6th June, 2024
By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi
Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste, Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, has reflected on her time in a Ugandan prison, framing it as an unexpected opportunity for personal growth.
Speaking about her ordeal, the singer expressed gratitude for the experience, stating that it offered her insight into the lives of those imprisoned.
She acknowledged that without firsthand experience, she wouldn’t have fully understood the challenges faced by prisoners.
Tems highlighted how the humbling nature of her prison stay has left a lasting impact on her perspective.
She described the experience as a unique opportunity to connect with individuals she might not have otherwise encountered.
“Prison was 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.”
The incident stemmed from her and fellow artiste Omah Lay’s arrest and detention in Uganda for their participation in a concert amidst COVID-19 restrictions.
Despite enduring two nights in jail, they were eventually released on bail.