Joseph Simpson

Who is Joseph Simpson?

Sir James Joseph Trevor Simpson KBE was a Ugandan politician who served as Minister of Economic Affairs in the first Cabinet of Uganda.

Simpson, originally of British nationality, was educated at Ardingly College, West Sussex, England, and first saw service in East Africa with the Vacuum Oil Company in Kenya. In 1941 he was elected President of the Uganda Chamber of Commerce, and was re-elected in 1946 and 1950. He became a member of Uganda Legislative Council, the Uganda Executive Council, and a member of the East African Central Legislative Assembly and. He was Chairman of the Uganda Development Corporation while director of 37 companies in East Africa, including Chairman of East African Airways.

Following Ugandan independence in 1962, Simpson was elected a Member of Parliament for North East Kyagwe, and served as Minister of Economic Affairs in the first Ugandan Cabinet from 1962-1963. He resigned his seat in Parliament in 1964.