Ugandan Designers Earn Continental Recognition at Addis Fashion and Leather Fair

November 15, 2026 in Trade & Industry by Editor

 

Ugandan designers have earned continental recognition at the 2026 Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week and All Africa Leather Fair in Addis Ababa, with Jora Shoes founder Yoram Atuhamize named among the Top 15 Leather Exhibitors.

Ugandan footwear and fashion entrepreneurs have earned continental recognition at the 2026 Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) and All Africa Leather Fair (AALF) in Addis Ababa, highlighting the potential of locally sourced materials and homegrown design to compete in international markets.

Yoram Atuhamize, founder and chief executive of Jora Shoes Co. Ltd, was named among the Top 15 Leather Exhibitors at the event, which brought together exhibitors from more than 30 countries.

Atuhamize was recognised for a rugged leather boot designed with a reinforced toe to improve protection for Uganda’s boda-boda motorcycle taxi riders. The footwear was made entirely from locally sourced materials, combining a practical safety application with the promotion of domestic manufacturing.

The recognition among more than 90 leather exhibitors provides a platform for Jora Shoes to showcase its products to international buyers and explore opportunities beyond the domestic market.

Atuhamize said the award was an important milestone for the company and Uganda’s footwear industry, demonstrating that locally developed products could compete on a continental stage.

Uganda’s participation also featured two women entrepreneurs whose work showcased the country’s potential in leather accessories and sustainable textiles.

Irene Namalwa Kajumba of Mother’s Love Crafts, representing the Kampala Leather Cluster, exhibited handcrafted leather products. Nominated by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and sponsored by the Africa Leather and Leather Products Institute (ALLPI), she also participated in policy discussions, technical panels and industry networking sessions.

Rowena Kamasai Kagaba of Good Fibre presented a couture collection made from indigenous and locally available materials, including barkcloth, sisal, cotton and silk.

Her collection reflected an approach to fashion that places local materials, community-based production and sustainability at the centre of design. Through her brand’s philosophy of purposeful clothing, Kagaba also called for greater institutional support to help Ugandan creatives access international platforms.

Uganda’s presence at the fair was supported by its embassy in Addis Ababa as part of the country’s Economic and Commercial Diplomacy programme, which seeks to expand export opportunities and connect domestic enterprises with international markets.

Margaret Kafeero, Minister Counsellor for Bilateral Affairs at the embassy, said the objective was to move beyond institutional representation and secure practical commercial opportunities for Ugandan businesses.

She said participation in the two events was intended to put Ugandan products before international buyers and facilitate trade agreements that could strengthen the country’s export presence.

The 12th Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week and the 15th All Africa Leather Fair ran from November 12 to 15 at the Addis International Convention Centre, bringing together participants from more than 70 countries across the textile, apparel and leather industries.

The closing Leather Designers Award Ceremony, held in partnership with the Real Leather. Stay Different. showcase, the US Department of Agriculture and the Leather and Hide Council of America, recognised outstanding exhibitors and designers.

For Uganda, the participation drew attention to the commercial possibilities of developing footwear, leather goods and fashion products around domestic raw materials and local skills.