“Uganda Is Not Yet Ready For a Ban On Second-Hand Clothes” – Brian Ahumuza

On Thursday, ‘In Place of War’ and the British Council in Uganda held a celebratory cocktail event called ‘Fashion Nexus’ for a special section of the fashion community in Uganda to appreciate, learn and connect with each other. The event also had an exciting panel discussion and presentations from fashion industry professionals including Brian Ahumuza from Abryanz Style and Fashion awards, Michelle Omamteker from Malengo Foundation, Ras Kasozi from Seed Show and Samson Baranga from Fashion 256. The event was held at Resilient Africa Network in Kololo next to the Airstrip.

Wabwire from In place of War moderated the panel discussion during which he posed the question: “What’s your take on second-hand clothes? How would their ban impact the fashion industry?”

Ras Kasozi was quick to suggest that government should ban Owino market immediately. “Banning Owino will put an end to the second-hand clothes market which will give Ugandans an opportunity to wear clothes from home,” he shared.

“I don’t think Uganda is ready to live without second-hand clothing. We need more textile factories that can churn out enough fabrics to make enough clothing for the whole of Uganda to wear. Until that happens, we still need second-hand clothing,” Brian Ahumuza shared.

Samson Baranga who was also pro-second hand clothes shared that even people in developed countries wear second-hand clothes. “What makes Uganda special? Both markets can co-exist as our local manufacturers grow their numbers,” he suggested.

Kasozi stuck to his guns. “We Africans are hustlers. Banning second-hand clothes will challenge us to think of solutions that’ll get us by. We need a mindset change and to stop being timid.”

“Can you create enough clothing to dress 1 million Ugandans? Or even only 1000 Ugandans? It doesn’t look practical to me to ban second-hand clothes before setting up factories that would support creators such as yourself Ras. Clothes will still be expensive because fabrics are imported from abroad which makes it unaffordable.” Ahumuza shared.

The interaction went on with the audience asking questions as well.

Other highlights included Cissy Naggawa from Malengo sharing how the foundation has given her a second chance to live a normal life. Naggawa was born normal and could walk as an infant. This was so until she got an acute fever which affected all her leg joints leaving her numb and motionless. She now moves in a wheelchair. She shared her experience working with the foundation first as a model during their Hot pink fashion show and later as a shoe designer.

The event ended with a networking session and a steady flow of cocktails as guests mingled.

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