KAMPALA, Uganda — Organizers of Uganda International Fashion Week have launched a nationwide model search titled Models for Impact to find talent for the event’s return this June.
The casting call is scheduled for Saturday at the Makerere University Art Gallery. Organizers said the initiative seeks to discover a new generation of runway stars while providing a platform for transformation within the regional creative economy.
The call is open to aspiring and professional models aged 15 to 35, with a primary focus on women and girls. Organizers said the search is designed to be inclusive, welcoming fresh talent, experienced models, persons with disabilities and refugees.
Santa Anzo, the founder of Uganda International Fashion Week, said the program aims to redefine the role of models.
Through Models for Impact, we are building a movement that nurtures individuals who create change, shape perception and stand for something bigger than fashion, Anzo said.
The fashion week was founded in 2003 and returns this year after a six-year hiatus. The main event is scheduled for June 22-27 at the Kampala Serena Hotel. It serves as a component of a larger creative economy program running through 2028 that aims to provide mentorship and market access to thousands of young people.
The Mastercard Foundation supports the program, which is implemented alongside the International Trade Centre and Bayimba Foundation. The partnership intends to reach more than 9,800 youths to encourage entrepreneurship and employment within the fashion industry.
Anzo noted that the casting represents an entry point for those looking to build careers in the creative sector. She said the movement positions fashion as a driver of economic opportunity and cultural expression rather than just an art form.
Models selected during the casting will walk for prominent African designers. Participants are encouraged to pre-register at the event’s website due to limited space.
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