Ezekiel Tuma

Practice Areas

Aviation

Banking & Finance

Corporate

Capital Markets & Securities

Mergers & Acquisitions

Private Equity

Restructuring & Insolvency

Venture Capital

Professional Memberships

Admitted to the Ugandan Bar, 1999

Member, Uganda Law Society, 1999

Member, East Africa Law Society, 1999

Member, International Bar Association, 2002

Career

Ezekiel, an esteemed Partner specializing in corporate and finance law, has been an integral part of our firm's success since 2008. He brings his expertise to clients worldwide from our Kuwait office. With extensive experience in both public and private mergers and acquisitions, Ezekiel also demonstrates expertise in competition law, ensuring comprehensive legal support across various domains.

His leadership shines through in numerous cross-border and local transactions, where he brings strategic insight and legal acumen to the table. Ezekiel is a trusted advisor on private equity and venture capital deals, sought after by both founders and investors alike for his astute guidance in the sphere of start-up businesses.

In the arena of financing, Ezekiel is a seasoned professional, adeptly representing both borrowers and lenders in a spectrum of transactions. From local bilateral deals to intricate cross-border syndicated facilities and project financing, his expertise ensures seamless execution. His proficiency in acquisition financing seamlessly complements his corporate endeavors.

Ezekiel's prowess extends to handling restructurings and insolvency matters, playing a pivotal role in major Kuwait restructurings since joining the firm. He navigates complexities with finesse, offering invaluable counsel to lenders and borrowers alike in both local and cross-border contexts.

Moreover, Ezekiel is a trusted advisor to aircraft manufacturers, leasing companies, and operators, facilitating transactions encompassing the sale, purchase, leasing, and financing of aircraft and engines.

Consistently recognized as a leader in his fields by prestigious legal publications such as Chambers and Partners and the IFLR 1000, Ezekiel's dedication and expertise underscore his commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to clients worldwide.

Languages Spoken

English, French, Swahili

Experience

USD3.4-billion acquisition of Kuwait Food Company (Americana): Ezekiel spearheaded ASAR’s team acting as Kuwaiti counsel to the purchaser in the acquisition of a 93.4% stake in Kuwait Food Company (Americana), a prominent Kuwaiti listed entity. This high-profile transaction, boasting a record-breaking deal value of approximately USD 3.4 billion, not only set numerous industry precedents but also clinched the prestigious IFLR M&A Deal of the Year Award for 2017.

Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) Exit: Under Ezekiel’s leadership, ASAR’s team served as Kuwaiti law counsel to the founding shareholders of Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) in their share sale to Delivery Hero Group. This groundbreaking transaction, heralding a new era for startup exits in Kuwait, was recognized by the esteemed IFLR 1000, shortlisted for M&A Deal of the Year 2017. Notably, this deal stands as one of the highest value startup exits in both Kuwait and the GCC region, marking a significant milestone in the industry.

Restructuring and re-restructuring of Global Investment House USD1.7-billion debts: Ezekiel provided advisory services to Global Investment House as the debtor for its initial restructuring in 2009 and subsequent re-restructuring in 2013, involving a total debt amount of USD 1.7 billion. The initial restructuring, which engaged 52 creditors, was notably complex, consolidating multiple debt classes into a unified restructuring program supported by a singular class of security. This pioneering deal earned the prestigious IFLR 1000 Restructuring Deal of the Year Award in 2010. In 2013, Ezekiel guided Global through a re-restructuring initiative aimed at transforming the company into a debt-free entity. This involved intricate debt-for-equity and debt-for-assets swaps. Noteworthy was the utilization of an English scheme of arrangement to ensure compliance, even from non-consenting creditors, marking a groundbreaking aspect of the transaction.

Advising on aviation finance and lease transactions: Ezekiel’s notable transactions include advising AWAS Aviation Limited on leasing 12 Airbus aircraft to a Kuwaiti operator, assisting Aercap Holdings with aircraft leases to a local leasing company, advising Gulf International Bank PJSC on the sale of five Airbus aircraft, and guiding DVB Bank SE, London Branch on aircraft leases to ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP.

Education