Who is William Byaruhanga, the Ugandan Lawyer/Investor who has acquired 14% in Kenyan lender Sidian? From building an elite law firm in Kampala to acquiring a 14% stake in Sidian Bank, William Byaruhanga exemplifies the fusion of legal expertise and regional investment ambition.

When Ugandan lawyer and investor William Byaruhanga quietly acquired a 14.63 percent stake in Sidian Bank, one of Kenya’s fastest-growing lenders, it sent ripples across East Africa’s financial markets.

The acquisition, executed through his investment vehicle Kenbe Investments, made him the fourth-largest shareholder in the Nairobi-based bank.

It also came at a time when Sidian was recording strong growth, with its half-year profit for 2025 rising nearly fivefold to KSh 1 billion (UGX 28 billion).

For many, the deal was a sign of Byaruhanga’s growing appetite for regional investments and a marker of his evolution from top corporate lawyer to cross-border investor.

Byaruhanga’s prominence predates his entry into government. He co-founded Kasirye, Byaruhanga & Co. Advocates in 1991 and over three decades built it into one of Uganda’s elite corporate and commercial law firms, known for advising multinational companies, financial institutions, and the government on high-value transactions.

In recognition of his influence, CEO East Africa Magazine ranked him among Uganda’s 75 most highly regarded business lawyers, while also listing his firm among the country’s top 25 corporate and commercial practices.

By the time he was appointed Attorney General of Uganda in 2016, he was already established as both a wealthy lawyer and a businessman.

He served until 2021, when he chose to step away from public office to focus on his business interests.

Those interests today form a broad and diverse empire. In real estate, Byaruhanga is a shareholder in Pine Investments, which owns some of Kampala’s most plush and signature properties, including Rwenzori House, Rwenzori Towers and Rwenzori Courts in Nakasero.

These landmarks are among the capital’s most prestigious office complexes, housing a mix of multinationals, law firms, and financial institutions.

Beyond Pine, his portfolio also includes the Village Mall Bugolobi, an upscale retail hub, and the Mountains of the Moon Hotel in Fort Portal, one of western Uganda’s leading hospitality assets.

Together, these investments underscore his position as a major player in Uganda’s commercial property market.

Byaruhanga’s influence also extends to boardrooms beyond Uganda. He has served as a director of Centum Investments, one of Kenya’s largest investment companies, since 2016.

The appointment reflected his stature in regional business circles and gave him exposure to Centum’s ventures across real estate, finance, and industry.

His stake in Sidian Bank builds on this platform, widening his footprint in Kenya’s financial sector at a time when regional integration is drawing capital and talent across borders.

From law to business, and from Kampala to Nairobi, William Byaruhanga has consistently navigated the intersections of expertise, opportunity, and ambition.

His Sidian investment marks a new chapter; one that reflects not only his legal pedigree and wealth but also his growing role as a regional investor shaping East Africa’s corporate landscape.