Jose Chameleone campaign office launch teargassed, singer claims hurt

Singer and Kampala Lord Mayor hopeful, Joseph Mayanja has reportedly been hurt as police fired teargas to disperse crowds that had came to witness his new political office launch on Balintuma road in Mengo.

Mayanja also known as Jose Chameleone was also expected to launch his own election campaign team at around midday, but police asked the crowds that had gathered to leave the place, they declined, prompting the police to fire tear gas.

Speaking to NBS Television in a phone call, the singer cum politician said that his left leg had been injured in the process.

"I am receiving treatment. My left leg has been injured," Mayanja said.

In a tweet on his verified Twitter handle, Mayanja asked what crime he committed in trying to launch his office.

"Our office launch has been interrupted. So we planned to also launch my task force that will hand in hand work with me to the coming Lord Mayor elections. Question is What is our crime?" he wondered.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed the incident and said two suspects have been arrested and detained at Old Kampala Police Station on charges of disobedience of lawful orders.

Onyango said that they talked to organisers of the launch to put in place all the necessary SOPs of the Ministry of Health something they refused to adhere to.

Onyago said, "This was going to be a breeding ground for Covid-19. We talked to them again and they decided to leave the venue but later on they reorganised and came attacking police. We responded by firing teargas to disperse them,"

Onyango however said that there were no injuries sustained by anyone in the process and that police did not fire bullets.