Ugandans Asked to Support Local Craft Artists, Fashion Designers

Uganda’s business community and the youth have been asked to embrace the Buy Uganda Build Uganda Policy as regards the locally made handcrafts and fashion items as a way of showcasing and marketing Uganda’s talents.

While officiating at the Afri Art and Fashion show event in Kampala over the weekend, Grace Mbabazi Awilo, the Project Coordinator for Handcrafts and souvenir Development project under the Ministry of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities revealed that although the Art and Design sector employs a huge number of Ugandans, majority of the citizens still have a negative attitude towards their home made products.

“Let it be everyone’s responsibility of ensuring that at least you have one of your rooms at home designed and decorated with our locally made handcrafts. It doesn’t only make your home look more African but it provides more financial support to the talented artists and designers who are employed by the sector,” Awilo remarked.

She also applauded Cerina Kasirye (the organizer) for having mobilized a group of marginalized girls and youth who managed to come up with unique designs that highlight “a true African touch.”

“The world is now already a global village therefore the idea of coming up with this E-platform where people all over the world can access your art pieces and designs is timely. I know business will not remain the same because now you have unlimited access to the wider market,” she added.

Cerina Nalwoga, founder of Trillion looks store

Cerina Nalwoga Kasirye, founder of Trillionlooks fashion store and Art which works with the youth and marginalized women, revealed that they decided to come up with this initiative after establishing that the country has several skilling initiatives but the graduates lack ready market for their products.

“We organized the event to showcase the talents for models and designers who have better products but have been lacking a serious platform to showcase them. I am so grateful that the event has attracted people from all over the world and this has given these young people visibility, most especially being that it’s their first time to appear on a fashion show,” Nalwoga said.

She added that they have over 45 marginalized women whom they supported to come up with the showcased designs and products.

“We hope to support more designers of this kind provided that they have quality products and bring them to our attention,” she said.

Mrs Grace Mbabazi Awilo inspecting one of the craft stalls at the Fashion event

Nabwanika Aisha, the Operations Manager at Tourism Association of Uganda was impressed by the innovativeness exhibited especially by the Kitenge (African Fabric) designers.

“Art and Fashion are key in the country’s tourism sector because it’s the only service which can be touched, therefore, a tourist can purchase them as souvenirs and these in turn may attract more visitors in the country,” Nabwanika said.Read more at:blue formal dresses | purple formal dresses