Evergreen music star Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, will on Thursday join fashion entrepreneur Santa Anzo for a national conversation on the role of the creative economy in driving Uganda's economic growth.
The discussion, organised as part of the Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW) 2026 pre-event activities, will take place on X from 5pm to 6pm under the theme, "Creative Industries as Catalysts for Uganda's Economic Transformation."
The conversation comes ahead of the week-long Uganda International Fashion Week event scheduled for August 31 to September 5, 2026.
Hosted by award-winning journalist Canary Mugume, the X Space will bring together creatives, entrepreneurs, policymakers and members of the public to discuss how creative industries can become stronger contributors to employment, investment and national development.
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Bebe Cool, who has built one of Uganda's most recognised music brands over the past two decades, is expected to share insights from his career on building a sustainable creative business.
The musician will discuss brand development, audience growth and the challenges and opportunities faced by artists seeking to turn talent into long-term careers.
The conversation will also examine how sectors such as music and fashion can support job creation, entrepreneurship, exports, tourism and Uganda's global image.
Santa Anzo, founder of ARAPAPA Fashion House and Uganda International Fashion Week, said the discussion is intended to encourage creatives to view their work as both an artistic pursuit and an economic opportunity.
"UIFW has always been about much more than fashion and style. It is about creating opportunities, building sustainable businesses and empowering young people to earn a living through their creativity," she said.
"Through this X Space, we want creatives to hear directly from industry leaders like Bebe Cool, who have successfully built lasting brands, and inspire them to see the creative industry as a powerful driver of economic transformation."
The discussion will also draw on research and insights from organisations including UNESCO on the growing contribution of the creative economy to national development.
The X Space follows the first UIFW webinar, held virtually on Zoom, which focused on "Fashion for Impact" and examined how the fashion sector can support entrepreneurship, trade, tourism, investment and sustainable economic growth.
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The 2026 Uganda International Fashion Week, themed "Fashion for Impact," aims to transform creative talent into practical skills, jobs and viable businesses for young people.
Organisers say the initiative targets to equip 9,840 young people over three years, including women, girls, refugees, persons with disabilities and other youth, with skills, entrepreneurial capacity and income-generating opportunities across Africa's fashion value chain.
Founded in 2003 by ARAPAPA Fashion House under Santa Anzo's leadership, Uganda International Fashion Week is among Africa's longest-running fashion platforms, using fashion as a vehicle for skills development, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
