Museveni’s Alleged Election Abuses Force MTV Music Awards Postponement
MTV channel’s music awards due to be held in Uganda’s capital, Kampala have been postponed to a yet to be announced date after revelations documenting alleged election abuses by the ruling party.
MTV’s Africa Music Awards were to be virtually held on February 20, 2021, and hosted by Grammy Award-winning powerhouse DJ Khalid in partnership with Uganda, “The Pearl of Africa.”
But after Wednesday’s report from Uganda’s opposition led by Bobi Wine collating human rights abuses and election irregularities, Viacoms, MTV’s parent company has decided to shelve the idea of hosting the awards in that country.
“MTV Base is postponing the 2021 MTV Africa Music Awards. We will keep fans updated as we have more news,” MTV wrote in a statement.
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
The company’s director however did not issue reasons to this postponement although clear as they may be.
This year’s MTV awards were expected to mark the TV channel’s triumphant comeback after a 4-year break in 2016.
But Uganda’s opposition opposed the idea of having Uganda to host the event. His team claims to have evidence of ballot-stuffing, military coersion of voters and illegal casting of votes among many things.
22 days since social media was switched off in Uganda. We must end authoritarian rule. Gen. Museveni treats our country like his personal estate! He doesn’t like an NGO? Shuts it down. Unhappy with a media house? Revokes license. Feels threatened by social media? Switches it off!
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) February 4, 2021
“It was painful to see MTV was being used to sanitize the oppressive regime here in Uganda.
I am glad MTV is also seeing it and acting in respect of all the rights of artists. It would be such a shame for the MTV Music Awards to be held in Uganda under gunpoint,” lamented the opposition leader Bobi Wine – whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi.
More On iHarare
- The Real Reason Tumi Actress Larona Moagi Is Leaving The River Revealed
- Khanyi Mbau Flaunts New Bae, A Wanted Fugitive In Zimbabwe