By Our Reporter
ARAPAPA by Santa ANZO, the organisers of the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) 2026, have introduced new dates for the much-anticipated return of Uganda’s greatest vogue showcase.
After greater than twenty years of shaping Uganda’s vogue trade and spotlighting native expertise for market entry each regionally and internationally, UIFW is anticipated to return with renewed momentum, reaffirming its place as one among Africa’s main platforms for vogue, enterprise and inventive trade growth.
Founded in 2003, below ARAPAPA, by famend vogue entrepreneur Santa Anzo, UIFW is greater than a runway occasion. It is a platform that makes use of vogue to create financial alternatives by growing expertise, selling entrepreneurship, creating jobs and connecting designers, producers and creatives to regional and world markets.
UIFW was initially scheduled to return from June twenty second -Twenty seventh this yr, however organisers paused preparations after the federal government introduced that each one occasions must be halted following an Ebola outbreak.
However, after cautious consideration, and the federal government’s declaration that there aren’t any extra Ebola instances, the organisers introduced that the week-long occasion will now happen from August thirty first to September fifth, 2026.
The Grand Finale Gala will likely be hosted on the Kampala Serena Hotel, on September fifth, 2026 whereas the Expo will likely be held at a but to be disclosed venue.
ARAPAPA founder- Santa Anzo, emphasised that the revised dates won’t have an effect on the standard and scope of the deliberate actions. “The well being and security of vogue our shoppers, followers and companions needed to come first. But all deliberate runway showcases, exhibitions, enterprise boards, coaching programmes, networking periods and partnership engagements will proceed as deliberate, and even higher, as a result of we’ve had extra time to arrange,” she stated.
With simply 5 weeks to go till the long-awaited vogue week, Anzo stated preparations are gathering momentum, with a few of Uganda’s greatest designers lined as much as showcase their work.
“The countdown is on. We are simply 5 weeks away from the motion. We have lined up a few of Uganda’s greatest designers, who’re prepared and wanting to create assertion designs for the UIFW 2026,” she stated.
Santa additionally re-echoed UIFW’s principal goal and its dedication to an all-inclusive strategy. “UIFW is about empowering communities by vogue, and this consists of everybody; individuals with disabilities, refugees, girls, women and youth. The specifically crafted CREATE programme will run from August thirty first to September 2nd and will likely be freed from cost, offering creatives with a chance to showcase their services and products to potential consumers.” She famous.
The UIFW 2026 will run below the theme “Fashion for Impact,” and goals to additional place vogue as a driver of financial transformation, innovation and sustainable growth.
UIFW will proceed to empower girls, women, youth, refugees and individuals with disabilities, by expertise growth, entrepreneurship, enterprise progress and improved entry to markets throughout Africa’s increasing vogue worth chain.
Registration for designers, exhibitors, companions, producers, and different creatives interested by collaborating on this yr’s version remains to be obtainable by way of the UIFW web site.
Tickets for the extremely anticipated Grand Finale Gala, set for September fifth, 2026, at the moment are on sale. Guests can select from front-row Platinum seats at UGX 250,000, second-row Gold seats at UGX 150,000, or third-row Silver seats at UGX 100,000. Tickets can be found by way of MTN MoMo, both by the MoMo App or by dialing *165*20# in your cell phone.
