Award winning Nigerian singer, Tems has opened up about her harrowing experience in a Ugandan prison in 2020, revealing that she feels honored to have gone through it.
In an interview with ESMagazine today, Thursday, June 6, 2024, Tems recalled her time in a small cell with other women, fearing beatings if she made a mistake. Despite the challenges, she found the experience humbling and eye-opening, allowing her to connect with women and children facing struggles.
In her words, "Prison was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I actually feel honoured to have had because otherwise, I would never have thought about these people, and to be in their presence was very humbling. I asked one of the girls there, “Do they beat people up here? Am I gonna be beat up?' And she was like, 'Only if you misbehave.’"
Tems and fellow singer, Omah Lay were arrested in Uganda for performing at an unauthorized concert and disobeying COVID-19 protocols. After their release, Tems expressed gratitude for the experience, acknowledging the hardships women face in detention.
This very day Last Year, I was sitting in prison in Uganda bonding with women and kids.
— TEMS (@temsbaby) December 13, 2021
I almost can’t believe the things I’ve seen so far.
All I can say is God is too awesome and He will always have the last and final laugh✨🙌🏾🥺
