KAMPALA – Artiste Joseph Mayanja, aka Jose Chameleone, was on Tuesday, July 16, momentarily arrested shortly after addressing his maiden press conference a week after he was unveiled as a mobiliser of Democratic Party (DP).
Shortly after addressing journalists, Chameleone attempted to walk through Nakasero Market and downtown Kampala, greeting and waving to supporters.
However, he was immediately arrested by police and taken to Kampala Central Police Station. He was later whisked off to his home at breakneck speed by police.
Kampala Metropoltan Deputy Police spokesman Luke Owoyesigyire said Chameleone was becoming a public nuisance by disrupting public order.
Earlier at the press conference, the singer said he is joining politics to oust President Yoweri Museveni whom he said has betrayed the country. Chameleone he is ready to defend the country’s ideals of democracy.
“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. Museveni’s mistakes are for his entire government and allies,” he said on Tuesday.
Chameleone, who has declared his intention to contest for the Kampala Lord mayoral race in the 2021 general elections to unseat the incumbent Erias Lukwago, also said he is not in the race for money.
“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. I’m a Ugandan with rights to identify with the oppressed or the oppressor. I have decided to identify with the oppressed,” he added.
The artiste, who was franked by senior DP bloc members Dr.Abed Bwanika, Kenneth Paul Kakande and Mike Mabikke, among others, also vowed to woo more youth at the grassroots to the party.
He also said he has not received any notification from police about blocking his music shows but said he is ready for anything.
