By Andrew Irumba
SOROTI: The Vision Group great scribe, Emmanuel Opio on Saturday won the highly contested Teso Journalists SACCO Chairmanship elections.
Known for his transparency and committed heart in journalism, Opio defeated his Etop Radio counterparts; Patrick Oluk, the news anchor and deputy programme producer and Stella Akia, the News anchor and presenter.
The election conducted at Nature Gardens, Soroti on Saturday, June 22, 2019 had all the media houses in Teso representatives.
Mr. Opio garnered 9 votes while Patrick Oluk came in the second position with 7 points as Stella Akia trailed with two votes. The association was formed by Teso media practitioners with an aim of addressing the economic dilemma faced by Teso journalists.
Speaking to our reporter after elections, Mr. Opio applauded the Teso Media fraternity for trusting him to lead them and promised to unite the Teso media Fraternity with at most effort.
“As we forge a way to improve our economic livelihood. We should foster unity, transparency and accountability as our moral principles,” Opio said.
“My leadership will be embedded to uphold the media fraternity of Teso to attain their heights because messengers have been left in economic transformation,” Opio added, calling for a united force among journalists to achieve the best.
Stella Akia was elected Vice Chairperson, Joshua FM’s Cathy Aeto, was voted the association’s treasurer. Also the positions of media coordinators, publicity and secretary were filled with people coming from various media houses.
Oluk applauded Mr. Opio and promised to work harmoniously with the rest of journalists for the common good.
Who is Opio Emmanuel?
Mr. Opio is a born of Katakwi district and known for his passion in investigative journalism and public affairs reporting, which led to his arrest by police a year ago. He writes for the New Vision, Etop radio and Etop Newspaper where he also Casual sub-edits.
Mr. Opio worked as reporter for Voice of Teso while still pursuing his bachelors at Kampala International University. He also served as Speaker of Teso Students Development Association (TESDA).
