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Omah Lay and Tems have been arraigned to court in Uganda.

December 14, 2020 No Comments

Nigerian singers, Omah Lay and Tems have been arraigned before the Makindye Division court in Kampala for flouting COVID-19 guidelines in Uganda.

The fast-rising stars were on Sunday December 13, arrested together with their managers for holding an illegal concert at Ddungu resort in Munyonyo where they gathered big crowds, contrary to President Museveni’s directives on the prevention of the spread of Covid-19.

It was gathered that the organizers of the event disguised the show as a lunch and dinner event but it turned out to be a concert with large crowd in attendance.

Omah Lay, Tems, and the others were arrested and charged with doing “acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease, Covid-19,” according to him Assistant Superintendent of Police and Deputy Police Spokesperson, Luk Owoyesigyire, Kampala Metropolitan Police.
Earlier in March, Museveni banned all music concerts, closed down bars, banned fans at all sporting events, and reduced the numbers of people who could attend church services.

Uganda’s Ministry of Health on Sunday reported 461 new confirmed coronavirus cases, taking the total number of cases in the country to 27,532.

Omah Lay via his tweets disclosed the following;

Yes I’m with the Ugandan police… something about the show from last night. Everything would be fine…

Omah ?

I’m in cuffs in Uganda right now with Tems.

I’m just a singer trying to entertain, why am I being set up in Uganda?

I didn’t organize a show, I came on stage and saw teeming fans and sang to them…

Why am I being detained? Why am I not been given a right to a fair hearing?

Why is Uganda not letting @NigeriaMFA step into this? They have been trying to secure our release to no avail.

Is there something bigger at play in Uganda? Why do I have to take the fall for it???

Following hours of pressure from several Ugandan entertainers, Katwe Police has arrested Nigerian artiste Omah Lay for charges related to violating Covid-19 guidelines on entertainment.

Also in custody is Ivan Dungu, the manager of the venue which hosted Omah Lay’s concert that has since raised dissatisfaction from several Ugandans.

This was confirmed by Assistance Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire on his Twitter account, saying, ” Nigerian artiste Omah has been arrested by Katwe Police. The manager of the venue, Dungu Ivan and event promoter, Prima Kasana, are also in custody,” confirmed Owoyesigyire on Twitter.

Here is the full statement from the Uganda Police Force

Three people have been arrested in connection to the unauthorised concert that was held last night in Ddungu Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala City.

Those arrested are Ivan Ddungu, the manager of the place where the concert was held, Omah Lay the musician and Prim Kasana, Events Manager, who contracted Omah Lay to sing.

Police is also looking for the area Officer in Charge of Police Station for failure to detect the criminal acts that took place in his area of jurisdiction.

It is alleged that the organizers of the show disguised it as a lunch and dinner event, but later on at night they started inviting artistes to perform.

The suspects are detained at Katwe Police Station and are being charged with doing acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease, which is corona virus.

On the onset of the COVID19 pandemic, the president directed that music concerts should be stopped and the directives still stands.

We condemn the act of some selfish individuals, who are bent on violating the directives on CONVID-19 to make money and risks the lives of many Ugandans.

We appeal to members of the public to adhere to the Ministry of Health guidelines on COVID-19 and follow all the SOPs.