John Butler Walden

John Butler Walden (12 December 1939 – 7 July 2002) was a Tanzanian military officer. Born in British Tanganyika to a white father and black mother, he enlisted in the King's African Rifles in 1957 after finishing school. He eventually achieved the rank of sergeant and, following Tanganyika's independence, was transferred to the Tanganyika Rifles. In April 1963 he became a lieutenant. He was later promoted to major and held command of a camp in Mafinga. During the Uganda–Tanzania War of 1978 and 1979 Walden served as commander of the 207th Brigade in the Tanzania People's Defence Force with the rank of brigadier. In 1981 he organised the withdrawal of the Tanzanian troops in Uganda. By 1987 he had been promoted to major general and two years later he oversaw an anti-poaching operation. He died in 2002.

Early life John Butler Walden was born on 12 December 1939 to a white father, Stanley Arthur Walden, and a black mother, Violet Nambela in Tunduru, Tanganyika. Violet Nambela was the daughter of Andrew Sinkala, an official at the Tunduru Game Department.

In 1941 John Walden moved with his maternal grandmother to Mbeya. The following year his father was reassigned to a post in Njombe, Iringa, and Walden subsequently moved there. On 10 April the TPDF attacked Kampala. The 207th Brigade advanced into the western portion of the city, and Walden oversaw the capture of President Idi Amin's residence. According to some sources, Mwinyi called him to tell him that while he was the most qualified officer for the role, he could not be given the appointment. The reasons for the decision were not specified.

Death Walden died on 7 July 2002 and was buried in Mbeya.