Etop newspaper celebrates silver jubilee

By Godfrey Ojore

ALL roads lead to Soroti Senior Secondary School in Soroti Town for Saturday's mega silver jubilee celebrations of Etop newspaper, Eastern Uganda’s leading weekly.

Etop newspaper is the sister newspaper of New Vision that was established in 1990. Today’s celebrations shall be combined with that of Etop Radio that will be celebrating its 6th anniversary since its establishment.

Over twenty artists have been lined up to entertain revellers.

The artists that shall perform include Bebe Cool, Irene Namibiru, Ragga Dee, Desire Luzinda, dance group IDU, Young Mulo and Jackie Chandiru.

Others from Teso include Uncle Ben, Yona Chan Lee, King Featherman, Roga Roga Djs, Steven Destiny, Ugandan Mario, Kasimo, Triple J and Emong Jonhson Otinga.

There will be traditional performers (ajosi) from Gweri and upcoming artists in Teso that shall entertain the audience all night long.

On Monday, Etop launched week-long activities including visiting fans in main markets in the region. They started in Bukedea district, Serere, Amuria, Ngora and ended on Friday in Katakwi at Ocori Imongin market.

“I thank all our loyal readers, advertisers, the leadership of Teso for the support they have rendered to us. We managed to come this far because of your support and we continue asking for more of your support,” said James Ekewu the editor of Etop newspaper.

Since the beginning of this month readers and listeners have been winning a number of items such as hand hoes, money, lamps, and saucepans among others.

“Grand prize for our readers shall be cows. We chose cows simply because Itesots are cattle keepers who are so much attached to cattle,” Ekweu explained.

What people say about Etop newspaper and radio

“We praise God for Etop newspaper for its excellent service to the people of God. Etop is the voice for Iteso and it has initiated educative columns such as Pass PLE that to me has contributed to good academic performance in the region. I congratulate Etop newspaper and the radio for their extinguished service to Uganda,” Retired Soroti bishop Dr. Charles Obaikol Ebitu.

“I buy Etop weekly because I get farming tips that have helped me as a farmer. I regard Etop as a farming tool of farmers because it publishes farmers who have excelled in farming and good farming methods that is helping many farmers in the region,” Merabu Isega from Serere.

“Etop has promoted Iteso culture and local artists like me. If it was not because of Etop newspaper the world would have not known that Teso has a lot of talent in the music industry,” Martine Eyoku alias Baba Dee.

“The paper serves both the old and the youth and as an Atesot I am proud of Etop newspaper because it’s educative and it entertains the people equally,” Betty Acen a nursing student.