We trusted Museveni but he has let us down, says singer Jose Chameleone

Singer Joseph Mayanja, commonly known as Jose Chameleone, has said the country had a lot of trust in President Museveni but noted the trust has been lost.

Chameleone recently joined the Democratic Party (DP) before declaring his intention to contest for the Kampala Lord mayoral race in the 2021 general elections to unseat the incumbent, Erias Lukwago.

Addressing a press conference at the DP headquarters in Kampala on Tuesday, the singer said the country trusted Museveni when he took power in 1986 but noted the trust had been lost.

“This is a new crusade. They branded us thugs but it was because we trusted them and they left us poor. In 1986, I was like 6 or 7 years when they took over and welcomed him(Museveni) as our darling but has let us down and people have lost hope in the country,” the singer said.

“Museveni’s mistakes are for his entire government and allies.”

Chameleone was part of the group of musicians who have been previously linked to the ruling NRM party and President Museveni in particular.

During the 2016 general elections, Chameleone together with other fellow singers canvased for votes for President Museveni and since crossing to DP, he has received a bashing for being a double-edged sword.

Speaking during the Tuesday weekly presser for DP, the singer urged opposition supporters to treat him as one of their own because he is now a changed man.

“I am in this struggle with you and not because of any financial gains. If I wanted money I would have gone to board the bus (NRM) because they have money. I am here to tell you that I am one of you.”

As the singer spoke, veteran politicians including Dr.Abed Bwanika, Kenneth Paul Kakande and Mike Mabikke closely and attentively followed the speech.

Chameleone recently clashed with Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze who asked him to prove he would not be a “chameleon” in his decision to join the Democratic Party.

“Chameleone joining DP should not excite anyone because at one time he announced that he had joined Islam but eventually came back to the Catholic Church. But the onus is on him to prove that the chameleon thing ends with his music,” Nambooze said.

“Becoming a [DP] member, you go through a branch, a certain village and get to join the party from that village and then the National Executive Committee is notified about a new member.”

Additional reporting from Nabukenya Aminah