The organisers of MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) have announced the postponement of the 2021 edition of the event.
The award ceremony, which was earlier scheduled to hold in Kampala, Uganda on February 20, has now been postponed indefinitely.
MTV Base announced the postponement in a short statement on its Twitter page on Thursday but did not reveal the reason for the decision.
“MTV Base is postponing the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards. We will keep fans updated as we have more news,” the statement read.
MTV Base is postponing the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards.
We will keep fans updated as we have more news. pic.twitter.com/yLvxxZpaVs
— MTV Base Africa (@MTVBaseAfrica) February 4, 2021
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But in a message to PUNCH on Friday, the organisers revealed that the event was postponed due to the “current health and safety challenges”.
“After careful consideration, MTV Base is concerned that the current health and safety challenges will significantly jeopardize the ability of the campaign to continue to achieve its objectives,” it wrote.
“MTV Base will keep fans posted. The 2021 MAMA Kampala is a virtual event. Strict adherence to health and safety protocols as specified by WHO have been adhered to throughout the production process.”
MTV Base was earlier lambasted for planning to conduct the award event despite the allegations of human rights violations against Yoweri Museveni, Uganda’s president.
Some critics in Uganda wondered why the award ceremony should be held at a time when the host nation is going through tough times.
The MAMAs were established in 2008 to celebrate the most popular contemporary music in Africa.
The organisers had announced that this year’s event will be hosted by DJ Khaled, an American record executive and producer.
Khaled was expected to host the virtual award ceremony from his home in Miami, Florida alongside his African co-emcees.
Burna Boy, Calema, Diamond Platnumz, Master KG, Davido, Tiwa Savage and Wizkid were nominated for the ‘Artist of the Year’ category.
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