Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, widely known as Tems, has finally explained why she has avoided performing in Uganda for the past five years. The award-winning singer says her decision stems from the painful memories surrounding her dramatic arrest in Kampala during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Tems’ last appearance in Uganda was at a concert held at a time when public gatherings were prohibited. The event, which also featured fellow Nigerian star Omah Lay, ended with both artists being arrested for allegedly violating health restrictions. The images of Tems in court that circulated worldwide sparked intense debate and outrage, especially among Nigerian fans who felt the musicians were unfairly treated.
This week, Tems responded to a fan on X who asked why she has not returned to Uganda. She replied by posting a powerful court photo taken during her 2020 ordeal, subtly reminding the public of what she went through.
Although the two Nigerian artists were freed within days, the incident fueled a storm of controversy online. Many pointed fingers at Ugandan authorities, while others accused local entertainers of playing a role in the saga. At the height of her frustration back then, Tems accused Ugandan musician Bebe Cool of influencing the arrests—an allegation he repeatedly denied.
Earlier this year, Bebe Cool revisited the matter in an interview on the Afrobeats Podcast. He insisted that he was wrongly blamed and even claimed he helped push for the release of Tems and Omah Lay, despite having previously criticised the event organisers for holding a concert during lockdown when Ugandan artists were out of work.
He explained that he only learned of the arrests late in the night and immediately started making calls to understand what had happened.
For now, Tems’ recent post makes it clear that the memories of her Kampala experience remain strong, and it may take time before she considers performing in Uganda again.