Keem Ntunga | Story Of The E.A Male Designer Of The Year 2022

Keem Ntunga is a professional fashion designer based in Uganda Kampala Kisaasi who lives with his Mum Kamini Justine. Unfortunately, the passionate lad lost his dad on 11th August 2020 and this significantly drained him. Keem was born on 13th July 1997 as a proud Muganda. That’s just a glimpse of who he is! Today, we bring you the story of a passionate fashion designer working with Eiffel Models Ug. We unravel for you what he went through to get where he is. You can caption this, ‘How to become a fashion designer in Uganda!

How Keem Ntunga Started Out His Love For Fashion

Keem Ntunga started falling for fashion when he was still in S.2 where they sent him home for school tuition issues. At this desperate point, he bought clothes from his upkeep and sold clothes to students who had prom parties at school. The school he went to was Mulama Secondary School in Nakaseke District. Later Keem went to Cambridge high school in Kyengera for S.4 as a baller on half bursary. His parents didn’t know this, so they paid the full price for school fees. As evil, as it sounds, Keem told Kampala ET that he used the balance to buy clothes for students who were going to Kadanke (youthful events) and other parties. At this school, it was more of a routine every term that they expected clothes from him.

How Keem Got A Plot Twist In His Fashion Business

“On the day of the prom party, I dressed to kill!” exclaimed Ntunga, “So, I was crowned as the prom king of the year from 2016 to 2017. Eventually, after UNEB, I had saved some money from school fees so I decided to go to Owino market to buy clothes. I had to hawk them on the streets of Kampala, but things were so tough, so I ran out of capital. Now, I started working in a certain hotel in Kampala as a waiter for 9 months where I saved Shs. 400,000” Luckily, Keem’s parents added him Shs. 700,000 which enabled him to rise a small boutique in Kalerwe. He sold already-made outfits in 2017. Later on, on 25th February 2018, Keem Ntunga bought his first sewing machine from savings. His parents realized that he loved fashion so they paid his tuition for a fashion and design course.

Education And Mastering Of Fashion Skills

Keem studied for a full year, mastered skills in men’s and ladies’ garments, and 2019 started a bigger boutique in Kalerwe. He started designing musicians like Voltage Music and began making good money. At this point, he bought the second electronic sewing machine during the 2020 pandemic. The tragedy forced him to return home where he couldn’t work till he decided to take his manual machine onto a veranda.

The Breakthrough Of Keem Ntunga And His Awards

“Fortunately, within the pandemic, I started making some good money. Later, after saving some more, I started another big boutique in Kisaasi, started designing big artists, and started working with Eiffel modes ug.” revealed Ntunga, “Eiffel Models got me connections for clients throughout 2020 even though I lost my beloved father.” In 2021, Keem resumed his work by designing Rahma Pinky and Lil Ollo and widening his business. In June, he started a fashion school and bought more machines.
“For my students in 2022, I won an award as the BEST FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR IN THE GAZA FASHION AWARDS.” he excitedly said. In 2023, more doors opened for awards as he won the UPENDO FASHION AWARDS AS THE BEST MALE EAST AFRICAN DESIGNER OF THE YEAR from 2023 to 2024. This event was organized by Eiffel Models Ug.

Inspiration And Advice For Young People

Keem Ntunga draws his inspiration from Latif Kasumba Madoi and he is associated with Eiffelmodesug and Uganda Tailors association. He is so courageous and persistent in what he wants. His hobbies are fashion, listening to music, traveling, going to fashion shows, and swimming. His biggest achievement is the fact that he owns a brand Kisaasi top boyz. He also runs a fashion house as well as becoming a fashion teacher. Keem Ntunga proudly associates with Eiffel Models Ug who helped him greatly to get clients around Kampala. He advises young people to keep praying and stay chasing their dreams.