She observes that lifestyle is all about the experiences we curate, and travel is at the heart of that. Gloria Haguma describes herself as a God-fearing, loving, and introverted fashionable Ugandan queen.
She absolutely loves having fun, exploring new countries, and discovering new restaurants to taste unique cuisines. Each place offers a unique perspective that fuels her creativity. To the aspiring writer, don’t take criticism personally; instead, view them as tools to hone your skills.
How do your friends describe you?
I think my friends would describe me as a fun-loving foodie with a big heart—loyal, God-fearing, and incredibly sensitive. They’d say I have a beautiful aura that radiates kindness, and I’m the friend you can count on, always showing up for the ones I love.
Where does fashion & lifestyle meet travel?
Fashion and lifestyle meet travel in the most beautiful and inspiring ways. Traveling opens you up to new cultures, aesthetics, and lifestyles, which naturally influences your personal style. After visiting different places, you might find yourself incorporating African prints, Asian silks, or Scandinavian minimalism into your wardrobe and home decor.
Lifestyle is all about the experiences we curate, and travel is at the heart of that. The places we visit shape our stories, from the outfits we choose for different destinations to the souvenirs we bring back. Dressing for a trip, whether it’s a beach resort, a bustling city, or a peaceful countryside becomes a way of telling our travel story.
Fashion influences creativity on a global scale, and I’ve seen first hand how it inspires collections and trends worldwide. As a lifestyle journalist, I’ve learnt that the magic happens when these elements converge, enriching our worldviews and the way we express ourselves.
What’s in your travel bag?
My tra
vel bag is always packed with curated outfits for every day and occasion, both day and night. Along with that, I carry my Bible, wallet, mobile phones, power bank, lip gloss, a notebook, toothbrush, and all the essential travel documents.
When planning for travel, what inspires or determines your fashion outfits?
When it comes to travel fashion, I’m inspired by the culture, climate, and purpose of my trip. As a fashion journalist, I attend events like fashion weeks or cultural festivals, so my outfits need to balance professionalism and personal style.
For example, while covering Moscow Fashion Week, I opted for structured, sophisticated pieces that matched the city’s urban elegance. For tropical destinations like Dubai, breathable fabrics, vibrant colours, and resort-style pieces reflect the sunny, laid-back atmosphere.
I also like to pack versatile pieces that I can mix and match, ensuring comfort without sacrificing style. So, a lot of the time, my go to will be pieces by local designers like Anita Beryl, Kaijuka Abbas, Fatuma Asha, Joan Jade, and Miss Shee.
I blend these with ready to wear pieces that I have collected over time or shop at my destination. Accessories also play a key role in elevating my looks, and I love showcasing Ugandan accessory designers like Shwanda Collection, Tropics, and Kona in my outfits. My wardrobe is a blend of practicality, creativity, and storytelling with each outfit reflecting the journey and the experience of the destination.
To what destinations and events has your craft as a fashion writer and critic taken you?
I’ve been blessed with opportunities to travel to incredible places like Moscow, where I attended the BRICS+ Fashion Summit (2023 and 2024) and Moscow Fashion Week (March and October 2024), and South Africa for the Leading Women in Africa Summit by Forbes. I’ve also covered events in Kigali, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
These experiences have deepened my appreciation for the universal language of fashion and how it connects people worldwide. Though I’ve received invites to fashion shows in cities like South Korea, Costa Rica, Denmark, Thailand and Paris, I’ve had to pass up those opportunities due to various reasons. But trust me, those are high on my vision board for 2025 and I am manifesting so hard for them!
Which are your top travel attractions within and outside Uganda, and why?
In Uganda, it would be Murchison Falls, Queen Elizabeth National Park, and Kisoro District, my hometown.
Kisoro holds a special place in my heart; it’s the most breathtaking place in Uganda, and I can’t recommend it enough. Outside Uganda, I would have to say, Masai Mara in Kenya, the Atlantis White Sand Dunes in Cape Town, the overwater Bungalows in the Maldives, and the Northern Lights in Iceland. All these are high up on my vision board so they will be on my Instagram feed real soon!
What brings your spirit alive when you travel?
What truly excites me about travel is immersing myself in new cultures. Meeting people from different backgrounds, hearing their stories, and learning about their way of life inspires me. Nature’s beauty, whether it’s a stunning sunrise, a tranquil beach, or the majesty of the mountains also brings my spirit alive.
Exploring local fashion and cuisine is another huge thrill. Each place offers a unique perspective that fuels my creativity. It’s this mix of adventure, connection, and discovery that makes traveling so enriching for me.
How has travel affected your persona and spirit?
Travel has been transformative for me. It’s made me less introverted as attending global events has pushed me to network and connect with people from all over the world.
I used to be the kind of person that would be glued to one end of the room, and would leave an event without possibly even speaking to one person, but that has all changed.
This has helped me build meaningful relationships and expand my social capital. Professionally, it’s elevated my profile. From fashion weeks to international summits, these experiences have allowed me to showcase my work and learn from so many of the individuals that I meet.
Spiritually, travel has been a journey of growth. It’s taught me adaptability and deepened my appreciation for diversity. With every trip, I feel more open to life’s adventures, which constantly inspires me to dream bigger and connect more genuinely.
What tips can you share with someone wanting to follow in your footsteps as a writer?
Start by being open to experimenting. Don’t be too picky at first. Try writing about different topics until you find your voice. I started at the Daily Monitor writing about a wide range of subjects from education to oil and gas before I found my passion for fashion and lifestyle.
Finding your voice eventually as a writer is important as this allows you to embrace your individuality, and is what sets you apart from what is a very crowded field. Also, be observant and curious, allowing yourself to see a story and angle where others will see an ordinary moment.
Pay attention to the world around you, the people you meet on a day-to-day basis. Regardless of how ordinary someone might seem, everyone has a story, and that could be the one that turns everything around for you as a writer.
Always be open to feedback. In my earlier years, my worst days would be hearing from any of my editors like Mike Ssegawa, Carol Beyanga, Flora Aduk and Rhosie Amodoi, that there was something they didn’t like about an article I had written.
But over time, I’ve learned to embrace it, knowing it’s essential for growth. Seek feedback from mentors, editors, or peers, and use it to improve. Don’t take criticism personally; instead, view them as tools to hone your skills.
Networking is key! Writing isn’t a solitary endeavour, and connecting with others in the industry can lead to new opportunities. Finally, be persistent. This journey has its ups and downs, lots of rejections and stumbling blocks.
I once was nominated for a fashion journalism award in Tanzania, and was self-funding for the trip. So, I sat on a two-day bus to Dare salaam, and ended up not winning the award.
I remember crying all the way back on my return bus journey. However, that was possibly the moment that changed it all, because I became so determined to win that award, so I worked on improving my craft, and thankfully, won the award the following year. So, if you stay determined, you’ll keep improving and reach greater heights.
What do you know today that you wish you knew at 25?
At 25, I didn’t understand that life isn’t a race. We all have our own paths and timelines. I used to feel pressured by society’s expectations and compare myself to others.
I’ve learned not to envy those who seem to reach their milestones earlier or faster than I do. We all have our own paths, and God’s timing is always perfect. Every experience, no matter how challenging, is a deliberate part of the story he is writing for us.
Life unfolds exactly as it should, and trusting that has brought me peace. I also didn’t understand then that people come into our lives for a reason, and some relationships or friendships are meant to end as we grow. It’s not a loss but a part of life’s natural progression.
I also wish I had learned to forgive sooner. Holding on to anger only weighs you down. Forgiveness is for your own peace, and letting go of grudges makes room for personal growth and healing.
Besides fashion & lifestyle writing, what else keeps you busy?
I love trying out new restaurants, exploring new destinations, and watching documentaries, especially true crime!
How has your career journey influenced your financial discipline?
My career journey has taught me the importance of financial discipline. Juggling multiple projects means I need to budget wisely and separate personal and business finances.
Working in the creative industry, I’ve learned to plan ahead for production costs, marketing, and collaborations, helping me stay financially responsible. Saving for unexpected expenses and being thoughtful about my spending has become second nature. Overall, my career has strengthened my ability to manage finances and think long-term.
What is on your wish list?
On my wish list: to attend the MET GALA in New York, gain full financial freedom, build a retirement home for my parents, attend fashion week in the five fashion capitals and, of course, get married in Lake Como!
