KAMPALA – Singer Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone has apologized to the public after a video circulating on social media showed him engaged in a bitter exchange with staff of Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) who wanted to look at documents of his car.
URA enforcement staff intercepted Chameleone near Mengo on his way to studios of BBS TV on Easter Sunday.
The singer, who has since announced that he intends to run for the Kampala mayoral seat in 2021, said that whereas he felt that URA was intercepting him at a wrong time, the exchange was uncalled for.
Below is his statement
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STATEMENT ON MY RECENT IMPASSE WITH URA
Dear all,
The media is awash with news and videos circulating, involving myself and the URA enforcement officers. Let me make some clarifications.
1. On 12th April – Easter Sunday, while enroute to BBS TV, I was intercepted by the URA enforcement at the entrance of Masengere.
2. It was less than 15 minutes to my appearance on the live TV show – EASTER CAMUKA – to which I later appeared. Because of the anxiety at that moment, I got engaged in a regretabble exchange with the URA team.
3. The URA team demanded for papers of my car (which were not in with me at time), and I felt it could have waited, the rest is history.
I wish to state, that as a person, in my celebrity capacity and as a leader, I have values I stand for, and I get disappointed every time I fail on them, just like that time.Therefore, for all of you my people who felt that I fell below your expectations, I’m sorry. I’m just human.
4. On 13th April, 2020 – Easter Monday – we handed over the car to URA for scrutiny as requested and have assured them cooperation of our highest regard in their process of scrutiny.
5. To enable this, I and my team are in contact with the URA to ensure that this impasse is resolved emicably and all dues are paid accordingly after verification and assessment.
6. Many people are concerned about the back ground voice in the Video as my car was being taken for verification that seem to sound like my friend, Balaam’s voice. I’ve played and replayed the video, and I think I will make a statement after a word with Balaam to understand his actions. For now, I can only say that as a key player in the music industry, he should be more careful next time.
7. Lastly, I assure you, all my fans and supporters, that I’m fine and enduring the lockdown. Let’s be calm, and continue observing the regulations as given by the World health organization and government. In the mean time I will continue working on more great Music.
May God Bless you.
Mayanja.
15 / April / 2020