By Felix Oketcho
Kampala: The Board of Directors Uganda Technology And Management University (UTAMU) has appointed Dr. Patrick Bitature, as Chancellor for a period of four years with effect from 17th September 2021.
Dr. Bitature takes over from Dr. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the Former Vice President of the Republic of Kenya who served as the Founding Chancellor of UTAMU.
Dr. Musyoka, was first appointed as Chancellor of UTAMU in June 2013 for a period of four (4) years and his contract was renewed for the second and last 4-year term in June 2017.
Bitature holds an honorary doctorate and is a graduate of the London School of Accountancy in the United Kingdom. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, an astute businessman and entrepreneur.
He is also the founder, chairman and CEO of Simba Group of Companies, an East African conglomerate, with interests in telecoms, energy production, mining, media, real estate, travel, and leisure. Some of the companies under Simba Group of Companies include; Simba Telecoms Limited, Kampala Protea Hotel, Eletromaxx Limited that generates over 70 megawatts from Tororo Thermal Power Station, Simba Mining Limited, Simba Dairy Farm, Tororo Solar Power Station, and Protea Hotel Kampala Marriott Skyz.
He has been the chairman of the board of directors of Umeme, the largest electric energy distributor in Uganda from 2007 to date.
Since 2009, he has been the chairman of Ndege Premier Aviation Company, a private air charter and aeroplane management company based at Kajjansi Airport and worked in other big capacities in various companies and organizations.
The Chancellor is the titular head of a University and confers degrees, awards diplomas, certificates and other qualifications of the University in the name of the University.
The Chancellor also promotes the image of the University and may from time to time give advice to the University Council which he considers necessary for the betterment and advancement of the University’s scientific, technological, cultural and social progress.
UTAMU is a private university that was accredited by the National Council for Higher Education in March 2013, in accordance with the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions 2001 as amended.
