Ugandan fashion entrepreneur Oscar Nyesiga, popularly known as Oscar Kampala, has earned continental recognition after being nominated for Designer of the Year at the 2026 EMY Africa Awards in Ghana. The nomination marks another significant milestone in his journey from a young fashion enthusiast to an established name in Africa’s fashion and entrepreneurial landscape.
Uganda’s fashion industry has received another moment of international recognition following the nomination of celebrated designer Oscar Kampala for Designer of the Year at the 11th edition of the EMY Africa Awards.
Oscar, whose real name is Oscar Nyesiga, will represent Uganda in a competitive category featuring some of Africa’s recognised fashion talents, including Kenneth Tetteh, Kenneth Ize, IB Kamara and Atto Andoh.
The nominations were unveiled on October 24, 2026, with the awards ceremony scheduled for November 21, 2026, at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
Who Is Oscar Kampala?
Oscar Kampala is a Ugandan fashion designer, entrepreneur and founder of the Oscar Kampala fashion brand, specialising in bespoke men’s fashion, luxury suits and footwear.
Born and raised in Mbarara, western Uganda, Oscar developed an interest in fashion while still in secondary school. His passion reportedly began in Senior Three, when he started helping friends improve their wardrobes and sourcing outfits, particularly suits, for school proms.
In an interview with The Observer in August 2024, Oscar revealed that fashion initially started as a passion rather than a business idea.
His entrepreneurial journey gradually took shape, and during his Senior Six vacation in 2019, he opened his first shop at Ham Shopping Grounds in Kampala.
He later developed the Oscar Kampala brand into a fashion business catering to clients seeking customised suits for official, casual and bridal occasions.
Interestingly, his fashion inspiration also has family roots. Oscar revealed that his grandparents were among the early Ugandans who learned tailoring from Indian designers, giving him a connection to the craft beyond his personal interests.
Dressing Africa’s Entertainment Stars
Over the years, Oscar Kampala has expanded his clientele beyond Uganda, earning opportunities to dress prominent personalities in the African entertainment industry.
His celebrity clientele includes Ugandan musician Eddy Kenzo, Nigerian stars Kizz Daniel, Oxlade, Joeboy and Fireboy DML, South African rapper Nasty C, Jamaican dancehall star Beenie Man, gospel musician Moses Bliss and Nigerian DJ Neptune, among others.
In an interview with The Observer, Oscar identified Eddy Kenzo as his first celebrity client, revealing that the Ugandan music star approached him through Instagram in 2019 requesting a particular design.
That opportunity became an important turning point in his career, helping expose his work to a wider audience and opening doors to other celebrity clients.
Awards and Career Milestones
Oscar’s growing influence in fashion has also been reflected in several recognitions across the continent.
In 2023, he received recognition at the Zikomo Awards in Lusaka, Zambia, where he won Best Fashion Brand in Africa and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
In 2024, he added another major achievement after winning in the fashion category at the Forty Under 40 Africa Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya.
He was also named among the 100 Most Impactful People for 2023 by Ranks Africa, further strengthening his profile as one of Uganda’s emerging fashion entrepreneurs.
Beyond Fashion: The 7,000 Men Movement
Beyond his fashion business, Oscar has increasingly ventured into entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
One of his notable initiatives is the 7,000 Men Movement, a platform aimed at bringing together young African entrepreneurs, professionals and emerging leaders through networking, mentorship, leadership development and economic empowerment.
The initiative builds on earlier gatherings, including 300 Men and 1,000 Men, with an ambition to establish a wider continental network.
Its vision reflects Oscar’s desire to use the connections and influence he has built through fashion to create opportunities for other young entrepreneurs.
The initiative also demonstrates his expanding interests beyond clothing and tailoring, positioning him within conversations about entrepreneurship, leadership and youth development in Africa.
Uganda’s Representation on the Continental Fashion Stage
Oscar Kampala’s nomination for Designer of the Year at the 2026 EMY Africa Awards places him among a group of designers whose work is receiving recognition across the continent.
For Uganda’s fashion industry, his nomination provides another opportunity to showcase the country’s creative talent on a broader African platform.
With a journey that began in secondary school and developed into an international fashion business, Oscar’s story reflects the possibilities that can emerge when passion is transformed into entrepreneurship.
As the November 21 awards ceremony approaches, attention will be on whether the Ugandan designer can convert his nomination into another continental accolade.
Regardless of the final outcome, his inclusion among this year’s nominees marks another notable chapter in his growing fashion career.
