation and non-contentious economic matters,’ according to the 2014 Edition.
According to the 2013 Edition, ‘the renowned John Katende can depend on more than 40 years of experience in litigation, and also works on non-contentious problems throughout the spectrum of company law.’
Mr. Katende was identified as one of the country’s leading leaders in the 2012 edition, with a source saying, ‘I don’t think there are other people operating at that level of success in Uganda.’
According to the 2011 Edition, ‘The Managing Partner John Katende offers over 40 years of experience to his business work.’
According to the Guide’s 2010 Edition, “Founding Partners John Katende and Edward Ssempebwa are ‘greatly esteemed by the legal fraternity.'”
In the 2006 Edition, John Katende was praised for being ‘exceptionally strong’ in corporate and commercial transactions.
In the 2004-2005 Edition, John Katende is recognised for his expertise in company law matters in Uganda, having developed the standard textbook in East African law schools on company law. Among his clientele are a number of foreign investors who are developing and registering businesses in Uganda. He is also HM King Ronnie of Buganda’s honorary Attorney General and Chief Legal Advisor.
‘Interviewees cite John Katende as an authority on Ugandan corporation law, while Edward Ssempebwa, Professor of Law at Makerere University, as an active litigator and advisor across the board,’ according to the 2003 Edition. Their colleagues value them for their extensive knowledge and experience.’
In the 2000-2001 Edition, it was said that; John Katende has been involved in a number of ground-breaking and law-creating lawsuits and has made major contributions to the development of the law and its practice in Uganda.
Outside of the courtroom, he is a top practitioner in business, corporate, and commercial law. He was involved in the structuring and planning of many of Uganda’s greatest commercial initiatives and continues to assist leading commercial organisations on a regular basis.
At the inaugural Ikon Awards, John Katende received the Lifetime Award for his indelible contributions to the arts.
Editor’s Note: Please contact flashugnews@gmail.com if you find any of the content to be inaccurate or outdated.
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