By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus – Andrew Onen is determined to bring hope to the less privileged and those distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic through comedy. 

The Mass Communication student and former fellow at the Media Challenge Initiative is the founder of NewsLaughs, a platform for relaying global news in a uniquely satirical way. 

He says his main aim is to spread a message of hope by relaying information in a more interesting manner, compared to the usual businesslike tone associated with broadcasts from international news channels like Al Jazeera, CNN and the BBC.

"I intend to spread the message of hope to both the privileged and less privileged. There are privileged people who are unprivileged," Onen says.

He adds that he is a versatile comedian, which is the reason why due to the dark cloud cast over us by the COVID-19 pandemic, he thinks there is need for some kind of emotional relief for the audiences. 

He says that many people need information that will not only leave them updated but also smiling and hopeful. That is the reason he chose to start NewsLaughs.

"I am a 360-degree funny man, but I chose the NewsLaughs for now as a way of making people get information without the normal global news boredom. We are in a time of sorrow here and there and we need to pass information in a way that will bring smiles and hope to the audience," Onen explains.

He currently uses different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube among others to spread his content. He believes it's the best way given the current circumstances. 

Onen is looking forward to mentoring young talent along comedy lines, and making NewsLaughs a continental brand for news comedy.

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