How a group of twenty-somethings made ‘Made in Uganda’ cool again

What the report says

Speedball, a Ugandan fashion label started by a group of teenagers three years ago, used its latest showcase to highlight how far it has come. According to Sqoop Uganda, Speedball Summer 2026 took place on Saturday night at Motiv in Bugolobi, where designers, models, musicians, photographers, stylists and other creatives gathered for an event that mixed a runway presentation with live performance and cultural entertainment.

The production was led by founder David Mulolo, who worked with Joshua Waiswa (Josh SB) and the 360 Immersive team to add a live orchestra to the show. Sqoop Uganda reported that the music, lighting, choreography and pacing gave the collection a more theatrical feel than a standard fashion event. The runway featured clothing made in Uganda from locally sourced materials, with looks built around oversized jackets, denim, distressed fabrics, leather details and layered accessories.

A Guinness Smooth activation called “Make It Yours” also invited audience members to customise pieces from the runway, underscoring the idea of fashion as a collaborative process. Denise Paula Nazzinda, the brand manager, said the campaign was meant to support individuality and original ideas. Mulolo said Speedball’s goal is to make “Made in Uganda” associated with quality and creativity, not just local pride.

The article says the event reflected a wider effort to build a stronger creative ecosystem for young Ugandan designers and to expand opportunities beyond annual fashion shows. It also presented Speedball as part of a broader push to show that Ugandan fashion can compete on larger stages.