Aitenga’s Stitch Tour Takes Tailoring Students Into the Real World
We took learning outside the classroom and into the heart of Kampala, organising an Exposure Tour for 19 tailoring students, 2 teachers, and 6 staff. The day was designed around a simple idea that becoming a great tailor is about far more than knowing how to sew. The first stop was the Gadaffi Mosque Craft Market in Old Kampala, a vibrant space filled with clothing, crafts, and products created by local tailors and vendors. Students moved through the market with curiosity, engaging in conversations with makers, exploring the range of products on display, and taking in the sheer level of creativity and innovation around them. For many, it was an eye-opening experience and a real-world demonstration of what is possible when skill meets originality.
The visit sparked meaningful reflection. As one student observed during the tour, “It is through creativity and innovativeness that tailors can create brands.” A simple but profound insight that captured exactly what the day was designed to inspire. The second destination brought a different but equally impactful experience. Students visited the Sustainable Design Centre (SDC) in Kampala, where Steven from SDC introduced them to the principles of Design Thinking and how it can be applied to innovation, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and personal growth. The session was engaging and practical, encouraging students to think collaboratively, approach challenges creatively, and explore solutions that are grounded in real life.
The students then explored the Motiv Creations, a creative business hub where multiple fashion shows are held in Kampala, here they had the opportunity to interact with models, entrepreneurs and see firsthand how skills can be transformed into marketable, commercially viable products. The visit concluded with an energising session on entrepreneurship, centred on an important message , start small, remain consistent, and build something sustainable from the skills you already have.
Across all 3 visits, the message of the day rang clear. Successful tailoring is not just a craft. It is creativity, it is innovation, it is identifying opportunities, and it is the courage to build something uniquely your own. A heartfelt thank you to Motiv Creations’ team for creating such a thoughtful and meaningful learning experience, and to SDC Kampala for their inspiring session and their continued investment in the next generation of young entrepreneurs. Days like this remind us why we do what we do.
