Santa Anzo

Anzo was born in Kampala, Uganda around 1975. Her family traces its origins to Moyo District in the West Nile sub-region of northern Uganda. According to some accounts, her family went into exile in South Sudan following the fall of Idi Amin's government in 1979 and later returned to Uganda in 1982. She was homeschooled in exile by her mother Chezira Iku Dolo before returning to Uganda for formal education. She attended Old Kampala Primary School and later Bat Valley Primary School where she completed her primary education. She pursued O-level studies at Madhvani College in Wairaka, Jinja District, and A-level studies at Progressive Secondary School in Bweyogerere, Wakiso District. She later enrolled at Dolphins Fashion College in Kampala, graduating with a Diploma in Fashion Design.

Anzo began her professional career in 1995 as a waitress at Kampala Casino while pursuing modelling part-time. She later worked as a modelling consultant at the Geraldine Modeling Agency and was elected chairperson of the Pearl of Africa Modelling Association, an early umbrella body for models in Uganda. In 1999, Anzo co-founded Ziper Models, where she served as manager responsible for marketing and sales. Her responsibilities included financial management, model training, show production, and choreography. She left the company after approximately sixteen months.

In 2001, Anzo founded ARAPAPA Fashion House and Design Studio in Kampala. The name Arapapa means "butterfly" in the Madi language, spoken in her family's region of origin. The fashion label produces Afrocentric couture and ready-to-wear collections that draw inspiration from African cultural heritage. Through her work, Anzo has collaborated with corporate and development partners on initiatives promoting fashion entrepreneurship and youth mentorship in Uganda.

In 2003, Anzo founded Uganda International Fashion Week (UIFW), an annual fashion event aimed at creating a platform for African designers, models, and fashion entrepreneurs. The event has featured designers from across Africa and serves as a forum for networking and promoting the business side of the fashion industry.

Anzo has presented her fashion collections at several international fashion events and showcases including the Africa Fashion Exchange in Durban, South Africa. She has also showcased at events including Swahili Fashion Week in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Mozambique Fashion Week, and other regional fashion exhibitions. In 2025, she was reported to have been appointed as a goodwill ambassador to the World Fashion Exhibition.