Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) returns this June, meanwhile nationwide search for the next generation of runway stars through a model casting initiative dubbed #Models For-impact has kicked off.
The last major edition of the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) was held in August 2019 at the Kampala Serena Hotel, which marked a comeback after a ten-year
2026 return event focuses on “fashion as a business” and includes a Creative Economy Program (2026–2028) aimed at empowering youth and women.Additionally, it was announced that for the 2026 period, UIFW will partner with the World Fashion Exhibition to host the “World Fashion Week Africa Preview” in Kampala, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
The casting call invites aspiring and professional models from across Uganda and the region to step forward and take part in what organisers describe as more than just a runway opportunity, but a platform for transformation within Africa’s growing creative economy.
The call is open to young people, mainly women and girls aged 15–35, welcoming both fresh faces and experienced talent. In line with UIFW’s broader vision of inclusivity and opportunity creation, the casting also encourages participation from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and refugees.
According to organisers, the initiative is part of the wider vision of Uganda International Fashion Week 2026, which returns after a six-year hiatus with a renewed mission to strengthen Africa’s fashion ecosystem and empower young creatives.
Through Models for Impact, we are redefining the role of models, building a movement that nurtures individuals who create change, shape perception, and stand for something bigger than fashion.” Santa Anzo, founder Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW)
Founded in 2003 by renowned fashion entrepreneur Santa Anzo, Uganda International Fashion Week has long been one of the continent’s most influential fashion platforms, connecting African designers and creatives to global opportunities.
This year’s edition will run from June 22–27, 2026, at the Kampala Serena Hotel and forms part of a broader Creative Economy Program (2026–2028) designed to equip thousands of young people with practical skills, mentorship, and access to markets within the fashion and creative industries.
The program, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented in partnership with the International Trade Centre and Bayimba Foundation, aims to empower more than 9,800 youths aged 15–35, the majority of them women and girls, by opening up pathways for employment and entrepreneurship within the fashion value chain.
Organisers say the runway casting is an important gateway for young people looking to build careers in modelling and the broader fashion industry.
“This is more than a casting,” Santa Anzo noted. Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) this June, organisers have officially launched a nationwide search for the next generation of runway stars through a model casting initiative dubbed #ModelsForImpact.
The casting call invites aspiring and professional models from across Uganda and the region to step forward and take part in what organisers describe as more than just a runway opportunity, but a platform for transformation within Africa’s growing creative economy.
The call is open to young people, mainly women and girls aged 15–35, welcoming both fresh faces and experienced talent. In line with UIFW’s broader vision of inclusivity and opportunity creation, the casting also encourages participation from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and refugees.
“This is more than a casting,” Santa Anzo noted. “It is an opportunity for young people to become part of a movement that is positioning fashion not only as an art form, but as a powerful driver of economic opportunity and cultural expression.”
According to Santa Selected models will have the opportunity to walk alongside some of Africa’s leading designers during Uganda International Fashion Week, gaining valuable exposure, mentorship, and connections within the industry.
Interested participants are encouraged to pre-register online via fashionweek.uifwglobal.com to secure a slot, as spaces for the casting are limited.
The #Models4Impact call marks the beginning of an exciting journey for young creatives ready to take their first step onto one of Africa’s most influential fashion stages.
“It is an opportunity for young people to become part of a movement that is positioning fashion not only as an art form, but as a powerful driver of economic opportunity and cultural expression.”
