Fashion designers stitch sustainability into style
Robert Musema, the founder of Msema Culture, emphasised the urgency of change, noting that fashion contributes 10% of global pollution and 9% of ocean emissions.
Micheal Kagimu, the Director of Records Fashion School Katwe discussing zero waste in fashion as they join the world to celebrate the International Day of Zero Waste at Records Fashion School Katwe on April 6, 2025. (Photos by Mary Kansiime)
Richard Ategeka
Journalist @New Vision
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As the world grapples with the consequences of climate change, Uganda’s fashion industry is stitching a new narrative—one that embraces sustainability, reuse, and zero waste.
Under the theme “Fashion in a Greener Future: Zero Waste in Fashion”, designers, environmentalists, and students gathered to commemorate Zero Waste Day at Records Fashion School in Katwe, Kampala, on April 5, 2025.
The world celebrates this day every year on March 30 to promote sustainable consumption and production and to champion the circular economy.
Robert Musema, the founder of Msema Culture, emphasised the urgency of change, noting that fashion contributes 10% of global pollution and 9% of ocean emissions.
“This is just the beginning,” Musema said.
“We’re advocating for behavioural change, and we plan to take this message to communities across the country—buy less, buy better, and know what you’re wearing.”
The hidden cost of that outfit
Hannington Sserwanga, an environmentalist with Marafiki United Green Youth Initiative, highlighted the darker side of global fashion trends—especially fast fashion.
“Our appetite for cheap, disposable clothes is turning parts of Africa into textile dumping grounds,” he said.
“We need to adopt ‘slow fashion’—buy quality, reuse, and donate instead of discarding. The soil texture is changing because of these textile offcuts. It’s time to rethink what we wear and how we dispose of it.”
(L-R) Robert Musema Founder Msema Culture, Ali Musinguzi Creative Director at Quill Clothing Uganda and Hannington Sserwanga Founder Marfiki united green youth Initiative discussing about zero waste in fashion during zero waste in fashion as the join the world to celebrate the international day of zero Waste at Records Fashion School Katwe on April 6, 2025. 
Sserwanga also warned that a single wash of a polyester shirt can release up to 700,000 microplastics, polluting lakes and entering food chains—threatening both the environment and human health.
“Even if it’s just an old cloth, don’t burn it,” he added.
“Burning textiles releases harmful fumes linked to cancer.”
Shape policies
Janan Eochu, the arts project manager at the British Council, urged for deeper public awareness and policy support.
“People often throw clothes into drains or gardens without realising the environmental harm. We want communities to rethink how they handle old clothes—reuse them, repurpose them. And it’s time for the government to shape policies that promote sustainable fashion,” he said.
Michael Kagimu, director of Records Fashion School, stressed that sustainability should be integral in all fashion institutions.
“You’re not a fashion designer just because you dress well,” he said.
“It starts with working with your environment, being creative with purpose, and empowering others. Fashion isn’t about trends anymore—it’s about impact.”
He believes that sustainable fashion is already transforming lives, creating jobs and inspiring passion-driven enterprises among Uganda’s youth.
Darren Peter Ddamulira, a student at the fashion school, shared that fashion is not just self-expression—it’s also a lifestyle rooted in environmental respect.
“Zero waste is more than a concept—it’s a lifestyle,” he said. “Even a tiny fabric offcut can be patched into something new. It’s about reducing waste and saving the planet.”
Ali Musinguzi, creative director at Quill Clothing, said that Ugandan designers have long embraced sustainable practices, even if they didn’t label them as such.
“The industry must dig deeper,” he said. “It’s about knowing which fabrics to use, how to produce, and where to source ethically.”