• Oscar Kampala started by selling suits in high school and grew into a continental fashion brand.
  • He has dressed African stars like Fireboy, Kiss Daniel, and Jena, gaining recognition across borders.
  • His success is built on creativity, community, financial discipline, and global learning experiences.

Ugandan fashionpreneur, Oscar Kampala, the visionary behind Uganda’s rising fashion brand, Oscar Kampala Collection, is redefining what it means to build a homegrown fashion empire.

Renowned for dressing prominent African artists including Jena, Fireboy, Kiss Daniel, and more, Oscar’s journey began humbly in high school, reselling suits for proms and enlisting friends as his first employees. However today, his brand is recognized across the continent, blending creativity, passion, and business acumen.

Reflecting on his early days, Oscar says, “I employed some of my classmates, and the funny thing is, I still work with them until today. This brand has been built on love and by young people in Uganda.”

His emphasis on community and collaboration over heavy external investment has been a defining factor in the brand’s success.

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Apparently Oscar’s approach to fashion is deeply personal.

“It’s like therapy,” he explains. “You make something for someone, something you envisioned, and it comes to life. You see a client, you understand what they want, and they leave feeling confident. That’s what I love about my work.”

His client-centered philosophy extends to celebrities, who often require flamboyant, unique designs. “For someone like Jena, he’s worn literally the best suits, so we always push creativity to match their vision while staying true to our style,” he adds.

Financial discipline came later in Oscar’s journey. Despite running the business for years, he only started paying himself a salary in 2019.

“I had to learn that business money isn’t personal money. You need to pay yourself and reinvest wisely,” he notes.

Expansion into the Kenyan market followed, fueled by social media and recognition at the 2024 40 Under 40 Awards.

“It’s more than just online traffic. People see your work, they trust it, and they want to be part of it,” he says.

Oscar’s entrepreneurial path hasn’t been without challenges. The African creative economy, he explains, lacks structured systems and mentorship, which makes scaling businesses difficult.

“We are in a continent with so much untapped potential. Young people shouldn’t see challenges as obstacles; they should use them to fuel their next step,” he advises.

A bold moment in the brand’s history was the “1,000 Men” project. Oscar set out to dress a thousand men with a budget he had never handled before.

“I needed money I’d never even seen, but I launched the project with community support. Within 24 hours, over 8,000 people signed up on the website to participate. It’s been purely grace and the support of Ugandans,” he recalls.

Looking forward, Oscar remains committed to growing his brand sustainably. He has invested in property but continues to reinvest most profits into the business. He also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and learning from global experiences.

“I visited over 24 businesses in the US, met entrepreneurs, and learned new systems. This knowledge allows me to bring new ideas back home and strengthen the business,” he says.

Oscar Kampala’s story is more than a tale of success; it’s a lesson in resilience, community, and vision. From a teenager selling suits to a continentally recognized designer, he proves that passion, creativity, and disciplined growth can build African brands that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global competitors.