Three years ago, Speedball was little more than an ambitious idea shared by a group of teenagers who believed Ugandan fashion deserved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global brands.
On Saturday night, that idea looked a lot more like a movement.
At Motiv in Bugolobi, Speedball Summer 2026 brought together designers, models, musicians, photographers, stylists, creatives and fashion enthusiasts for an event that blurred the lines between fashion show, live performance and cultural celebration.
It wasn’t just another runway.
It was a showcase of what happens when young creatives are given the freedom to experiment.
From the moment guests walked into the venue, it became clear that Speedball had no interest in staging a conventional fashion presentation. Instead of relying solely on music playlists and catwalks, founder David Mulolo partnered with Joshua Waiswa (Josh SB) and the 360 Immersive team to introduce a live orchestra into the heart of the production.
The decision transformed the evening.
As models glided down the runway, orchestral arrangements created moments of suspense, excitement and emotion. One minute the atmosphere felt cinematic, almost like the soundtrack to a James Bond film. The next, the orchestra seamlessly transitioned into Kanye West and Jay-Z’s Niggas in Paris, injecting the finale with an energy that had the audience on its feet.
The music didn’t simply accompany the clothes—it gave them a new identity.
Every outfit felt like part of a story unfolding on stage.
That attention to detail extended beyond the soundtrack. The lighting, choreography, stage design and pacing all reflected a production that felt far more ambitious than audiences have come to expect from many local fashion events.
Yet beneath all the spectacle was a simple message.
Every single garment on the runway had been designed and produced in Uganda using locally sourced materials.
For Mulolo, that matters more than any standing ovation.
“Three years ago, we were 17 and 18-year-olds with an idea. Today, we’re bringing together big crowds and amazing people, and that shows what young people can achieve when they believe in their work and build together,” he said.
“We want ‘Made in Uganda’ to become something people are proud to wear—not because it’s local, but because it’s exceptional.”
That philosophy has become the driving force behind Speedball’s evolution.
Rather than encouraging people to buy local out of patriotism, the brand is making a case for Ugandan fashion based on quality, creativity and craftsmanship.
The latest collection reflected that ambition.
Oversized jackets, relaxed denim, distressed fabrics, leather detailing and layered accessories dominated the runway, creating a streetwear aesthetic that felt contemporary without losing its local identity. The pieces balanced bold design with everyday practicality, proving they belonged just as comfortably on Kampala’s streets as they did on the catwalk.
One of the evening’s most engaging moments came courtesy of Guinness Smooth’s “Make It Yours” activation.
Instead of admiring the clothes from a distance, audience members were invited to become part of the creative process by reimagining garments straight from the runway.
Some customised colours.
Others distressed fabrics or altered silhouettes.
A single design quickly evolved into several completely different interpretations, reinforcing the idea that creativity is collaborative rather than fixed.
“Through our Make It Yours campaign, Guinness Smooth is committed to supporting spaces where individuality, collaboration and original ideas can thrive,” said Denise Paula Nazzinda, Brand Manager for Guinness Smooth.
“What we witnessed at Motiv was more than a fashion show. It was young people taking ownership of their stories, their style and their creative potential.”
The entertainment extended beyond fashion.
A halftime performance featuring Tracy Noel, Julius Ssese and the orchestra blended classics such as Rihanna’s Rude Boy and Ne-Yo’s Miss Independent with newer hits including Ayra Starr’s Who’s That Girl, creating a musical experience that appealed across generations.
The orchestra itself became one of the night’s biggest stars, seamlessly moving between genres while amplifying every moment on the runway.
What made Speedball Summer memorable, however, wasn’t simply the production value.
It was the sense of possibility.
The event showcased what can happen when fashion designers collaborate with musicians, visual artists, production teams and corporate partners instead of working in isolation.
It painted a picture of a creative industry where disciplines intersect, audiences participate and young talent is encouraged to dream beyond traditional boundaries.
Looking ahead, Mulolo says Speedball’s ambitions stretch far beyond organising annual fashion shows.
His vision includes expanding production capacity, creating opportunities for more young designers and building a creative ecosystem capable of competing on the global stage.
“Every garment you saw was created by a small team,” he said. “Imagine what we can achieve with an entire community of skilled young creatives.”
That vision will undoubtedly require investment, infrastructure and long-term support.
But after witnessing what unfolded at Motiv on Saturday night, one thing is already evident.
Uganda’s next generation of creatives no longer needs convincing that their work belongs on bigger stages.
They already believe it.
And perhaps that’s the biggest statement Speedball Summer made—not through the clothes, but through the confidence stitched into every collection.
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