Pius Kitamirike

Rusho sent me “gn” mbu to mean goodnight. I’ve over tied banange 😪.

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. 1/2