Tems Says A “Set-Up” Led To Her Spending Two Nights In An Ugandan Prison
As Tems rose in her stardom, she was once arrested in Uganda and admittedly, the two-day experience forever altered her in ways you’d never imagine. The “Free Mind” singer, 28, reflected on the horrifying moment during an interview with Angie Martinez on Wednesday (Nov. 1).
She first revealed that it was a “set-up.” Tems explained that she was booked for a show in Uganda during the pandemic when lockdown restrictions were beginning to lift. However, despite being sent permits that the performance was authorized, she later learned that it was “something weird” going on.
“There was this particular artist — I’m not sure what his role was, but he was basically threatening Nigerian artists like they shouldn’t come,” she stated. After the show, plain-clothed police officers arrested her and her manager. “They just came and said we should follow them,” Tems recalled.
“I thought I wasn’t gonna come out,” said the “Essence” collaborator, later thinking that the unfortunate circumstances were destined. “I thought maybe I was seeing this for a reason. Maybe this is for me to help these people in this prison.”
Funny enough, she shared that the prison uniform’s pungent odor sparked her desire to alter her style. “This new swag of mine is after I did ’cause before I was calm with my dressing,” Tems joked. “After, I was like ‘nah, I’m gonna wear anything I want.'” Overall, the experience caused her to “stop caring about so many things” because she felt many of the imprisoned women were there “for nothing.”
While there, there was no bed and minimal food; she wasn’t even sure if she was going to get out of prison because she couldn’t make any phone calls. Yet, the singer did make friends — thanks to her confidence — as a means of survival.
Watch Tems reflect on the whole incident above.
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