Nigerian singers, Omah Lay and Tems were arraigned before the Makindye Division court today for flouting COVID-19 guidelines in Uganda.
The fast-rising stars were on Sunday December 13, arrested together with their managers and four other Ugandans for holding an illegal concert at Ddungu resort in Munyonyo where they gathered big crowds, contrary to President Museveni’s directives on the prevention of the spread of Covid-19.
They were charged with doing “acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease, Covid-19,” according to Assistant Superintendent of Police and Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luk Owoyesigyire, Kampala Metropolitan Police.
They were remanded in Luzira prison till Wednesday, December 16.
In a series of tweets after his arraignment, Omah Lay questioned why he wasn’t given a right to a fair hearing in court. He also claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nigeria has been trying to secure their release but the Ugandan officials have refused to speak with them.
Why am I being detained? Why am I not been given a right to a fair hearing?
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020

I didn’t organize a show, I came on stage and saw teeming fans and sang to them…
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020

Is there something bigger at play in Uganda? Why do I have to take the fall for it???
— Omah Lay (@Omah_Lay) December 14, 2020

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 .
More details to follow
— Owoyesigyire🇺🇬 (@Lukowoyesigyire) December 13, 2020

Those arrested are Ivan Ddungu, the manager of the place where the concert was held, Omah Lay the musician and Prim Kasana, Events Manager, who contracted Omah Lay to sing.
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) December 13, 2020

. @Patrickonyango1 “Three people have been arrested in connection to the unauthorised concert that was held last night in Ddungu Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala City”. https://t.co/YQwXDElQbC
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) December 13, 2020

Earlier in March, Museveni banned all music concerts, closed down bars, banned fans at all sporting events, and reduced the number of people who could attend church services.

Rtn. Victor Ojelabi

Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.