I Cried When They Gave Me My Prison Uniform – Tems on Jail Time in Uganda

Nigerian artist Tems shared the distressing experiences she encountered during her detention in a Ugandan prison back in 2020, providing deeper insight into her two-day ordeal alongside fellow musician Omah Lay.

Tems, during an interview with Angie Martinez, recounted her stark disconnection from the outside world, finding herself abruptly adjusting to the stark reality of prison life. The singer vividly described her feelings upon being picked up from her hotel, initially believing it to be a prank until she was confronted with the harsh reality upon receiving her prison uniform, leading her to tears.

“I thought I wouldn’t make it out. I believed I was there for a reason, maybe to help the people. I tried to adapt quickly, but once I was handed the uniform, and it had a foul stench because it wasn’t washed, I couldn’t help but cry,” shared Tems. She depicted the grim living conditions in a small, empty room with just blankets and tissues on the floor, devoid of a bed, and her distress over the uncertainty of her release, with no information available.

Despite her resilience and hope, Tems admitted she never anticipated a quick release. She observed the plight of women inmates detained for minor reasons and some who were allegedly held by paid guards. Conditions restricted inmates from making calls without money, which she lacked.

To cope, she lightened the atmosphere with nervous winks to the fellow female prisoners. “I thought to myself, ‘I can’t cry.’ So, I started winking to adapt and avoid tears. I wanted to show confidence,” she revealed to Martinez.

While in prison, an official in charge briefed Tems about the strict rules, warning against rule violations and their severe consequences, including solitary confinement in a small, empty storage room without food or water. Her experience was marked by minimal eating and sustaining herself on water.

The distressing incident stemmed from their performance at The Big Brunch in Uganda, where both musicians were taken into custody for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines following a national lockdown.

In Nigeria, efforts were immediately mobilized to secure their release. Tems’ manager’s father traveled to the capital, Abuja, seeking intervention from then-President Buhari. Eventually, their release was facilitated, allowing them to return home.