Patrick Bitature


Patrick Bitature is a Ugandan businessman and entrepreneur and believed to be the second wealthiest Ugandan after Sudhir Ruparelia. He is the chairman of Simba Group of Companies, an East African conglomerate, with interests in telecoms, energy production, mining, media, real estate, travel, and leisure. He is the owner of Protea Hotels East Africa.

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.

Education

Bitature attended Namasagali College in Kamuli District for his O-Level education. While there, he was mentored by 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. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary doctorate degree by the United Graduate College and Seminary International, based in Asheville, North Carolina.

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.
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 Telecoms Limited
  2. Kampala Protea Hotel
  3. Eletromaxx Limited – Owner-operator of the 70 megawatt Tororo Thermal Power Station
  4. Simba Mining Limited
  5. Simba Dairy Farm
  6. Tororo Solar Power Station
  7. Protea Hotel Kampala Marriott Skyz

    Other responsibilities

  8. He is the chairman of the Private Sector Foundation Uganda, which is an umbrella body composed of private sector enterprises and offering lobbying advocacy and training for its members. He was appointed to that position in 2014.
  9. Since 2007, he has been the chairman of the board of directors of Umeme, the largest electric energy distributor in Uganda.
  10. Since 2009, he has been the chairman of Ndege Premier Aviation Company, a private air charter and earoplane management company based at Kajjansi Airport.
  11. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Commonwealth Business Council since August 2013.
  12. Since October 2007, he has been a member of Traidlinks Limited and a 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.
  13. Since December 2010, he has served as the honorary consul of Australia in Uganda.
  14. Since March 2013, he has served as the patron of the Australian Alumni Association Uganda.

    Philanthropy

Some of is philanthropic activities include:
Bitature is married to Carol Bitature and has four children. Nataliey Bitature is one of his children.