Security cancels Chameleone’s concert after protests by locals
Tooro Local Parliament Group speaker John Kaguma (L) and his deputy Alfred Kagoro speak to journalists in Fort Portal on Tuesday. PHOTO BY RUTH KATUSABE
What you need to know:
A section of Fort Portal residents accuse the singer of having a hand in the death of Robert Karamagi who was a Mutoro.
KABAROLE. Security officials in Fort Portal have suspended Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone’s concert that was slated for this weekend.
This follows protests by a group of locals who have been mobilising people to boycott Chameleone’s show.
The protesters accuse the musician of having a hand in the death of Robert Karamagi, who was burnt in the musician’s compound. Karamagi hailed from Tooro.
“We have advised the organisers to halt the show and postpone it until Chameleone’s security is guaranteed, as per now, the show will not take place this weekend,” said police spokesman for Rwenzori sub-region Bakari Muga.
Karamagi was reportedly killed inside Chameleone’s home in Seguku, a Kampala suburb, in December. But Chameleone’s wife, Daniella, has since said Karamagi torched himself as he tried to burn her.
Radio stations in the district were since last week running adverts for the concert that was scheduled to take place at Garden’s Restaurant on Saturday.
Posters flagging Chameleone and other singers paint the streets promoting the concert dubbed Moto Moto, Akasiki ka Easter weekend.
Mr Mugisa Herbert, the LC III chairperson for South Division in Fort Portal Municipality, also a member of the local parliament, said he would ask the local radio stations, proprietors of night clubs and music libraries to ban Chameleone’s songs with immediate effect.
Alfred Kagoro, programmes director at Fort Portal-based Better FM said: “All the presenters have been asked not to play Chameleone’s songs with immediate effect, we cannot continue supporting him when he is a problem to the Tooro community.”
Allegations
Some versions of the story allege that Karamagi was tied with ropes and burnt, but the singers wife claims Karamagi tried to pour fuel on her, but accidentally poured it on himself and set himself a blaze as he tried to start a fire.
Chameleone reported the matter to police and Karamagi was taken to Mulago hospital where he later died of severe burns.
The deceased’s father, Maj. Benedict Kyamanywa, who reported to the police, claimed that his son was tied and set ablaze. The Directorate of Public Prosecutions will soon decide whether or not singer Jose Chameleone has a case to answer in the death of Robert Karamagi after police finalised its investigations in February.
