By Wycliff G; Information reaching our desks from liable sources indicates that Ugandan Cabinet has approved the bid for the country to host the upcoming 2019 MTV Africa Music Awards.
In a state-issued by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology on Tuesday evening, the event will provide a platform that empowers Ugandan and other African artists whilst celebrating creative diversity and excellence.
It would also profile Uganda across 48 counties in Africa and 60 territories around the world that Viacom International Media Networks, African Channels broadcast.
The MTV Africa Music Awards was conceived and created by the SVP and MD of the MTV Networks in Africa, Alex Okosi. Earlier, African artists had been included in the MTV Europe Music Award where MTV Base Africa viewers voted for Best African artist in the 2006 and 2007 MTV Europe Music Awards.
The first awards show was held at the Velodrome, Abuja in Nigeria on 22 November 2008 and was broadcast around the world on November 29 in conjunction with Airtel and local television channels in Africa.
The show was hosted by Trevor Nelson. The awards were preceded by four concerts celebrating the musicians nominated for the awards.
There were concerts featuring international and local nominees, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 5, Nairobi, Kenya on November 9, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on November 13 and Lagos, Nigeria on November 15, 2008.
In the entire MAMAs’ history, Uganda has only been nominated in three editions with singers Radio & Weasel (2014), Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone (2015), Eddy Kenzo, Sheebah Karungi and Bebe Cool (2016).
None of the Ugandan artists have won the MTV accolade despite huge investments in their fans during the voting process.
The awards have not held for the last two years as Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President of Viacom International Media Network Africa said the company is working to reinvent the MAMA to create a deeper music experience for the upcoming editions of the award.
Uganda will be hosting the 10year old awards for the first time and second in East Africa after Kenya’s memorable accolade ceremony in 2009.
All the best for Uganda!
