Fashion guru Arapapa faults government for failure to consider fashion as key business

Renowned fashion designer Santa Anzo of Arapapa has faulted the government for the decline of Uganda's once-thriving fashion industry.

Addressing the challenges facing the fashion business in Uganda during the World Creativity and Innovation Day commemoration, organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Golf Course Hotel in Kampala on April 25, 2024, the fashion entrepreneur suggested that the government has overlooked it as a viable sector capable of generating employment opportunities.

Anzo emphasised the significance of the fashion industry, stating that it comes second only to agriculture. She highlighted that after satisfying the need for food, individuals worldwide prioritise dressing up for work. Given its broad impact and necessity, she expressed confusion over the government's failure to recognise its potential.

“Fashion is only second to agriculture because, after food, people think of dressing up next and then walking out of the house. It employs a very large number of people because every person in the country must put on clothes. However, I do not know why the government has failed to realise this,” she said.

Turning her fashion stores solely online a few years ago in response to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she acknowledged the necessity of adapting to the ever-expanding technological landscape. Despite the government's efforts to support other creative sectors in their recovery, she lamented the fashion industry's exclusion, despite being one of the hardest-hit domains.

Santa Anzo urged the government to allocate funds for the fashion industry in its budgets to aid creatives.

In response to these concerns, newly appointed minister Balaam Barugahara pledged government engagement with Anzo and other fashion creatives to chart a path forward for the industry's growth. While encouraging punctuality among fashion designers and creatives, he emphasised the importance of seizing opportunities provided by the government and other national and international organisations.

Discussing fashion in the digital era, Anzo emphasised technology's role in simplifying processes and urged fellow fashion enthusiasts to embrace new trends and utilise them to showcase their craft and creations.