Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) has been boosted by the country’s tourism board sponsorship package of Shs74 million (approx. $12,700).
The Ugandan Tourism Board made this announcement during the launch of the 6th edition of the UIFW scheduled to hold between 2nd and 4th August this year at the Kampala Serena Hotel. UTB’s Marketing Manager, Claire Mugabi stressed the need to diversify focus to include other segments of tourism that eclipse wildlife.
The global fashion industry valued at $700 billion is one Uganda can exploit by developing its own fashion industry as it looks to position itself as a major cultural hub in the region and on the continent. While supporting other tourist cultural activities, the tourism board looks to create inclusive tourism opportunities that can also be a magnet for local designers, a number of whom are already making an impact on the market.
“The opportunities are abound around our culture, and each of these different people in Uganda has a fashion that is unique. The Uganda International Fashion Week, therefore, gives us the opportunity to showcase our unique culture to a global audience,” said Mugabi.
Coupled with more nationals feeling proud to wear Ugandan designers to support home grown talent, the industry can serve as an employment platform for many youths that remain unemployed. Many fashion designers are quite successful at selling their clothing to both local and international tourists. At a time when African fashion is gaining global appeal and acceptance, Uganda’s tourism industry can tap into the opportunity to provide diverse culture and fashion to tourists.
“It becomes imperative to diversify our range of products so as to showcase our uniqueness. These are some of the things that we are doing as UTB,” said Mugabi.
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