Weasel urges Abba to stop criticising father

Abba Marcus Mayanja has been critical of his father and those around him following his hospitalisation for what he said was down to alcohol abuse

Singer Douglas Mayanja, commonly known as Weasel, has advised Abba Marcus Mayanja, the son of legendary musician Jose Chameleone, to hush his criticism of his ailing father.

Last week, Abba, 19, sparked a social media talking when he publicly criticized his father's lifestyle choices.

In response to his father's hospitalisation last week, reportedly due to pancreatitis and malaria, Abba claimed that his father's condition was a result of his inability to stop drinking alcohol, despite doctors' recommendations.

However, in a recent interview, Weasel suggested that Abba should have taken the time to understand the reasons behind his father's drinking habits before passing judgment.

Weasel mentioned the issue of alcohol but questioned how an alcoholic could remember to pay Abba's school fees worth $20,000 (about Shs73 million).

"The person you are calling an alcoholic has funded all your education for years, taken you to the US, and bought you a home there, while still managing to cover all the bills—it's painful because that's his father. I love you, Abba, but please stop," he said.

Weasel pointed out that Abba is speaking from a place of inexperience and noted that what has happened to Chameleone could happen to anyone.

'It's fortunate that he's in America. As he matures and becomes a father himself, he will likely come to understand what his own father has been dealing with.

"However, he is still very young, and we need to give him the chance to grow,' Weasel added.

Chameleone, one of East Africa's most renowned musicians, has struggled with health issues reportedly related to substance use for many years.

Last week, in an emotional appeal, Abba urged fans to rally together and help his father overcome these challenges.

“This isn’t a call to justify substance dependence, but a plea for help. We need to come together if we want to keep him in our family,” Abba said.

On Monday, Chameleon was discharged from Nakasero Hospital, where he had been admitted for the last 11 days.

He was then flown abroad to receive additional treatment at Allina Health Mercy Hospital in the US.

In a statement issued on the same day, Chameleon announced that he would be spending this festive season away from performing for the first time in his career.

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the promoters who have consistently believed in me and to the fans who have always shown up to support me. Unfortunately, I’ll be taking a temporary break from performing until I’ve made a full recovery,” he said.