Nigerian singer Tems has bravely shared the traumatic incident of her detention in a Ugandan prison back in 2020, alongside Omah Lay.

In a recent interview with Angie Martinez, Tems vividly described the cramped and gloomy prison cell where she was confined, recounting the overwhelming fear and uncertainty that enveloped her. She remembered being given a malodorous uniform and having to sleep on the cold floor, devoid of a bed or any basic amenities.

"I thought I wouldn't come out," Tems said. "I believed there was a reason for me to be there, perhaps to help the people. I adapted quickly, settling in."

Tems revealed that she had no knowledge of the charges leveled against her or her legal entitlements, which heightened her apprehension about the possibility of an extended period of incarceration.


She expressed deep gratitude towards her fans for their unwavering support, underscoring how their prayers and uplifting messages played a crucial role in fortifying her resolve throughout the ordeal.

However, the Nigerian star placed blame on Bebe Cool for her imprisonment, describing him as a strange "mad man."

"We went to Uganda for a show during the COVID pandemic. The organizers provided us with a permit to perform, and we went there. There was this strange, mad guy (Bebe Cool), a particular artist whose role I still don't understand. He was essentially threatening Nigerian artists to come to Uganda. After the show, the police came and arrested me and my manager. We were taken to jail. I thought I wouldn't come out. I believed there was a reason for me to be there, perhaps to help the people. I adapted quickly. As I walked in, I started to cry because they gave me my uniform, which stank because they didn't wash it. It was a small room with nothing but the floor. They provided blankets and tissues, and you're just on the floor with no bed. I spent two days there. I had no information about when I would be released, and I had no contacts. Outside, everyone was saying 'Free Tems, Free Omah Lay,' but inside, I remained hopeful, waiting," she said.