Bebe Cool Denies Orchestrating Tems and Omah Lay's Arrest in Uganda: "I Was Their Savior, Not Their Saboteur"

Image: DP

Ugandan music icon Bebe Cool has come forward to debunk long-standing rumors that he was behind the arrest of Nigerian stars Tems and Omah Lay during their 2020 concert in Uganda.

The incident, which saw the artists detained for violating COVID-19 social distancing rules, has been a point of contention since Tems publicly accused Bebe Cool of being the mastermind behind their legal troubles.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Afrobeats podcast, Bebe Cool clarified his role in the dramatic events of December 12, 2020, at Speke Resort in Kampala. He recounted waking up to a call at 3 am informing him of the arrests and then immediately taking action to help resolve the situation.

"I didn’t get Tems and Omah Lay arrested in Uganda," Bebe Cool stated emphatically. He explained that upon learning of the arrests, he went to the police station at 6 am to speak directly with the DPC (Divisional Police Commander), advocating for the artists' release by pointing out that they were not responsible for managing the crowd size or event logistics.

Bebe Cool further revealed the complexities of the situation, including how local Ugandan artists, including himself, had been protesting against the government's restrictive performance policies. His viral tweets advocating for local artists to be allowed to perform under similar conditions as the Nigerian visitors were misinterpreted, leading to the false narrative of his involvement in the arrest.

The singer also addressed the misconception about the role of the Nigerian ambassador in securing Tems and Omah Lay's release, claiming he was the one who tirelessly worked behind the scenes to negotiate their freedom. He noted how the event promoter, also arrested, wrongly accused him of orchestrating the arrests due to perceived favoritism towards the Nigerian artists.

This revelation by Bebe Cool not only clears his name but also sheds light on the intricate dynamics between artists, event promoters, and law enforcement in the context of public health regulations. As the dust settles on this saga, the music community is left to reflect on the lessons learned from the intersection of art, policy, and international collaboration.

Source: DP

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