Nigerian star Tems has reopened one of the most painful chapters of her career, hinting that she may not be ready to forgive Uganda for the events that unfolded during her infamous 2020 arrest in Kampala.
During an AskTems session on X, a fan posed a simple question: “What’s the lore behind you not coming to Uganda?” Rather than respond with words, Tems posted a photo of herself with events promoter Kim Ssebuliba inside a Ugandan courtroom. The image instantly stirred memories of a scandal that dominated regional entertainment headlines four years ago.
https://t.co/N49EKb4Da0 pic.twitter.com/Z31l1ArkGJ
— TEMS (@temsbaby) November 25, 2025
In December 2020, Tems and fellow Nigerian artist Omah Lay were arrested after performing at a concert in Uganda that violated strict COVID-19 restrictions. The two artistes were detained, appeared in court and spent two nights in jail before the charges were eventually dropped. The incident sparked diplomatic tensions, social media uproar and a wave of criticism over how visiting artists were handled during the pandemic.
Tems has previously described the experience as traumatic. Her resurfaced courtroom photo served as a subtle yet powerful reminder of a moment she clearly has not forgotten. It also rekindled debate around a separate controversy that unfolded at the time, when Tems publicly accused Ugandan artist Bebe Cool of being behind the police tipoff that led to their arrest. Bebe Cool has repeatedly denied the allegation.
READ: I negotiated Tems, Omah Ley release from Uganda police custody- Bebe Cool
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Following her post, many Ugandans flooded her comment section with apologies, expressing regret over the ordeal and pleading for a chance to mend the relationship between the singer and her Ugandan fans. But based on Tems’ reaction, forgiveness appears to be a distant possibility, if it was ever on the table.
For now, the question remains open. Will Tems ever forgive Uganda? Her post suggests the wounds may still be fresh, and her return to a Ugandan stage may not happen anytime soon.
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