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Nigerian artiste, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has narrated her ordeal in Ugandan prison after being detained for violating COVID-19 guidelines in the country.
Recall that Tems and Stanley Didia, popularly known as Omah Lay and were arrested by the police in Uganda after their performance last Saturday at The Big Brunch, a concert that was held at Speke Resort, Wavamunno Rd, Kampala.
But due to public outcry, the Nigerian government secured their release and they arrived Nigeria on Thursday.
In a post on her Twitter handle on Thursday evening, Tems thanked everyone who supported them during their ordeal in Uganda.
“This past week has been difficult but extremely eye-opening for me. I know some may have been worried, but despite everything, this experience has helped me see things for myself. While I was being detained, I met some amazing women and children, and my eyes were opened to the strife and hurt a lot of women are going through. I am so blessed to have experienced the strength and bravery that these women possess to keep them going.
“I have newfound compassion and desire to be more involved in making life easier for people such as these, no matter the circumstance,” she wrote.
Tems explained that she believed “all the necessary approvals had been fully met by the organisers to ensure a safe and compliant event in Kampala and would not have put her fans at risk if she knew otherwise.”
Her statement read in part:”On Saturday, 12 December, I was scheduled to perform with Omah Lay at the Big Brunch.When we arrived Uganda, we were met with such a warm reception, including press events promoting the show.
“This promotion alongside the safety terms outlined in the performance agreement, and the presence of authorities at the event assured us that necessary approvals had been fully met by the organisers to ensure a safe and compliant event in Kampala. I’m truly saddened that attendees could have possibly been exposed to coronavirus.
“I would have never participated had I even the slightest knowledge that the event would not meet standard operating procedures and put Uganda’s citizens at risk.
“The seriousness of coronavirus requires responsibility from everyone as a world citizen, a responsibility I take very seriously” she tweeted.