Reach A Hand, Uganda on Thursday evening launched season 6 of the long awaited MTV Shuga, Africa’s most popular drama series at Sky Lounge Restaurant & Bar.
“Globally regarded as Africa’s most viewed youth-focused series, MTV Shuga has since its inception in 2009 grown local cultural and social relevance on a continent which is rich in social diversity and culture and where countries are wanting content in local languages that resonates with them culturally.
Launching it in Uganda has always been our greatest contribution to this conversation,” Issa Buka Nsubuga, Reach A Hand Uganda’s Programs Manager said.
Season 6 dubbed “MTV Shuga Naija”, was shot in Nigeria and weaves in stories that will speak to young people across not only across Nigeria, but Africa at large and the many gatekeepers they have to engage with as they navigate choices about safe sex, family planning, the use of contraceptives, peer pressure, domestic and sexual violence.
“We can’t wait to share the exciting new storylines and important messaging on family planning and sexual health that we’re touching on this season. We’ll explore more issues that affect young people and highlight the reality faced by many adolescents in their everyday lives, as well as the choices they can make to empower themselves,” Humphrey Nabimanya, the Team Leader & Founder of Reach A Hand Uganda stated.
Shortly before the silent screening of the first episode of season 6, a panel discussion was held on the HIV/AIDS situation in Uganda.
It had key people in the HIV/AIDS awareness spectrum and these were; Duncan Musumba (Head of Marketing, Uganda Health Marketing Group), Barbara Kemigisa (Founder, Pill Power Uganda), Kuraish Mubiru (Executive Director, Uganda Young Positives), Jaliah Nalubwama (Peer Educator at Reach A Hand Uganda) and Emmanuel Ikubese (lead actor in MTV Shuga season 5).
Speaking at the panel discussion Duncan Keith Musumba, the Head of Marketing at UHMG, stated that contraceptives like condoms are all available for you. Always choose safety over pleasure.
“Reach A Hand Uganda is committed to empowering young people in Uganda, and through MTV Shuga, we believe it addresses key social issues affecting young people not only in Uganda, but Africa and this is through realistic storylines and characters that resonate with them. The series seeks to impart knowledge and empower the youth to take positive action towards their health and lives.” Said Humphrey Nabimanya.
MTV Shuga is a drama series by MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base Africa. It has been launched in Uganda by Reach A Hand Uganda together with Segal Family Foundation, Uganda Health Marketing Group through their flagship product Condom O, NBS Television and Talent Africa.
The drama series will be airing every Wednesday at 8:00 PM on NBS Television (DSTV- 286, GOtv- 94) and on SautiPlus TV every Thursday at 8:00 PM.