Grammy-winning Nigerian songstress, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has shared her harrowing experience in a Ugandan prison.
In December, Tems and Omah Lay were famously arrested and subsequently detained in Uganda after performing at a concert held at the Speke Resort in Kampala. The arrest was made on grounds of violating COVID-19 social distancing regulations.
However, in a recent interview with Angie Martinez of Power 105.1 FM New York, Tems maintained that they did not break any COVID-19 rules and insisted that it was a setup.
The Oscar-nominated diva revealed that she had resigned herself to the possibility of not getting out of jail and was already mentally preparing for a lengthy stay, showcasing her ability to adapt quickly.
“We didn’t break the [COVID-19] rules. It was basically a set up. We went to Uganda for a show. It was during the COVID year, but things had already begun to open up at that time. Uganda had recently held a rally, so people were going out and there was no lockdown. It was the aftermath,” Tems recounted.
“The organizers assured us that they had the necessary permits and they even sent it to us. We didn’t suspect anything. However, after the show, the police showed up at our hotel room without uniforms. My manager and I were having a meal when they knocked on the door. At first, my manager decided to go with them voluntarily. However, they came back upstairs to pick me up, and that’s when I wondered who had tipped them off. Later, I learned about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the incident. It was really scary. I ended up spending two nights in prison, unsure of whether or not I would make it out. I found myself contemplating the idea that there might be a reason for me to experience this, perhaps to bring attention to the plight of prisoners. It was a truly bewildering experience, but I must admit, I adapted quickly,” Tems revealed.
