At just 25, Ugandan fashion entrepreneur Oscar Nyesiga, popularly known as Oscar Kampala, is pursuing ambitions that go beyond building a successful fashion brand. Through his luxury menswear business and the 7,000 Men Movement, he wants to connect thousands of young African entrepreneurs, promote mentorship and create opportunities for business growth across the continent.
His growing profile has earned him a nomination for Designer of the Year at the 2026 EMY Africa Awards in Ghana, placing him among some of the continent’s recognised fashion talents.
However, while the nomination is a significant milestone in his fashion career, one of his biggest ambitions lies in building a network of young African men who can learn from one another, develop businesses and contribute to the continent’s economic growth.
The 7,000 Men Movement is Oscar Kampala’s initiative to bring together 7,000 young entrepreneurs, professionals, innovators and emerging leaders from different African countries.
The idea grew out of earlier gatherings known as 300 Men and 1,000 Men, which laid the foundation for a much bigger initiative. The movement aims to create connections through networking, mentorship, leadership development and economic empowerment.
Its flagship gathering is planned for Nairobi, Kenya, in 2026, with the ambition of bringing together thousands of participants from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and other African countries.
The idea is to create a platform where young entrepreneurs can exchange ideas, establish business partnerships, meet potential investors and learn from experienced business leaders.
For Oscar, the movement is an opportunity to turn the networks he has built through fashion into something bigger. Rather than concentrating solely on growing his own business, he wants to create connections that can help other young Africans develop their enterprises.
The initiative also reflects his belief that young people can play a bigger role in shaping Africa’s economic future when they have access to the right networks, knowledge and opportunities.
Oscar’s entrepreneurial journey began with an interest in tailoring and men’s fashion while he was still young. Over time, that passion developed into a luxury menswear business catering to professionals, entrepreneurs, executives and other clients seeking bespoke clothing.
Through his brand, Oscar Kampala has built a presence in Uganda and expanded his business ambitions into Kenya, positioning himself in two of East Africa’s important commercial markets.
Growing a fashion business across borders requires more than creativity and an understanding of clothing trends. It also involves building customer relationships, maintaining quality, managing operations and establishing a brand that can compete in different markets.
Oscar’s expansion demonstrates his determination to develop a regional business rather than limit his ambitions to Uganda.
His fashion enterprise has also provided a platform for engaging with businesspeople and professionals, relationships that have helped shape the thinking behind the 7,000 Men Movement.
The entrepreneur’s latest recognition comes through his nomination for Designer of the Year at the 11th EMY Africa Awards, scheduled for 21 November 2026 at the Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre in Ghana.
He is competing in the category alongside Kenneth Tetteh, Kenneth Ize, IB Kamara and Atto Andoh.
The awards recognise individuals making contributions across different sectors, including business, fashion, leadership and entertainment.
For Oscar Kampala, the nomination puts his work on a bigger continental stage and recognises his growing contribution to African fashion.
While the EMY Africa nomination recognises his work as a designer, the 7,000 Men Movement could become one of the most significant projects of his entrepreneurial career.
Bringing together 7,000 participants is an ambitious undertaking that will require partnerships, funding, organisation and sustained engagement. Its long-term success will depend on whether the connections created can translate into meaningful business opportunities.
If properly developed, the initiative could grow beyond a single gathering into a network connecting young entrepreneurs with mentors, investors and potential business partners across Africa.
For Oscar, the ambition is to build more than a recognisable fashion label. He wants to use the influence and networks created through his business to encourage other young Africans to pursue entrepreneurship and leadership.
From tailoring suits to envisioning a continental network of 7,000 men, his journey reflects an ambition to make an impact beyond the fashion industry.
