Rina Ahumza Champions Sustainable Fashion to Tackle Climate Crisis in Uganda

As the world searches for innovative climate solutions, a 23-year-old Ugandan fashion designer is redefining what it means to be stylish and sustainable. Ahumza Kobulungi Rinah, a graduate of Industrial and Fine Arts from Makerere University, is pioneering the movement of ethical and sustainable fashion in East Africa—where fabric, design, and climate action now walk hand in hand.

In a recent episode of Green Planet Voices, Rina opened up about her journey from a fashion enthusiast to a climate-conscious designer determined to change how we produce and consume clothing.

“At first, I just loved fashion. But in my second and third year at university, I began reading more about the impact of fashion on climate change,” she said. “That’s when I realized—I need to do something. We only have one planet. There’s no planet B.”

Fast fashion, Rina explains, is one of the world’s most polluting industries—contributing significantly to carbon emissions, plastic pollution, and exploitative labor conditions. Cheap materials like polyester, derived from fossil fuels, dominate the market, while many garment workers are underpaid and overworked.

“From the fabrics to the production lines, fast fashion harms both people and the planet,” Rina said. “We can’t just keep quiet and let this happen.”

Her wake-up call came during research projects at university, where she learned how fashion contributes to environmental degradation through water overuse, chemical dyes, and non-biodegradable waste.

Now a full-time climate advocate in fashion, Rina uses her platform to educate consumers and designers on what sustainable fashion really means.

“Sustainable fashion is about designing, producing, and consuming clothing in a way that does not harm the environment,” she explained. “That includes using renewable energy in production, reducing water usage, and paying fair wages to workers.”

“It starts with the design. We must think: What fabric am I using? Where is it from? Can it be reused or recycled? Is it biodegradable? Am I paying people fairly?”

Beyond the sewing machines and design boards, Rina believes fashion is a powerful storytelling tool.

“People wear what they believe in. And when they wear sustainably made clothes, they’re making a statement that they care about the planet.”

She’s working with local designers and youth-led groups to promote slow fashion, upcycling, and circular design principles. Her goal is to help shift Uganda’s fashion industry toward sustainability—one conscious wardrobe at a time.

Rina’s message is clear: we all have a role to play.

“We must educate ourselves as consumers. Before you buy something, ask yourself—do I really need this? Who made it? What material is it? Will it last?”

Her vision is for a future where fashion supports climate resilience, not contributes to the crisis.

“Sustainable fashion isn’t just a trend—it’s a responsibility. It’s about protecting the earth and the people on it,” she concluded.

As Uganda faces rising climate threats, innovators like Rina Ahumza are proving that the solutions may be closer than we think—even stitched into the very fabric of what we wear.