Ugandan musician Bebe Cool has publicly denied allegations that he played a role in the 2020 arrest of Nigerian artists Tems and Omah Lay in Uganda.

In a recent episode of the Afrobeats podcast, Bebe Cool addressed the long-standing rumors, clarifying that he was not responsible for their detention. The incident took place in December 2020, when Tems and Omah Lay were arrested and detained for performing at a concert in Uganda despite COVID-19 social distancing regulations.

At the time, Tems took to social media, accusing Bebe Cool of being behind their arrest. However, the singer has now spoken out to set the record straight.

"I didn’t get Tems and Omah Lay arrested in Uganda," Bebe Cool said. "It's very difficult when the internet picks up a story in a certain direction."

Bebe Cool’s Account of the Incident

The Ugandan artist revealed that he was not involved in the planning of the arrest but took action once he heard about it. According to him, he was asleep when a friend called him at 3 a.m. to inform him that the two Nigerian artists had been detained. Upon learning the details, Bebe Cool immediately made calls and went to the police station early the next morning.

He explained that he spoke with the District Police Commander (DPC), questioning the rationale behind the arrests, especially since the artists weren’t in charge of the concert's attendee numbers, which violated COVID-19 guidelines.

Despite his efforts to speak up for the artists, Bebe Cool explained that the show promoter—who was also arrested—accused him of being the one responsible for the arrest. This, according to him, stemmed from previous tensions between Ugandan artists and the government. Many Ugandan artists had been banned from performing for over a year due to COVID-19 restrictions, and there were complaints that foreign artists like Tems and Omah Lay were allowed to perform while locals were restricted.

Bebe Cool said that he was instrumental in ensuring the release of the two Nigerian stars, contrary to reports that Nigeria's ambassador had been the one who facilitated their release.

A Complicated Situation with Complex Dynamics

Bebe Cool’s denial offers a new perspective on a situation that has long been shrouded in controversy. His actions at the time, particularly his calls to the police and his interactions with the DPC, suggest that he may have been trying to help resolve the situation, rather than cause it.

However, the show promoter’s accusations, combined with Uganda’s growing tensions between local artists and the government over restrictions, certainly complicated the matter.

A Step Toward Healing or More Divisions?

While Bebe Cool’s clarifications may clear his name, the broader issues surrounding the treatment of foreign artists in Uganda and the strained relationship between local and international performers remain unresolved.

The 2020 arrest of Tems and Omah Lay was a highly publicized incident that brought attention to the challenges faced by African artists during the pandemic. As African countries navigate the post-pandemic recovery in the entertainment industry, it’s crucial to foster better communication and mutual respect between local and foreign artists, as well as between the entertainment industry and government.

The incident also highlights the power of social media in shaping narratives, where accusations can spread quickly without full context. Ultimately, this episode serves as a reminder of the complexity of celebrity dynamics, even within the African music scene, and the importance of understanding the full picture before jumping to conclusions.

Will Bebe Cool’s latest statements mend the relations between him, Tems, Omah Lay, and their fans? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the Ugandan entertainment scene is likely to continue evolving as artists and authorities seek to find common ground.