Nigerian superstar Tems has broken her silence after a fan asked why she has never returned to Uganda following her dramatic arrest four years ago.
During a Q&A session on Tuesday, November 25, a fan posed, “What’s the lore behind you not coming to Uganda? #AskTems.”
Tems replied with a direct message, sharing a screenshot of a headline that read, “Nigerian singer Tems appearing before court in Uganda.”
The post served as a reminder of the ordeal she endured in the country.
https://t.co/N49EKb4Da0 pic.twitter.com/Z31l1ArkGJ
— TEMS (@temsbaby) November 25, 2025
The Grammy-winning singer has previously spoken about the experience. In 2023, Tems opened up about being detained and spending two nights in a Ugandan prison, describing the moment as “so scary.”
She also shared more details during an interview on Angie Martinez’s show, recounting the chaotic events during her December 2020 show in Uganda.
https://t.co/N49EKb4Da0 pic.twitter.com/Z31l1ArkGJ
— TEMS (@temsbaby) November 25, 2025
The concert was said to have violated COVID-19 social distancing rules, though Tems maintained that her team believed all permits were in order and that the situation felt orchestrated.
She revealed that trouble began soon after the performance. While eating with her manager at their hotel, several men not in uniform knocked on their door and ordered them to follow without much explanation. Her manager went first, but the men later returned to take Tems as well.
The singer remembered the fear and confusion that followed. She said she did not know what would happen and genuinely feared she might never be released.
https://t.co/N49EKb4Da0 pic.twitter.com/Z31l1ArkGJ
— TEMS (@temsbaby) November 25, 2025
During her two nights in jail, Tems said she tried to understand why she had been detained and even questioned whether she was meant to support the women and children she met there.
The experience stayed with her. On December 13, 2021, Tems posted on X marking the anniversary of her arrest, writing, “This very day last year, I was sitting in prison in Uganda bonding with women and kids. I almost can’t believe the things I’ve seen so far. All I can say is God is too awesome and He will always have the last and final laugh.”