The afrobeats phenomenon Omah Lay described his time spent incarcerated in Uganda as an “amazing time.”
When Omah Lay and Tems performed at a concert in Speke Resort, Kampala, during the height of the pandemic, they broke the COVID-19 social distancing rules and were prosecuted.
In the interview, Omah Lay said that although the situation seemed difficult at first, he now views it as a valuable experience that helped him advance in his musical career.
He says, “I had an incredible experience during my incarceration in Uganda. Looking back, even though it was difficult at the time, it was necessary for the situation to occur.
Omah Lay underscores the favorable consequence, claiming that the event strengthened his relationship with Tems and her manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, who also happened to be incarcerated.
He recalls, “We were in Uganda for a show during the pandemic,” detailing the circumstances that led to their apprehension. We had paperwork to complete, but after we finished, we were arrested for an unknown reason. We were also booked into jail. We spent two days incarcerated.
Omah Lay thanks a prison official who enjoyed his music, calling the experience “a very horrible experience.”
They were given preferential treatment in jail as a result of their relationship, saving him from having his hair chopped and enabling a more comfortable stay.
Omah Lay says, “I wore a prison uniform, and they were going to cut my hair.” My music was a big fan of the prison warden, but they were very close to cutting my hair. He looked after us and got us a good place in jail.
