Uganda International Fashion Week focuses on business growth

The Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) 2026 officially opened on August 31 at the Uganda Manufacturers Association Multipurpose Hall in Lugogo. Operating under the theme ‘Fashion for Impact,’ the event aims to transition Uganda’s creative sector from a focus on aesthetics and runways toward becoming a sustainable engine for business, employment, and economic growth.

Alongside the main event, a Fashion and Business Expo provides a platform for mentorship, panel discussions, and networking between emerging creatives and industry partners. This year’s edition features international designers from Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, and India, offering Ugandan professionals exposure to global approaches in branding, production, and design.

Santa Anzo, the founder of UIFW and lead designer at Arapapa Fashion House, emphasized that while Uganda possesses extraordinary creative talent, the primary challenge lies in converting that talent into viable enterprises, exports, and sustainable livelihoods for young people.