Uganda International Fashion Week 2026 Kicks Off with Business Expo

Uganda’s vibrant fashion scene is set to take center stage as the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) 2026 officially begins this Sunday. The event kicks off with a three-day Fashion and Business Expo, hosted at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA) Multipurpose Hall in Lugogo, Kampala, running from August 30th to September 1st.

This year’s expo, themed “Fashion for Impact,” is designed to spotlight the significant economic potential within Uganda’s fashion and creative industries. It serves as a crucial platform for hundreds of young creatives, entrepreneurs, buyers, and industry professionals, both local and international, to connect and collaborate.

The expo aims to demonstrate that fashion is a powerful engine for job creation, business development, and economic growth. A key initiative within the expo is the CREATE program, focused on building sustainable businesses and addressing youth unemployment through entrepreneurship and skills development across the fashion value chain.

Organizers anticipate that over 10,000 young creatives will utilize this event as a marketplace and networking hub to showcase and sell a diverse range of products, including apparel, art, crafts, and jewelry. The three-day event will feature exhibitions, mentorship sessions, and vital business-to-business linkages, fostering a dynamic environment for growth and exchange.

Beyond commerce, the expo will also celebrate Uganda’s rich cultural identity through fashion, art, local fabrics, and other creative expressions. Santa Anzo, founder of Arapapa and UIFW, emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening the creative economy, stating, “We aim to turn these talents into skills, jobs and bankable businesses.” International designers and industry players from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya are expected to attend, offering valuable mentorship and knowledge exchange opportunities for emerging Ugandan talent. The expo precedes the Grand Finale Gala scheduled for September 5th at the Kampala Serena Hotel, marking the culmination of UIFW 2026.

The Fashion and Business Expo is open to the public free of charge from 10 am to 6 pm daily.

This information was originally reported by Nile Post.