MTV Africa Music Awards back with Uganda event in 2021

27 Nov 2020 - 11:55

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ViacomCBS Networks Africa, the organiser of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs), have announced that the continental award show will make a return on 20 February.

Bebe Cool, Sheebah and Nasty C were present at the virtual press conference.

The seventh edition will be in partnership with Uganda's Ministry of Tourism. The partnership will see the inclusion of the country’s capital in the awards’ name – MTV Africa Music Awards Kampala 2021.

The nominees will be announced in December in 20 categories covering music, sports, celebrity and industry.

The awards ceremony will feature performances from leading African and international artists. It will be aired on various MTV channels around the world as a one-hour MTV World Stage feature.

The announcement was made during a virtual press conference broadcast from Johannesburg and Kampala. In attendance were ViacomCBS Networks Africa’s Monde Twala and Craig Paterson, Ugandan Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda and Ugandan Tourism Board CEO Lilly Ajarova. Also present were Ugandan artists Bebe Cool and Sheebah as well as South African rapper Nasty C.

“The latest edition of the MAMAs promises to be our biggest and most innovative yet,” Paterson said. “Millions of fans worldwide will enjoy the digitally reimagined celebration and African music via multiple broadcasts globally.

“We are excited to partner with Uganda to bring viewers a unique format and experience that positions Africa’s diverse heritage and digital innovation."

Kiwanda said the event would offer a “wonderful opportunity for global audiences to experience Uganda's magnificence, the profusion of a brilliant life and diverse natural wildlife, and the vast scale of entertainment, events, art, culture, cuisine, history and shopping.”

“We are also so proud to be able to highlight Uganda's musical richness and allow our talented artists to showcase their immense talent, and the diversity of Uganda's sounds, to music fans beyond this continent,” he said.

The MAMAs were first launched in 2008. The last edition was held in 2016 at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa. Other countries that have previously hosted the event include Nigeria and Kenya.

Artists who have previously won MTV Africa Music Awards include Cassper Nyovest, D'Banj, Diamond Platnumz, Toofan, Nameless and Sarkodie, among others.