‘I was treated like a common thief’ — Omah Lay narrates ordeal in Uganda

Omah Lay, a fast-rising Nigerian singer, has described his ordeal in Uganda as the “toughest time of my life,” saying that he was “treated like a common thief”.

we earlier reported how the ‘Damn’ crooner and Tems, a fellow singer, who were earlier detained in the east-African country for flouting COVID-19 protocols, had arrived in Nigeria on Thursday — a few days after they regained freedom.

Shortly after his arrival, Omah Lay took to his Twitter page to appreciate everyone who reached out to him during the period of his arrest and those who worked toward his release from jail.

In a series of tweets, the ‘What Have We Done’ crooner described his experience in Uganda as some of the toughest of his life.

The 23-year-old also alleged that he was treated like a “common thief” in Uganda, adding that he wouldn’t wish such treatment on anyone.

“The past few days have been some of the toughest of my life that I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. Out in a new country with some beautiful people, the next thing I’m being treated like a common thief,” he wrote.

“First off I want to thank all the amazing fans that came out to see me in Uganda, the smiles on your happy faces that evening would be one of my happiest memories.

“Also I wanna clarify that putting you in harms way was never my intentions. Before we came out to Uganda, the show promoters confirmed and proved to us they’d secured all the clearances which of course included Covid 19 compliance.

“At that point, my sole obligation became to make myself available to be taken to the venue and entertain, which I did in the full glance and protection of the Ugandan police.

“Secondly, to my mom, my family, my team, my fans, friends that I caused sleepless nights waiting and praying for me, I apologize for putting you through all that;

“…on the other hand I can’t thank you enough, I damned near lost my mind but your prayers and messages kept me going! Thank you so much!

“Finally, big THANK YOU to everyone for your efforts, prayers, messages, tweets (Damn! Y’all went hard!).

“Big shout out to the musicians, the celebrities, fans (Again and againFolded hands), my family, my friends, my Label, The Nigerian Mission in Uganda, The Presidency, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madam Abike. Thank you all so much!

“I have put this behind me and back to what I know how to do best. One Africa Raised fistOmah is home!”

Omah Lay and Tems were arrested alongside four other Ugandans over their involvement in an unauthorised concert that held on December 12, in Ddungu Resort in Munyonyo, Kampala City.

They were subsequently remanded in police custody after they were arraigned before a court.

Their detention had generated a lot of heated controversies on social media platforms with many Nigerians calling for their immediate release.