Uganda To Host 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards - MAMA
MTV Africa has announced that the next edition of its prestigious MAMA awards will be hosted in 'The Pearl Of Africa', Kampala, Uganda in 2021.
The exciting news was announced in a virtual press conference held simultaneously in Johannesburg and Kampala by Monde Twala and Craig Paterson, Senior Vice Presidents and General Managers at Viacom CBS Networks Africa (VCNA), The Ugandan State Minister for Tourism, Godfrey Kiwanda and CEO of the Ugandan Tourism Board, Lilly Ajarova.
Speaking on behalf of Viacom CBS Networks Africa, Monde Twala stated,
“We are excited to bring this amazing showcase to audiences across the continent and globally with an innovatively re-imagined awards show and celebration.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, content production has embraced innovation as the new gold and we are excited to take Africa to the World and showcase its immense talent and culture as we stage the biggest music awards show on the continent.”
The official invite-only launch event was held on Wednesday, 25th November 2020 and was graced by several top Ugandan artists including; Sheebah Karungi, John Blaq, Daddy Andre, Bebe Cool among others.
MTV Africa confirmed through their socials that the awards will happen in Kampala, Uganda on 20th February 2021.
The Pearl of Africa, #UGANDA is set to host the MTV Africa Music Awards #MTVMAMA on 20 February 2021. A game-changer in the Arts Industry..
Let's experience the pearl @VisitUganda #VisitUganda pic.twitter.com/S0JhtO8w5C
— MTV Base Africa (@MTVBaseAfrica) November 25, 2020
This is the first time Uganda will be hosting such a major musical event acting as a platform to showcase what Uganda, as a nation, possesses in terms of Arts and Film.
According to Daddy Andre, Uganda will gain massively as people will start noticing their talent.
"It is very good because it is a group distributing music worldwide, the best platform any artist needs. I think it is a big chance to work with them because the whole world will see you. So artists should use this chance to show that they are hungry for the international market."
The MAMA awards were established in 2008 by MTV Networks Africa to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa was the home the last award showcase held back in 2016.
This is the second time the awards will be hosted in East Africa with Nairobi, Kenya being its previous host back in 2009.
Categories for MAMA awards;
- Best Female
- Best Male
- Best Group
- Best Breakthrough Act
- Best Collaboration
- Best Hip Hop
- Best Alternative
- Best Ugandan Act
- Best Lusophone Act
- Best Francophone Act
- Best International Act
- Video of the Year
- Song of The Year
- Artist of the Year
- Alone Together Lockdown Performance
- Listeners Choice
- Best Fan-Base Award
- Personality of the Year
- MAMA Legend Award
- MAMA Generation Change Award
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