Patrick Bitature Explained

Patrick Bitature
Birth Date:1960 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Fort Portal, Uganda
Alma Mater:Namasagali College

Nyakasura School

Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

United Graduate College and Seminary International
Occupation:Chairman
1. Umeme Limited
2. Electromaxx Uganda
3. Private Sector Foundation Uganda
Years Active:1990s–present
Nationality:Ugandan
Citizenship:Uganda
Known For:Simba Group, Investments, business
Honorific Prefix:Doctor
Website:Home Page

Patrick Bitature is a Ugandan businessman, entrepreneur and author. He is 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 the end of 2011, the group employed over 600 direct staff and 1,500 indirect staff.

He sits on the management boards of 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.

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

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2021-03-15 . Bolloré transport & logistics appoints Patrick Bitature as new chairman in Uganda . 2022-03-16 . www.bollore-transport-logistics.com . en.
  2. Web site: 2022-11-07 . Tourism: Bitature Named Entrepreneur of the Year . 2023-03-11 . ChimpReports . en-US.
  3. Web site: Rising above the hurdles on the growth path . Ismail Musa . Ladu . 18 November 2010 . . 21 May 2014.
  4. Web site: Exclusive Interview With Patrick Bitature, Chairman Simba Group . 11 March 2013 . 23 December 2014 . Administrator . The Promota Africa Magazine (London).
  5. Web site: The Investigator (Uganda) . Brilliance Honor . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213000716/http://investigator.co.ug/business/1411-brilliance-honor.html . dead . 13 December 2013 . 10 December 2013 . 25 December 2014 . Robert . Ndawula . dmy-all .
  6. Web site: Profile of Simba Telecom Limited . 2011 . 23 December 2014 . Simba Telecom . Simbatelecom.com.
  7. Web site: Mr. Patrick Bitature, CEO Simba Group Keynote Speaker at the UK Convention – 14th September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141223233303/http://www.ugandanconventionuk.org/2013/09/10/mr-patrick-bitature-ceo-simba-group-keynote-speaker-at-the-uk-convention-14th-sept/ . dead . 23 December 2014 . 10 September 2013 . 23 December 2014 . W. . Mutenza . Ugandanconventionuk.org.
  8. Web site: US hotel giant Marriott takes over Protea hotel group . 23 December 2014 . 23 January 2014 . John . Odyek . New Vision (Kampala).
  9. Web site: Electro-Maxx switches on $60m power plant . 23 December 2014 . 28 November 2012 . Ibrahim . Kasita . New Vision (Kampala).
  10. Web site: 23 October 2013 . Gold mining starts in Ibanda district . 23 December 2014 . Fred . Turyakira . New Vision (Kampala).
  11. Web site: Bitature "milks" cash from high-breed animals . 21 January 2014 . Ismail Musa . Ladu . Daily Monitor (Kampala).
  12. Web site: Tentena . Italians win Uganda Solar Energy project . 4 July 2015 . 11 January 2015 . Paul . . Kampala.
  13. Web site: Independent . The . 2021-09-04 . Bitature joins Mulago Hospital board . 2022-03-16 . The Independent Uganda . en-US.
  14. Web site: Nandudu . Prossy . 16 December 2014 . Bitature assures investors on market for produce . Kampala . 23 December 2014 . New Vision.
  15. Web site: UMEME Board of Directors . 23 December 2014 . Umeme.
  16. Web site: Patrick Bitature Named New Airline Boss . https://web.archive.org/web/20100424221159/http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/716966 . dead . 24 April 2010 . 20 April 2010 . Reporter . Vision . 23 December 2014 . . Kampala . dmy-all .
  17. Web site: . Profile of Patrick Bitature, Founder, Chairman & Group CEO Simba Group of Companies . 23 December 2014.
  18. Web site: 19 August 2011 . Australian mining firms eye Uganda . 23 December 2014 . Walter . Wafula . Daily Monitor Mobile.
  19. Web site: About the Australia Alumni Association of Uganda . https://web.archive.org/web/20131030080422/http://a3uganda.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:about-us&catid=2:uncategorised&Itemid=102 . dead . 30 October 2013 . 24 December 2014 . AAAU . Australia Alumni Association Uganda . dmy-all .
  20. Web site: Uganda Australia Alumni Association AGM and Cocktail, Kampala, 23 March 2014 . 23 March 2014 . 24 December 2014 . AHCK . Australian High Commission Kenya.
  21. News: Bitature daughter excels in US1m competition. 11 April 2018.