Who is Jose Chameleone? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, and relationship with Daniella Atim, Gerald, Prossy Mayanja, Pallaso, Weasel and early life of the founder and CEO of the music label, Leone Island Music Empire.
Joseph Mayanja better known by the stage name Jose Chameleone, is Gerald (Father) and Prossy Mayanja
His songs are primarily in Luganda and Swahili and combine elements of Ugandan folk, Afrobeat, zouk, and central African rumba and reggae.
Chameleone is the founder and CEO of the music label, Leone Island Music Empire.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Jose Chameleone’s net worth is estimated to be 8 million US Dollars deeming him one of the richest musicians in Uganda.
Besides the revenue stream from his music, Chameleone owns a music label which has several artists signed under it also increasing his net worth.
Early Life
Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleone was born on 30 April 1979 to Gerald (Father) and Prossy Mayanja (mother) in Kampala district.
He is the fourth born out of eight children.
Douglas Mayanja, his younger brother, is a musician as well, going by the stage name Weasel.
Henry Kasozi, Pius Mayanja, also known as Pallaso, and the late Emmanuel Mayanja, also known as AK47, are his other brothers.
Education Background
Jose Chameleone attended Nakasero Primary School for his primary education.
He then received his secondary education from several schools; starting with Mengo Senior Secondary School, Kawempe Muslim Senior Secondary School and Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School where he finished his O-level studies. While at Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, he composed their anthem.
He then enrolled at Progressive Senior Secondary School for his A-level education.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Chameleone enrolled at Cavendish University to study online for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations and Diplomacy (BIRDS).
He graduated at the 12th Graduation ceremony of Cavendish University Uganda in August 2023.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status /Award |
| Nakasero Primary School | PLE | |
| Katikamu Seventh Day Adventist Senior Secondary School | UCE | |
| 1996 | Progressive Senior Secondary School | UACE |
| 2021 – 2023 | Cavendish University | Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Diplomacy |
Family
The daughter of a prominent local religious person, Daniella Atim, is Jose Chameleone’s wife.
The five children of the couple reside and pursue their education in the United States.
The children are namely; Abba Marcus, Alfa Joseph, Alba Shyne, Amma Christian, Xarsa Amani and Ayla.
Chameleone & Daniella Atim divorce
The long-running relationship between Ugandan music star Jose Chameleone and his wife Daniella Atim has officially come to an end, following years of turbulence and public speculation.
Daniella first filed for divorce in 2017, accusing Chameleone of emotional and physical abuse, as well as excessive alcohol consumption. The couple, however, appeared to patch things up shortly afterwards. But by 2018, Chameleone took to social media to confirm that their marriage was over.
In the years since, Daniella relocated to the United States with their children, and has become increasingly vocal about her personal journey. Through her social media platforms, she has spoken candidly about the challenges she faced during the marriage, using her experience to raise awareness around domestic violence and to advocate for women’s rights.
Career and Professional Work Experience
In 1996, Chameleone started his career as a DJ at Kampala’s Maganjo Mizuri nightclub.
In 1998, he started performing live in Kenya with the Ogopa Deejays. Later, the Kenyan record label released his debut single, “Bageya,” which included Redsan, another singer from Kenya.
In 1999, while living in Kenya, they founded the East African Bashment Crew alongside Bebe Cool and other Kenyan musicians including Nazizi and Wyre (Necessary Noize).
In the early 2000s, Chameleone made his way back to Uganda and founded Leone Island, his music label.
Chameleone has released albums that have sold well in the local market throughout the years, including Mama Mia, Mambo Bado, Jamila, Kipepeo, Bageya, Shida za Dunia, Bayuda, and Njo Karibu.
He put out his debut album in 2000, and as of 2013, he had put out 13 albums. Kipepeo, Shida za dunia, Valu valu, Bayuda, Badilisha, Sweet Banana, and Champion are a few among them.
“Valu valu”, “Jamila”, “Shida za dunia”, Bayuda, “Tatizo”, “Nkwagala nyo”, “Kipepeo”, “Dorotia”, and “Kipepeo” are a few of his popular songs.
Even though his music is well-known throughout Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and other central African countries account for the majority of his admirers and listeners.
In addition, Chameleone has performed across the globe, including tours in the UK, the US, Sweden, Belgium, Malaysia, China, South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, South Sudan, Germany, and Switzerland.
In 2017 and again in March 2023, he made music tours in Australia.
Jose Chameleone’s Songs
Albums
- Bageya (2000)
- Mama Mia (2001)
- Njo Karibu (2002)
- The Golden Voice (2003)
- Mambo Bado (2004)
- Kipepeo (2005)
- Shida za Dunia (2006)
- Sivyo Ndivyo (2007)
- Katupakase (2007)
- Bayuda (2009)
- Vumilia (2010)
- Valu Valu (2012)
- Badilisha (2013)
- Wale Wale (2015)
- Sili Mujawo (2016)
- Sweet Banana, Superstar, Mshamba (2017)
- Champion, Mateeka, Kilabe (2018)
- Tatizo (2018)
- Baliwa, Bolingo ya Nzambe (2020)
- I am Joseph (2021)
Singles
- Wale Wale
- Valu Valu
- Tubonge
- Badilisha
- Kiggwa Leero
- Mateeka
- Champion
- Bayuda
- Kiboko Fire
- Hannah
- Bomboclat
- Jamila
- Dorotia
- Nkoleki
- All Di Girls
- Relaxing
- Going On
- Moto Moto
- Africa Kiboko Yao
- Bei Kali
- Mama Rhoda
- Ndivyo Sivyo
- Only You
- Mama Mia
- Bwerere
- Meeme Katale
- Naumia
- Nekolela Mali
- Shida Za Dunia
- Forever
- Basiima Ogenze
- Gimme Gimme
- Owakabi
Other Career accomplishments
Jose Chameleone is the CEO of the record label Leone Island which has been connected to several big names in Uganda’s music industry. The late Mozey Radio, Weasel, the late AK 47 Mayanja, King Saha, Papa Cidy, Pallaso, Melody Uganda, Yung Mulo, and Big Eye were among the artists connected to this label.
Musician Chameleone successfully organized a concert in February 2023 called “Gwanga Mujje,” which means “let the whole nation attend.”
Chameleone also planned the sold-out “One Man, One Million” charity event at Victoria Hall in Kampala.
Participants had to pay one million Ugandan Shillings to enter the event, which was supported by Janet Museveni, the country’s first lady.
Chameleone was appointed the Busoga Tourism Initiative’s ambassador by Rebecca Kadaga, the former speaker of the Ugandan parliament.
In addition, he is the head of the Chameleone Foundation, which helps underprivileged young people develop their abilities.
Chameleone is part of an alliance of musicians who utilize their notoriety and wealth to fight poverty and raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.
Achai Wiir gave him a brand-new Toyota V8 in 2020, and Mr Toyota gave him a brand-new Range Rover in 2022.
He unsuccessfully sought to become Kampala’s Lord Mayor in the 2021 election.
Achievements and Awards
Throughout his career, Jose Chameleone has won various awards.
He has won two categories in the 2006 Kisima Music Awards as well as multiple Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards). Additionally, he is a nominee for the MOBO Awards and the Kora Awards.
Summary of Jose Chameleone’s Awards
| Year | Award | Category | Status |
| 2003 | Kora Awards | Best East Africa Artist | Nominated |
| 2004 | Pearl of Africa Music Awards | Artiste of the Year & Song of the Year (Jamila) | Won |
| Tanzania Music Awards | Best East African Album (Bei Kali) | Won | |
| Kora Awards | Best East African Male Artist | Nominated | |
| 2005 | Pearl of Africa Music Awards | Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group | Won |
| Best Afro Beat Single (Kipepeo) | Won | ||
| Tanzania Music Awards | Best East African Album (Jamila) | Won | |
| 2006 | Pearl of Africa Music Awards | Best Afro Beat Artiste/Group | Won |
| Kisima Music Awards | Best Ugandan Song (Mama Rhoda) & Best Ugandan Music Video (Mama Rhoda) | Won | |
| MOBO Awards | Best African Act | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Kisima Music Awards | Best Ugandan Song (Sivyo Ndiviyo) | Won |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best African Act | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Tanzania Music Awards | Best East African Song (Valu Valu) | Nominated |
| 2013 | African Entertainment Awards | International Best Male Artist | Won |
| 2014 | HiPipo Music Awards | Song of the Year “Badilisha” | Won |
| Best Male ZOUK Song “Badilisha” | Won | ||
| World Music Awards | World Best Male Artist | Nominated | |
| World Best Live Act | Nominated | ||
| World Best Performer | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) | Song Writer of the Year | Won |
| MTV Africa Music Awards | MAMA Evolution Award | Nominated | |
| 2018 | Galaxy Zzina Music Awards | Legend Award | Won |
Controversies
On February 24, 2023, while the two brothers were singing live on stage, Chameleone approached Weasel and kissed him on the lips.
Chameleone had to publicly apologize after the singers’ performance at the ‘Gwanga Mujje’ concert drew harsh criticism.
He continued by saying that his brother Weasel, who has stayed silent since is also the recipient of this apology.
A similar ruse had been pulled before by Chameleone with his brother Pallaso.
The two gave off an extremely provocative, if not repulsive, vibe while dancing to their new single Bega Bega.
A man suffered burns at Chameleone’s home in December 2012, and he passed away.
The man, according to Chameleone, was an invader who had threatened his family before unintentionally lighting himself on fire with gasoline from a jerry can he was carrying.
The man’s family said that he was burned alive by Chameleone’s group, who then killed him.
Even though the musician was the subject of an ongoing police investigation, no charges were brought against him.
There have been numerous reports of fights between Chameleone and other musicians, including Vampino Elvis, Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool, and his brother Weasel.
Due to these disputes, several musicians—including the majority of Goodlyfe Crew—have departed his label, Leone Island Productions.
Did Chameleone stop drinking alcohol?
Yes. Ugandan music star Jose Chameleone has confirmed he has quit drinking alcohol and smoking.
The singer made the revelation following his return from the United States, where he underwent treatment for acute pancreatitis—an illness he says was brought on by years of heavy drinking.
Speaking about the decision, Chameleone described it as a “second round” in his life, signalling a fresh chapter focused on health and discipline. His remarks were first reported by Lifestyle Uganda in April 2025.
