Michelangelo College of Creative Arts (MCCA) has made a powerful statement in Uganda’s rapidly growing creative economy after being crowned Best Fashion Institute of the Year 2026 at the second edition of the Inter-University Fashion Challenge held at the University of Kisubi on 28 August 2026.
The victory marks a significant milestone for MCCA and places the institution among Uganda’s emerging centers of excellence in fashion, creative arts, design and innovation.
MCCA’s institutional triumph was driven by an outstanding performance from its students, who secured three category victories in a highly competitive field involving six institutions.
THREE MCCA CHAMPIONS
The College’s winning students were:
NIYIGENA ANGELLA — Eco-Fashion Champion
Angella captured the Eco-Fashion category, demonstrating how fashion can combine creativity, innovation and environmental responsibility.
NAZZIWA JANE — Modernity Champion
Jane emerged victorious in the Modernity category with a contemporary creative approach demonstrating the ability of young Ugandan designers to engage with modern fashion while developing distinctive design identities.
OTTO ENZIO — Accessories Champion
Enzio won the Accessories category, demonstrating that fashion extends beyond garments into the creative design of complementary wearable products.
Their combined achievements secured Michelangelo College the coveted institutional title.
“THIS IS MORE THAN A TROPHY”
The MCCA victory represents more than success at a student competition.
It demonstrates the potential of competency-based creative education, where students are trained to transform ideas into practical products while developing professional confidence, technical skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
The achievement also highlights the growing importance of fashion education in Uganda’s creative economy.
From textiles and garment production to accessories, photography, modeling, styling, branding and entrepreneurship, the fashion ecosystem offers opportunities for thousands of young Ugandans.
“THREE CATEGORY CHAMPIONS, ONE INSTITUTIONAL CROWN”.
The Kisubi creative showdown & the 2026 Inter-University fashion challenge brought together students from:
- University of Kisubi
- Kyambogo University
- Makerere University
- Michelangelo College of Creative Arts
- Kampala University
- Uganda Christian University
Contestants competed in seven categories:
Heritage | Color Your World | Ghetto Vs. Urban | Eco-Fashion | Inclusive Fashion | Modernity | Accessories
The competition challenged students to demonstrate originality, cultural understanding, sustainability, technical ability and contemporary design thinking.
The event was organised by Trillion Looks Store under the Afri Art Fashion Show initiative, providing young designers with an opportunity to showcase their work and interact with the professional fashion industry.
PULL QUOTE
“The Future Of Ugandan Fashion Is Being Designed In Our Creative Classrooms Today.”
Although Michelangelo College took the institutional championship, the overall Best Student Fashion Designer 2026 award went to Brother Maryviane Ndikizimba of the University of Kisubi, He is a former student of Michelangelo College of Creative Arts and Is a member of Bannakaroli Brothers.
Ndikizimba stood out among the contestants with an innovative two-piece gown incorporating cowrie shells, combining cultural symbolism with contemporary fashion design.
He was also awarded a sewing machine, providing practical support for his continued development as a young designer.
The Champions
Michelangelo College of Creative Arts students celebrated after the institution was crowned Best Fashion Institute of the Year 2026 at the Inter-University Fashion Challenge held at the University of Kisubi on the 28th August 2026.
Niyigena Angella of Michelangelo College of Creative Arts presened her Eco-Fashion creation during the 2026 Inter-University Fashion Challenge.
Nazziwa Jane, winner of the Modernity category, demonstrated the creativity and contemporary design thinking emerging from Michelangelo College.
Otto Enzio, MCCA’s Accessories category champion, presented his creative interpretation of fashion accessories before the competition judges.
Brother Maryviane Ndikizimba of the University of Kisubi displayed his award-winning cowrie-shell-inspired fashion creation after being named Best Student Fashion Designer 2026.
SIDEBAR | MEET THE THREE MCCA CHAMPIONS
- NIYIGENA ANGELLA-Eco-Fashion Champion
Angella’s victory places sustainability at the centre of MCCA’s fashion success.
Her achievement demonstrates the growing ability of young designers to rethink materials, production and fashion consumption while maintaining creativity and aesthetic appeal.
- NAZZIWA JANE-Modernity Champion
Jane emerged as the Modernity category champion, demonstrating contemporary design thinking and a willingness to explore new approaches to fashion.
Her success represents the confidence of a new generation of Ugandan designers seeking to position local creative talent within a changing global fashion environment.
- OTTO ENZIO-Accessories Champion
Enzio’s victory demonstrates the enormous creative potential within fashion accessories.
His achievement highlights the importance of accessory design as a specialised creative discipline capable of generating products, businesses and employment opportunities.
From Classroom To Creative Industry
The victory gives Michelangelo College an opportunity to strengthen its position as a centre for fashion, art, design, technology and creative entrepreneurship.
The institution’s success demonstrates the importance of exposing students to competitive platforms where they can test classroom knowledge against real-world creative challenges.
The three champions now carry the responsibility—and opportunity—to develop their talents beyond the competition.
Their success can inspire other MCCA students to recognize that creative education is not simply preparation for employment.
It can be preparation for creative enterprise, innovation and job creation.
Gateway News Editorial
THE FUTURE IS CREATIVE
Uganda’s young people possess enormous creative potential.
What they need are institutions capable of nurturing that potential, competitions that give them platforms to demonstrate it, and an industry prepared to invest in their ideas.
The 2026 Inter-University Fashion Challenge provided one such platform & Michelangelo College responded with distinction.
Gateway News congratulates the students, lecturers, mentors and the leadership of Michelangelo College of Creative Arts for putting Uganda’s creative education on the national fashion map.(By Don Edwarles MKM)
