Patrick Bitature

Patrick Bitature is a Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur and author. He used to be the second wealthiest Ugandan after Sudhir Ruparelia. He is the founder, chairman and Group CEO of the Simba Group of Companies which is primarily based in East Africa. The Simba Group of Companies started in 1998 with the flagship telecom business but has since grown to a conglomerate of East Africa-based companies spanning telecoms, properties, power generation, agro-business, mining, tourism and media. At end 2011 the Group employed over 600 direct staff and - 1500 indirect staff.

Doctor

Patrick Bitature
Born (1960-05-10) 10 May 1960
Fort Portal, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materNamasagali College
(East African Certificate of Education)
Nyakasura School
(East African Advanced Certificate of Education)
Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators
(Fellow)
United Graduate College and Seminary International
(Honorary Doctorate)
Occupation(s)Chairman
1. Umeme Limited
2. Electromaxx Uganda
3. Private Sector Foundation Uganda
Years active1990s–present
Known forSimba Group, Investments, business
WebsiteHome Page

He has received several board appointments in various companies, businesses and foundations in Uganda. Most notable among these appointments include Umeme Uganda Limited, Bolloré Logistics Uganda [1] as well as Mulago National Referral Hospital.

In November 2022, he was named entrepreneur of the year at the African tourism leadership forum in Botswana, Gaborone. [2]

Early life

Bitature was born 10 May 1960 in Fort Portal, Kabarole District in the Western Region of Uganda. He was the first born in a middle-class family. When he was 13 years old, his father was murdered during the Idi Amin regime. He then became the breadwinner, trading in sugar, clothing, shoes, and foreign currencies. Later, he expanded into mobile telephones and mobile airtime distribution.[3]

Education

Bitature attended Namasagali College in Kamuli District for his O-Level education. While there, he was mentored by Fr. Damien Grimes. He later attended Nyakasura School in Fort Portal, Kabarole District for his A-Level education. He then studied at the London School of Accountancy in the United Kingdom. He then joined the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. He holds the rank of fellow of the institute.[4] In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the United Graduate College and Seminary International, based in Asheville, North Carolina.[5]

Career

In 1998, Bitature started a company that he named Simba Telecom Limited. The company became a franchisee of MTN Uganda, which had just opened in the country. Simba Telecom has grown into the largest seller of MTN airtime in Uganda, with gross sales in excess of US$80 million in 2010.[6]

Over the years, he has formed other companies within the Simba Group of Companies, with subsidiaries in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Some of the companies in the group include the following:

  1. Simba Mining Limited[10]

Other responsibilities

In October 2021, Bolloré transport & logistics appointed Patrick Bitature as new chairman in Uganda.

In September 2021, Bitature was appointed a member of the board for the Mulago National Referral Hospital.[13]

In September 2021, Bitature was appointed chancellor of Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU), a private university based in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. His term began on 17 September 2021 and runs until 16 September 2025. Bitature replaced Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the former Vice President of Kenya, who served as the founding chancellor of the university for two consecutive terms, from 2013 until 2021.

He was appointed in October 2020 by Minister of Health to the Board of Directors of Malaria Free Uganda, a Private Public Initiative by the Government of Uganda under Ministry of Health which mainly advocates ,Raises resources and action for Malaria elimination in Uganda by 2030.

He was appointed as the chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda in 2014,[14] which is an umbrella body composed of private sector enterprises and offering lobbying advocacy and training for its members. He has since stepped down from the position.

In September 2013 stepped down as Chairman Board of Directors, Uganda Investment Authority (UIA). He held this position from March 2007

Since 2007, he has been the chairman of the board of directors of Umeme, the largest electric energy distributor in Uganda.[15] Since 2009, he has been the chairman of Ndege Premier Aviation Company, a private air charter and aeroplane management company based at Kajjansi Airport.[16]

He has been a member of the board of directors of the Commonwealth Business Council since August 2013.[17]

In October 2007, he was made a member of Traidlinks Limited and appointed the director of the Ugandan chapter. Traidlinks is an Irish, non-profit organisation focused on improving the productivity of subject matter experts and promotes the growth of Public-Private Partnerships.[17]

Since December 2010, he has served as the honorary consul of Australia in Uganda.[18] Since March 2013, he has served as the patron of the Australian Alumni Association Uganda.[19][20]

Personal life

Bitature is married to Carol Bitature and has four children.[17] Nataliey Bitature is one of his children.[21]

See also

References
  1. "Bolloré transport & logistics appoints Patrick Bitature as new chairman in Uganda". www.bollore-transport-logistics.com. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  2. "Tourism: Bitature Named Entrepreneur of the Year". ChimpReports. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. Ladu, Ismail Musa (18 November 2010). "Rising above the hurdles on the growth path". Daily Monitor. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  4. Administrator (11 March 2013). "Exclusive Interview With Patrick Bitature, Chairman Simba Group". The Promota Africa Magazine (London). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  5. Ndawula, Robert (10 December 2013). "Brilliance Honor". The Investigator (Uganda). Archived from the original on 13 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  6. Simba Telecom (2011). "Profile of Simba Telecom Limited". Simbatelecom.com. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  7. Mutenza, W. (10 September 2013). "Mr. Patrick Bitature, CEO Simba Group Keynote Speaker at the UK Convention – 14th September 2013". Ugandanconventionuk.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  8. Odyek, John (23 January 2014). "US hotel giant Marriott takes over Protea hotel group". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  9. Kasita, Ibrahim (28 November 2012). "Electro-Maxx switches on $60m power plant". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  10. Turyakira, Fred (23 October 2013). "Gold mining starts in Ibanda district". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  11. Ladu, Ismail Musa (21 January 2014). "Bitature "milks" cash from high-breed animals". Daily Monitor (Kampala).
  12. Tentena, Paul (11 January 2015). "Italians win Uganda Solar Energy project". East African Business Week. Kampala. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  13. Independent, The (4 September 2021). "Bitature joins Mulago Hospital board". The Independent Uganda. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  14. Nandudu, Prossy (16 December 2014). "Bitature assures investors on market for produce". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  15. "UMEME Board of Directors". Umeme. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  16. Vision, Reporter (20 April 2010). "Patrick Bitature Named New Airline Boss". New Vision. Kampala. Archived from the original on 24 April 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  17. "Profile of Patrick Bitature, Founder, Chairman & Group CEO Simba Group of Companies". University of Nairobi. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  18. Wafula, Walter (19 August 2011). "Australian mining firms eye Uganda". Daily Monitor Mobile. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  19. AAAU. "About the Australia Alumni Association of Uganda". Australia Alumni Association Uganda. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  20. AHCK (23 March 2014). "Uganda Australia Alumni Association AGM and Cocktail, Kampala, 23 March 2014". Australian High Commission Kenya. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  21. "Bitature daughter excels in US1m competition". Retrieved 11 April 2018.
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