Our Team

Innocent komugisha

Innocent Komugisha is a dynamic seamstress who has over 18 years of tailoring experience with various designers and brands in Uganda. She was the first employee of Mazuri Designs and is a force to be reckoned with in the sewing room. Inspirational and hard-working, Innoncent was born in Rukungiri District and is the guardian of one child. She holds a certificate in tailoring from St. Kizito Institute Bugolobi.

"I joined Mazuri Designs in 2015 and it has been an amazing opportunity for me as I have been able to provide for myself, my family and relatives from the salary that I get. When I joined Mazuri, I had just lost my guardian and had no job, and so I could not afford to pay for my own rent. With the salary from Mazuri, I can now pay for my own housing and take care of my family. Through working for Mazuri, I have saved enough money and bought myself a sewing machine. Thanks to Mazuri Designs, I now have a better life.”

Susan nantale

Susan Nantale is 23 years old and grew up in Luwero district as an orphan with her elder sister taking care of her. In 2015, after learning of Girl Up Initiative Uganda she joined its first cohort of vocational training students. Susan did exceptionally well and was employed at Mazuri in 2016. Since joining Mazuri, Susan says her life has drastically changed, she feels a sense of belonging, can freely interact with her peers, and is becoming a professional tailor.

"I am grateful to Mazuri Designs because before I started working, I could not afford to buy myself clothes or food. The job has helped me a lot in terms of making a better living. Now, I am also able to support my family and guardians back at home in Luwero with paying bills and other basic needs. Being a part of the Mazuri team has helped me gain skills that make me confident and assertive as I am now able to maintain myself.

Through Mazuri, I have inspired many women and girls. I train girls at Mazuri and my village to make clothes and jewelry so they can earn a living and help their families. It has shaped all of us into better and hard-working young women.

I am a product of Mazuri Designs."

Jackie Akedi

Jackie joined Mazuri Designs in 2019, after completing our sewing training program. She was born in Lira, Uganda, about 250 km away from Kampala. She was born in a family with ten siblings, eight brothers and two sisters. Jackie was the only one of her sisters to attend school, until when she was 17, as her parents prioritized paying for her brothers education and could no longer afford her school fees. Prior to working for Mazuri, she sold goods beside the road, barely making enough money to put food on the table for her four children. As a single mother, she works extremely hard to put her two boys and two girls through school. She hopes they will all be able to attend university one day.

“Mazuri has really changed my life. Before Mazuri I could not afford school fees for my children. I am able to look after myself. I can buy clothes. In the days before I joined Mazuri, I couldn’t afford food in the house. Now I can buy food and support my brothers and aunties. At Mazuri, I’m happy. I was really happy when they told me to join the training group. I was happy, so so happy. I never dreamed I could do this before.”

Miriam Kabayo

Miriam Kabayo joined our team in August 2016 as one of our first vocational trainees. Miriam is a mother of five children, one girl and four boys. When Miriam finished secondary five in school, she started working at a church as a receptionist, caterer and accountant for five years. Miriam has also worked at a grocery store and a shop selling furniture and appliances. 

"I joined Mazuri in 2016 after I was trained and I gained more skills. I have learnt how to work with others assertively. I can now help others learn what I learnt. I have been able to influence other young girls and women's lives through sharing with them the knowledge of tailoring that I attained from Mazuri. Working for Mazuri has also enabled me to take care of my children and support my family. Our lives have changed for the better thanks to Mazuri."

Marion Achom

Marion Achom is the Business Manager at Mazuri Designs Hub overseeing its day-to-day operations. She also supports Girl Up Initiative Uganda with their Adolescent Girls Program. Marion is a guardian to two children and grew up in Luzira where the workshop is based. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Adult and Community Education and is very passionate about working with youths and young mothers. For the past five years, Marion has worked tirelessly with adolescent girls transforming their lives in aspects of building their self-confidence, speaking out and developing their business skills.

"It has been such an amazing learning experience for me to join Mazuri Designs Hub. I have learnt so much with business, fashion and design, customer relations, and marketing. I do not tailor like the other women do in the workshop, but I can select a good fabric, blend exact colors, and offer advice when it comes to the production of quality products. I have always loved art, so being part of Mazuri gives me satisfaction, especially looking at these ladies coming up with new, creative products for the workshop.”

Annah Kanowomugisha

Annah Kanowomugisha joined our team in 2019. She comes from Mbarara and is a guardian of two children. Anna has a five years of experience in tailoring and has worked with different fashion designers in Uganda. She received a certificate in tailoring from Ruhanro Vocational Training School in Mbarara.

“I joined Mazuri a year ago and so far, it is such an amazing experience. I have learnt some new styles that I did not know previously, and I have learnt how to relate with different people. Thanks to Mazuri, I can now sustain myself, my parents and the two children that I take care of.”

Annet Kyokutamba

Annet Kyokutamba is a Senior Seamstress with Mazuri Designs. She joined our team in 2016.  Annet is 27 years old, has one daughter, and is a guardian to her two brothers. Annet brings eight years of fashion design and sewing experience. She received a certificate in tailoring from Nyakibale Ladies Vocational Institute. 

"I joined Mazuri Designs in 2016 and it offered me a job that has helped me pay for my own personal sewing machine. I am also able to look after two of my brothers and pay for their school fees. There is spirit of teamwork at Mazuri. It has exposed me to different and diverse people. I have also become a role model to the women and girls in my community. I love sharing my knowledge with others. It is the best feeling ever!"