International Designers arrive in Uganda ahead of International Fashion Week

With just days to the highly anticipated return of the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW), organizers have shared a lineup of iconic international designers from across Africa, and India, that are set to showcase at Uganda’s biggest fashion platform.

The continental and global designers bring with them years of experience from fashion houses, creative industries and runways within and beyond the continent, adding a layer of excitement around the event. 

These individuals have built their brands into strong fashion houses representing African culture and excellence. 

Among the international designers expected in Kampala, is award-winning South African fashion designer, Kwenzi Nkomo, who is the chief designer and founder of the Indoni Fashion House, a prominent brand known for vibrant, African-inspired designs celebrating diverse femininity. 

From Zimbabwe, Danayi Madondo, founder of Haus of Stone Africa, will bring a design philosophy that connects heritage and craftsmanship with contemporary African design.

Neighbors Kenya, will be represented by Hellen A. Tolbert, founder and lead designer of Ellen, a brand built from her lifelong passion for fashion and a vision to create clothing that inspires confidence.

From West Africa, Nigeria’s Ikpen Yvonne Kwitti, founder of IK-PEN, will bring her vibrant interpretation of African textiles to the runway, working with fabrics such as Adire, Aso-oke, Kente, Dan Fani and Akwete, to create contemporary designs rooted in African heritage.

Adding an international dimension beyond the continent, is Rahul Singh- from India, an established designer and registered member of the Fashion Design Council of India, who will be part of the international line-up for the September 5th showcase.

UIFW 2026 will be produced by South African fashion industry veteran Andiswa Manxiwa, whose international career spans more than two decades across modelling, fashion and production. As a former “Ford Models New York” talent, who represented South Africa at the “Ford Supermodel of the World” competition, Manxiwa will bring extensive international runway experience and production expertise to Uganda International Fashion Week.

Speaking about the significance of bringing the international designers to Uganda, ARAPAPA Fashion House and UIFW Founder- Santa Anzo, said that their participation is more than simply adding international names to the runway.

“The UIFW intends to create an opportunity for local designers and creatives to engage with people who have built brands and careers in different markets, while giving international visitors a closer look at Uganda’s own emerging fashion industry. Our ambition is to create a bridge between creative talent, a transference of ideas, access to continental markets and commercial opportunity,” she said.

That connection will be particularly visible at the Fashion & Business Expo, which will run from August 30 to September 1, officially opening the Uganda International Fashion Week. This Expo will be free, giving young creatives an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work, with clothing, jewellery, shoes, crafts and other creative products available to the public.

More importantly, the Expo is expected to bring creatives into direct contact with potential customers, businesses and other industry players, creating opportunities for business-to-business linkages, partnerships and access to new markets.

This commercial element is central to UIFW’s wider purpose of helping young people, particularly women, turn their talents into skills and build sustainable, bankable businesses.

Throughout the Expo, UIFW will also place emphasis on fashion tourism, showcasing Uganda’s culture, food, clothing, craftsmanship and other creative expressions, while giving visitors an opportunity to experience the country through the people and businesses that make up its creative economy.

All of this will lead to the Grand Finale Gala on September 5, where the international designers will get to join Ugandan designers on the runway, at the Kampala Serena Hotel.

Tickets for the Grand Finale are available through the UIFW website and MoMo Ticketing.