Nigerian Singers, Omah Lay And Tems Arrested In Uganda For Violating COVID-19 Guidelines

Fast-rising Nigerian artistes, Omah Lay and Ms Tems, have been arrested by the police in Uganda for violating covid-19 guidelines.

Omah Lay and Tems were arrested shortly after their performance on Saturday night at The Big Brunch, a concert that held at Speke Resort, Wavamunno Rd, Kampala.

The Assistant Superintendent of Police and Deputy Police Spokesperson, Kampala Metropolitan Police, Luk Owoyesigyire confirmed their arrest on Twitter on Sunday.

Owoyesigyire also revealed that the manager of the concert venue (Dungu Ivan), the events manager (Prim Kasana) and Tem’s manager (Muyiwa Awoniyi) were also arrested.

“Nigerian artist Omah Lay has been arrested by Katwe Police. The manager of the venue, One Dungu Ivan and the Events manager, Prim Kasana are also in custody.

“Temilade Openiyi AKA Ms Tems (Artist) also been arrested with her manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi/Awomiyi,” A.S.P Lukowoyesigyire tweeted.

Temilade Openiyi Aka Ms Tems (Artist) also been arrested with her manager Muyiwa Awomiyi

— Owoyesigyire (@Lukowoyesigyire) December 13, 2020

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Kampala Metropolitan Police; Superintendent of Police, Patrick Onyango, also confirmed that the singers were arrested for flouting COVID-19 guidelines.

Onyango also mentioned that three Ugandan police officers were arrested for conniving with the organisers of the event to break the law.

“Nine people have been arrested in connection to the unauthorized concert that was held last night in Ddungu Resort, Munyononyo, Kampala Capital City. Those arrested include Nigerian artiste Stanley Omah Didia alias Omah Lay, artiste Temilade Openyi alias Tems, Muyiwa Awomiyi (Temilade’s manager).

“Benjamin Kabura (organiser), Ivan Ddungu, the manager of the place where the concert was held, and Prim Kasana, the event manager, who contracted Omah Lay to sing. Others are police officers L/AIP Fabiano Juma, No51328 PC John Bosco Ocaba and No.67898 PC Paul Odongo.

“All suspects are being held on offence of doing acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease, which is Coronavirus. It is also alleged that the suspects and others still at large held a concert in violation of the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.”

The Police Public Relations officers stated that the culprits’ file was being processed so that they can be charged to court.

“It is alleged that the organizers of the concert first held lunch and dinner, but later on, at night they started inviting artistes to perform. Preliminary investigations indicate that they connived with area police officers, who guarded the illegal event.

“The arrested officers and three others still at large are also being investigated for disobeying lawful orders. All suspects are detained at Katwe Police Station in Kampala as their files are being processed so that they can appear in court.

“After the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country, the Ministry of Health issued guidelines suspending concerts attended by revellers in order to stop the spread of the deadly virus. The guidelines still stand.

“We condemn the acts of some selfish individuals, who are bent on violating the directives on COVID-19 with the purpose of making money while risking the lives of many Ugandans. We appeal to members of the public to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines on the prevention of the spread of COVID-19,” he added.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Ugandan Government has lamented that citizens in COVID-19 quarantine centres were having sex with each other.