‘I Was Asleep!’ – Bebe Cool Speaks Out On Tems And Omah Lay’s Arrest Drama

‘I Was Asleep!’ – Bebe Cool Speaks Out On Tems And Omah Lay’s Arrest Drama

Ugandan musician Bebe Cool has refuted claims that he played a role in the 2020 arrest of Nigerian artists Tems and Omah Lay.

According to Ireporteronline, the duo was detained in Uganda after performing at a concert at Speke Resort, Kampala, on December 12, 2020, despite COVID-19 restrictions at the time. They were subsequently charged and held in prison.……READ MORE 

Following their release, Tems accused Bebe Cool of being responsible for their arrest. However, during a recent episode of the Afrobeats Podcast, Bebe Cool denied the allegations, stating:

“I didn’t get Tems and Omah Lay arrested in Uganda. The internet often takes stories in a certain direction. I was asleep around 3 AM when a friend called to inform me about their arrest. After gathering details, I started making calls. By 6 AM, I went to the police station and spoke to the District Police Commander (DPC), who confirmed their detention.”

Bebe Cool explained that he questioned the rationale behind their arrest, emphasizing that artists were not responsible for regulating event attendance. He also mentioned that Ugandan artists were frustrated at the time, as they had been banned from performing for over a year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We were upset that Tems and Omah Lay were allowed to perform while we, Ugandan artists, couldn’t. Many of us took to social media to demand equal treatment. Because I tweeted about it, my post went viral, which led to accusations against me.”

He clarified that he advocated for the release of the two Nigerian musicians but did not intervene on behalf of the show promoter, which may have fueled misunderstandings.

Bebe Cool further revealed that while he was at the police headquarters trying to resolve the issue, he learned that Tems and Omah Lay had already been taken to court.

“I called the DPC and asked why they proceeded without waiting for my discussion with the senior officer. He explained that after I left, the promoter boasted about her connections to the president, which complicated matters.”

The controversy surrounding their arrest remains a widely debated topic, but Bebe Cool maintains that he had no direct role in their detention.