Following the post election unrest that has trailed Uganda; and the incessant civil unrest that has become a part of the Ugandan political clime for sometime now; their has been a disapproval of the MTV MAMAs slated to happen in Uganda.
Ironically, government departments, including the police and the military are on social media trying to communicate to citizens, who they have threatened to arrest for using VPNs to access social media! They lack shame; they lack direction- they're tired. #WeAreRemovingADictator
— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) February 4, 2021
After an online campaign urging the media outlet to cancel its annual MTV Africa Music Awards; over allegations of human rights abusesby the Ugandan government, the TV channel postponed the awards Thursday; which was due to be held in the East African country’s capital, Kampala.
“It was painful to see MTV was being used to sanitize the oppressive regime here in Uganda,” said presidential candidate Bobi Wine during a news conference Thursday. “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.”
MTV Base did not give a reason for the postponement. When asked whether the decision had anything to do with the alleged human rights abuses; a communications director at Viacom, MTV’s parent company, said “we have nothing further to add.”
Before Thursday’s news conference, Wine’s legal team issued a 50-page report collating allegations of apparent abuses; human rights violations, and irregularities relating to the national elections on January 14.