Ugandan government finally apologizes to Nigeria over Omah Lay, Tems, Awoniyi saga

Uganda’s government, through foreign affairs minister Sam Kutesa, has ‘deeply’ apologized to Nigeria over the arrest and detention of artistes Nigerian singers Stanley Omah Didia alias Omah Lay, Temilade Openyi aka Tems and manager Muyiwa Awomiyi.

Police arrested the trio on December 13 over an illegal concert at Ddungu Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

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They were later arraigned before Makindye Magistrates Court on December 14, charged with doing acts likely to spread an infection disease contrary to section 171 of the Penal Code Act.

Court remanded them to Kigo and Kitalya Prisons until December 16.

Nigerian singers Omah Lay, Tems remanded in Uganda’s Kitalya, Kigo Prisons until Wednesday, December 16

But a day before their expected reappearance in court, the three were released after the state wrote to court and prisons informing them they had dropped charges against the three artistes.

Nigerian singers Omah Lay, Tems & Manager Awoniyi Muyiwa released after Ugandan state dropped charges against them

The charges were dropped following discussions between top ranking ministry of foreign affairs officials from both Uganda and Nigeria.

“We are engaging the Ugandan Authorities at the highest level,” Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister Geoffrey Jideofor Kwusike Onyeama revealed on December 14.

Uganda has since apologized to Nigeria over the arrest and detention of the trio that had caused a social media storm, with top Nigeria stars vowing to boycott next year’s MAMAs in Uganda.

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Minister Kutesa delivered Kampala’s apologies to his Nigerian counterpart Onyeama.

“Earlier today [December 15], the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa got back to me to inform with deep apologies on behalf of the Government of Uganda, the release of Omah Lay, Tems and Awoniyi,” wrote Onyeama.

Earlier today, the Ugandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa got back to me to inform with deep apologies on behalf of the Government of Uganda, the release of @Omah_Lay, @temsbaby and @IAmDonawon. @GovUganda @UgandaMFA

— Geoffrey Onyeama (@GeoffreyOnyeama) December 15, 2020