Top Ugandan model Adam Gashegu Mukasa, popularly known as Adam Gashe, has won several awards thanks to his dedication and professionalism. The commercial, editorial and fitness model who stands out of the class of male models in Uganda was born on 20th April, 1993.
He has won several awards for his work including the Abryanz Fashion Awards (2014) and the Uganda Entertainment Awards (2015).
Adam has featured in projects like adverts for Centenary Bank, Barclays Bank, Club Twist beer, Orange Uganda, Vodafone Uganda. He has featured in the hostel TV series as Loyd, and walked on different run ways in and out of Uganda like Bride and groom expo, Malengo fashion show, Rwanda cultural fashion week and Distal world in Congo to mention but a few.
We caught up with him and here is what he had to say about his inspirational modeling journey through the years.
How did you join the modeling industry?
I went to visit a friend’s shop who happens to be a stylist. His name is Abryanz. I was still in school then. He asked me to come and join a photo shoot that was going on since I had a good body and style. I gave it a try and the photos were awesome. A modeling agency, Eloquent Models, picked interest and they signed me on. This was in 2012 when I was still in S.6.
Given your busy schedule, how often do you work out?
If I don’t have a show in a week, I will work out once in a day. But if I have gigs I work out twice a day. I don’t want to have a very unbalanced physic. They will look at me as very unprofessional.
Tell us about your Hostel project; what is you role and how does it feel being on TV every day?
First of all, I am a model and that is where it all starts from. I am here to inspire youth as a model. For a youth to see me out there I feel honored and want to inspire them. It makes me proud of myself because I started from zero. Being on TV every week makes me feel like I am inspiring some one out there who may want to give up on life.
My character is Loyd on the show. He is a young rich teen trying to finish up his exams, he is not a hard worker but he likes things that come easy. He has the money. He loves his parents and brother. He is thinking of joining his dad’s hostel when he joins campus.
Unfortunately, I will be on the show for only one season. But I am working on a new project with NTV Uganda. It is a Ugandan version of something but I cannot tell you now. Stay locked on NTV.
Which people do you want to work with as a model?
I want to work with the best in the industry. I consider myself an innovator, so, I would love to work with brands or people that are leading the future of the fashion industry. I want to work with South African designers like Craig Port, Rich Mnisi, Magents, David Hart then Models like Eric Rutherford, and Keith Carlos. Then brands like Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, D&G among others.
What is the most surprising thing that your fans don’t know about you that you wish they knew?
One thing people don’t know about me is that my appetite is too high but if someone saw me out there they would think that he is a gentleman. Eating is more like my other hobby.
I am also so much of a loner most of the time. When I get back home I switch off my phones and reflect how my day was and the next it will be. I will lock myself in a room and keep to myself. But out there people know me as a people’s person.
What is your best moment in life?
My best moment was when I won the first award that is the Abryanz Fashion Awards (2014). I did not believe in myself. But the people around me believed in me. They supported me and I won the award for outstanding male model. I got to focus on my career and learnt that people appreciate my work. And now here I am supporting the youth and giving them hope.
What is your lowest moment?
My lowest moment came in my primary school when my dad and mom divorced. The bad blood between them greatly affected me. My parents didn’t care for me for almost a year and since I was in a school that belonged to my dad’s friend, I used to stay there for a long time and lived there even after the term had ended.
I missed the parental love and that affected me emotionally and it also affected my grades. Whenever I reflect back, I fell very bad. I never knew I would make it out of this. The good thing is that they now talk.
What challenges have you faced as a model?
The main challenge I have faced is exploitation. But I have since decided to hire serious management. Now I work with Joram model management who is making business fair for me and him. Most people those days would rip you off. You would do a deal of 7 million and get just 1. Your work would be used for years instead of the agreed time.
We also lack professionalism in the industry because people have failed to embrace the fact that fashion industry is growing in Uganda. We fight too hard to get where we are and uplift our brands but people still despise us. I recently did an advert and someone wanted to pay me 70,000shs for an advert. Which kind of professional person does that? They forget that you will be the ambassador of their brand. They need to pay you the money that you deserve.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself in New York like the Aamito’s. If you look at them they are inspiring so many youth. They are working with international brands like Gucci, Levis Viton, name it. They first made it here at home and then they thought of going out there. So, it’s about time I crossed boarders too, perhaps this could lead to my break through as well.
What advice do you have for young models out there?
To people like me out there, I advise them to never to be scared to take a risk. It is better you take a risk for the better other than not trying. If you are laid back there will not be progress in life. Don’t be afraid to take a jump. Always be humble and disciplined because this has taken me very far. With these qualities, you can make it anywhere.
Who is your best musician in Uganda and why?
I don’t really have a favourite musician but my best right now is A Pass because I love reggae music and A Pass is really showing us that it is not only foreign but it can also be Ugandan and we can make our own here in Uganda. People never used to like it but they have started embracing it because of him.