By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Uganda has been selected by MTV Base to host the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) 2021 edition.
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The awards are scheduled to happen in February 20, 2021, and it will be the first time Uganda will be hosting such a big event. The gala brings together musicians from all over the world, however, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, organizers have confirmed the event will be done virtually.
This comes after in August 2019, the Ugandan government approved the bid to host the prestigious awards an opportunity that has since been granted.
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Monde Twala, senior vice president of Viacom CBS Networks Africa, hailed Uganda’s vision to use the awards to unite young people through culture and music, and also celebrate music across the continent.
Holding the awards virtually will widen a variety of cross-border collaboration between international and African artists “way more than we have ever had before”, Craig Paterson, senior vice president of Viacom CBS Networks Africa, said.
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In the same vein, Uganda’s State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda said the announcement marked a “great day” for Africa and Uganda before adding that Uganda is super excited to host the awards.
“This is Africa’s best moment as we showcase the Pearl of Africa. Welcome MAMAs to the Pearl of Africa! Welcome MAMAs to Uganda!” Kiwanda said.
Kiwanda said the hosting of the MAMA will be done in conjunction with the ministry to boost the country’s tourism profile. Tourism contributes about ten percent to the East African nation’s GDP.
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The MAMAs, which were first held in 2008, were last held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2016. The other time the awards were held in East Africa was in 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The awards will be hosted by celebrated TV show host Douglas Lwanga who hosted the inaugural MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) which were unveiled on Wednesday 25 November at Mestil Hotel in Kampala.
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Douglas Lwanga & Anita Fabiola During MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) Inauguration At Mestil Hotel In Kampala
After being confirmed, Lwanga revealed that this is a dream come true and a great opportunity to showcase his talent to the world.
”It’s a big opportunity because the event was streamed worldwide on MTV and other Viacom networks. It is a dream of all television personalities to work with MTV,” Lwanga said.
Uganda is the latest African country to host the prestigious awards after Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.
