Alice Namuli Blazevic Biography
Alice Namuli Blazevic is a leading Ugandan technology lawyer, innovator, and mentor recognized for her expertise in emerging technologies and their intersection with law. As Partner and Head of the Technology and Innovation practice at Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates (KATS), one of Uganda’s premier law firms, she has built a distinguished career advising on artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, fintech, data protection, and cybersecurity. Her work extends beyond traditional legal practice to pioneering legal tech initiatives that modernize the justice system and support innovation across Africa.
With over 20 years of experience in corporate and commercial transactions, Alice has advised multinational clients on complex cross-border deals in sectors including energy, oil and gas, infrastructure finance, mergers and acquisitions, and public-private partnerships. She stands out as one of East Africa’s foremost authorities on the legal frameworks for disruptive technologies, helping regulators and businesses navigate uncharted territory in digital finance and beyond. Her contributions as a speaker, author, and founder of mentorship and innovation programs have influenced countless young lawyers and shaped the future of legal practice in Uganda and the continent.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Early Life
Alice Namuli Blazevic was born into a prominent legal family in Uganda. Her late father, Peter James Nkambo Mugerwa, was a highly accomplished lawyer who served as Deputy Solicitor General and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. He also played a foundational role in establishing what became one of Uganda’s leading law firms. Growing up in this environment exposed her early to legal principles, ethics, and the importance of resolving conflicts fairly. Her two siblings also pursued careers in law, creating a strong family legacy in the profession.
From a young age, Alice accompanied her father to legal circles and learned professional etiquette. This upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of justice and a personal irritation with any form of injustice. However, she consciously chose to forge her own path rather than rely on her family name. She avoided invoking her father’s reputation to gain advantages and deliberately ventured into the emerging field of technology law, an area where his influence had not reached. This decision allowed her to start with a clean slate and build her identity independently. Her drive to address societal gaps, particularly between the rich and the poor, stems from an innate passion rather than solely familial influence. She has often reflected that her motivation comes from within, fueled by a desire to create positive impact and safe spaces for people to thrive.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Education
Alice pursued legal education in Uganda, completing her studies before joining Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates, where she began as an intern shortly after law school. She has continuously invested in professional development, particularly in technology. She completed the “Elements of AI” course offered by the University of Helsinki in Finland, equipping her with foundational knowledge in artificial intelligence to better advise clients on its legal implications.
Her commitment to growth is evident in prestigious fellowships. In 2015, she received a Commonwealth Fellowship that enabled her to work at Hogan Lovells LLP in the United Kingdom, gaining international exposure in commercial transactions and alternative dispute resolution. In 2018, she was selected as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow. This program took her to the African Leadership Institute in Cape Town and Said Business School at Oxford University, where she honed her leadership skills alongside other C-suite executives. These experiences broadened her perspective on innovation, ethics, and responsible leadership in a global context.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Career
Alice joined Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates early in her career and has remained with the firm, rising through the ranks to become Partner and Head of the Technology and Innovation practice. Her work spans corporate and commercial law with a strong focus on technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT). She advises fintech and blockchain businesses reshaping commerce in Africa and Europe, helping them secure regulatory approvals and structure innovative solutions.
A notable milestone came in 2018 when she assisted a client in obtaining Uganda’s first license for a digital financial company involving blockchain technology. At the time, no specific regulations existed, requiring extensive lobbying, due diligence, and education of the Bank of Uganda. This achievement highlighted her ability to operate in regulatory gray areas and paved the way for digital finance growth in the country. She also handles projects and infrastructure finance, public-private partnerships, energy and oil and gas matters, and cross-border transactions across East, South, and West Africa, as well as Europe and North America.
Alice has earned consistent recognition in the Chambers and Partners Global Guide to the World’s Leading Lawyers. In the 2020 edition, she was labeled “one to watch” for her strengths in TMT work, particularly in the IT sector. The 2024 edition noted particular recognition for her contributions in the TMT sector, including cryptocurrency and blockchain mandates. She has been ranked in the Corporate/Commercial practice area and maintains a strong reputation for practical, forward-thinking advice.
Beyond client work, Alice has held influential leadership positions. She served two terms as Vice President of the Uganda Law Society from 2016 to 2018 and previously chaired its Female Lawyers Chapter from 2013 to 2016, during which she introduced the Women in Law Awards to celebrate excellence. She has represented the Central Region on the society’s Executive Council and serves as Uganda Country Leader for Legal Business Women for Africa (LABFA), a network supporting women in transactional law and corporate leadership.
In the innovation space, she chairs the Uganda Legal Tech Network since 2018 and founded the Legal Innovation Hub in Uganda, the country’s first legal tech incubator and co-working space for lawyers and technologists. Under her leadership, the hub has hosted Uganda’s first Legal Tech Pitch Competition in 2019 under the theme “Law meets Tech” and the first Legal Tech Conference focusing on artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the law. She also co-organized the World Legal Summit and associated hackathons in Uganda, bringing together legal and technology professionals to explore cybersecurity, data protection, autonomous systems, and governance of AI.
Alice frequently speaks at international forums, including conferences of the International Bar Association in Rome and Accra, East Africa International Arbitration Conferences, Africa Tech Summit in Kigali, and events at universities such as Makerere, Nairobi, and Strathmore. She has presented on topics ranging from the impact of AI and blockchain on dispute resolution to regulating tech disruption in Africa. She has authored articles on these subjects for publications including the East African Law Magazine, Lex Africa Newsletter, Chambers Global, and Hogan Lovells Africa Journal.
Additional roles include serving on the Innovation Advisory Board of the Uganda National Social Security Fund’s External Innovation Program and acting as a mentor and judge for programs such as XL Africa and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law. Her work promotes responsible technology adoption while addressing risks like cybersecurity vulnerabilities and ethical challenges in the digital age.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Achievements
Alice’s achievements reflect her pioneering spirit in legal tech and leadership. She was named among the Top 5 Most Influential Women in Legal Tech in 2020 by the International Legal Technology Association. She has received recognition as a Top Global Influencer in Cybersecurity and Most Influential Woman in Legal Tech. Chambers rankings consistently highlight her expertise, and she has been featured in profiles celebrating African women leaders in law and innovation.
Her mentorship initiatives have had lasting impact. Through the Legal Innovation Hub and related programs, she has supported solutions that improve access to justice and modernize legal services. As a speaker and author, she has educated audiences across continents on the legal implications of emerging technologies, contributing to policy discussions and capacity building. She also served as executive producer for the documentary “Breaking Through,” which profiles Florence Alice Lubega, Uganda’s first female Member of Parliament in 1962, to inspire young African women.
Alice’s community projects, including “I Read I Innovate,” promote literacy and curiosity among children in underprivileged communities through mobile reading clubs. These efforts demonstrate her commitment to holistic development, from education to environmental sustainability. She supports regenerative farming and initiatives focused on food as medicine and human thriving through organizations like Ecocivilisation and Living Cities Earth.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Personal Life
Alice balances a demanding career with family responsibilities. She is a wife and mother to two boys. She has spoken openly about prioritizing family, including periods when she homeschooled her children and managed health challenges such as one child’s asthma. Her law firm provided supportive policies that allowed her to maintain professional momentum while fulfilling caregiving roles. She emphasizes the importance of balance and warns against approaches that might unintentionally disadvantage boys while advocating for girls, calling for equitable support for all children.
Outside work, Alice is an avid lover of the outdoors and nature. She enjoys hiking, canoeing, fishing, and spending time in forests or near water bodies, finding these activities deeply therapeutic. She has hiked to the base camp of Mount Elgon and even participated in a flight tour over Mount Everest. Nature inspires her sense of connection to humankind and reinforces her purpose of contributing to wellness and safe thriving spaces for people. She describes herself as a digital nomad who leverages tools like ChatGPT to enhance productivity while remaining mindful of technology’s potential dangers.
Alice identifies strongly as an innovator, community leader, and purpose-driven individual. Her values center on justice, impact, and creating opportunities for others, particularly through mentorship and ethical technology use. She worries about societal issues such as corruption, inequality, and the struggles facing younger generations, motivating her ongoing community engagement.
Alice Namuli Blazevic Family
Alice comes from a strong legal lineage. Her father, Peter James Nkambo Mugerwa (1933–2020), was a trailblazing figure in Uganda’s legal and political spheres. Her siblings have also entered the legal profession, with one sister, Fiona Nalwanga Magona, serving as a partner at another prominent firm. This family background provided early exposure and values but also prompted Alice to distinguish herself in tech law.
She maintains a close family life as a wife and mother. While she keeps personal details private, she credits her husband’s support and the firm’s flexibility in enabling her to navigate career and parenting demands. Her family inspires her commitment to balanced gender advocacy and nurturing the next generation.
Conclusion
Alice Namuli Blazevic exemplifies excellence, innovation, and service in the legal profession. From her roots in a distinguished Ugandan legal family to her leadership in technology law and mentorship, she has consistently broken new ground while remaining grounded in values of justice and community impact. Her work has advanced digital transformation in Uganda’s legal and financial sectors, empowered young professionals, and highlighted the need for ethical governance of emerging technologies. As Africa continues to embrace innovation, Alice’s contributions position her as a vital voice shaping a more inclusive and forward-looking legal landscape. Her story inspires aspiring lawyers and professionals to combine expertise with purpose, mentorship, and a deep appreciation for both human connection and the natural world.
FAQs
What is Alice Namuli Blazevic known for?
Alice Namuli Blazevic is known as a leading technology lawyer in Uganda and East Africa. She specializes in artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, fintech, and related legal areas. She heads the Technology and Innovation practice at a top Ugandan law firm and has founded key initiatives like the Legal Innovation Hub and the Coffee with Alice mentorship program.
Where does Alice Namuli Blazevic work?
She works as a Partner at Katende, Ssempebwa & Company Advocates (KATS) in Kampala, Uganda, where she leads the Technology and Innovation department.
What awards has Alice Namuli Blazevic received?
She has been recognized in Chambers and Partners rankings, named among the Top 5 Most Influential Women in Legal Tech 2020, and received accolades as a Top Global Influencer in Cybersecurity. She is also an Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow and Commonwealth Fellow.
What is Coffee with Alice?
Coffee with Alice is a mentorship program founded by Alice in 2013. It supports young and aspiring lawyers through group sessions, virtual discussions, and skill-building focused on practical legal practice, leadership, ethics, and community service. It has grown to reach hundreds of participants across Africa.
Does Alice Namuli Blazevic have children?
Yes, she is a mother of two boys and has shared insights on balancing motherhood with a high-pressure legal career, including homeschooling and managing family health needs.
What technologies does Alice Namuli Blazevic specialize in legally?
Her expertise covers artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, fintech, cybersecurity, data protection, and the broader impact of digital innovations on law and business.
How has Alice Namuli Blazevic contributed to legal innovation in Uganda?
She founded the Legal Innovation Hub, organized Uganda’s first legal tech conferences and pitch competitions, chaired the Uganda Legal Tech Network, and advocated for tools like electronic court systems to modernize justice delivery.