Stanley Omah Didia and Temilade Openyi otherwise known as Omah Lay and Tems respectively, have been arrested by the Ugandan police for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines by performing at sold out concerts.
This arrest came shortly after their performance at a show in Kampala called The Big Brunch on Saturday. The police represented by Luk Owoyesigyire, the Superintendent of Police, broke the news confirming their arrest on Twitter yesterday.
According to him, the manager of the venue where the concert held, the events manager, Ms Tems’ manager, as well as three police men in the area including the area officer, were all arrested.
The police officers particularly were arrested for failing to notice the abuse of COVID-19 protocols and protect their area from it. The official release of the Ugandan police further stated that
“Preliminary investigation indicates that they connived with area police officers, who guarded the illegal event.”
All the suspects are detained at Katwe Police Station in Kampala as their files are being processed so that they can appear in court,’’ their statement partly read.
According to them, the individuals are being detained for “acts that are likely to cause the spread of infectious disease Covid-19”.
Following the outbreak of coronavirus in Uganda, the country’s Ministry of Health issued guidelines suspending concerts attended by revellers in order to stop the spread of the deadly virus, and these guidelines still stand
The Ugandan police also condemned the acts of the suspects who they described as selfish individuals ‘‘bent on violating the directives on COVID-19 with the purpose of making money while risking the lives of many Ugandans.”
The show held at a time when political rallies of more than 200 people and churches in Uganda were restricted to 100 people.
The concert has also been widely condemned by Ugandans artists, some who displayed jealousy at the fact that “foreigners” sold out concerts in their own country, as well as other concerned citizens.
Omah Lay and Tems are fast rising artists who have released popular hit singles since they both broke into the musical industry and as such, are very popular figures on the musical scene home and abroad.
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