The Weekly Topic
| Founder(s) | Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, Kintu Musoke, and Kirunda Kivejinja |
|---|---|
| Editor | Wafula Oguttu |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Ceased publication | 1994 |
| Country | Uganda |
The Weekly Topic was the first Ugandan English language investigative newspaper published in Kampala, Uganda, from 1978 until it ceased operations in 1994. The newspaper was launched by the "Sapoba Three" (Kintu Musoke a former Ugandan Prime minister, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, a former Local Government minister and Kirunda Kivejinja, former deputy premier) who owned the printing company Sapoba.[1][2]
History
[edit]The weekly topic was one of the first investigative newspaper and the last mainstream radical newspaper in Uganda.[3] The Milton Obote II government banned the newspaper because its publishers (Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, Kintu Musoke, and Kirunda Kivejinja) were members of the Uganda Patriotic Movement (UPM) which worked to elect Yoweri Museveni in 1980 elections as well as becoming the foundation of the National Resistance Army/Movement.[3] Its ban was lifted after the Okello general ousted Obote 2 in July 1985.[3]
In the years of its publication, The Weekly Topic emerged as a key venue for political and environmental discussions, particularly following the end of Idi Amin's regime.[4] It was instrumental in advancing the philosophy of the Uganda National Liberation Front (UNLF), acting as a platform for the discussion and spread of political concepts at a time of great change in Uganda's history.[4]
The newspaper was also notable for its "Femina Column," which featured writings by prominent Ugandan figures such as Elvania Namukwaya Zirimu. These columns addressed pressing social issues, including women's liberation and societal expectations, offering a platform for progressive discussions on gender roles in Uganda.[4]
Wafula Oguttu, one of the editors of The Weekly Topic developed a blueprint to improve content at The Weekly Topic but after it ceased Publication, he used the same to start The Monitor newspaper alongside Mr Obbo, David Ouma Balikowa, Ogen Kevin Aliro, Richard Tebere and Teddy-Sssezi Cheeye and Jimmy Serugo.[2]
Closure in 1994
[edit]Despite its influence, The Weekly Topic faced challenges common to many publications in Uganda during that era, including political pressures and economic constraints hence its closure in 1994 leading to the inception of The Monitor newspaper also known as Daily Monitor.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ "Unique and great story woven in the Sapoba". Monitor. 2021-01-09. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Monitor's march from small start-up to household name". Monitor. 2022-08-01. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ a b c "Before Vanessa Nakate, there was Nassali and Ndyakiira". Monitor. 2021-11-03. Retrieved 2025-03-18.
- ^ a b c "press | Uganda's Past, Ugandan Futures". 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2025-03-18.