Raining music at Tubonge show

It is an African belief that rain is a blessing and Jose Chameleone was blessed to kick off his Tubonge concert amidst a downpour. His fans, in a show of loyalty, stayed put, singing and chanting to their star’s music, for two hours.

At his shows, fashion is one of Chameleone’s signature statements - this time he turned up dressed like a Roman empire warrior, complete with a metallic vest and helmet. For footwear he had Aladin shoes.

In joy and ecstasy he started his performance, running from one end of the stage to another. Amidst all this, he took a moment to announce that he had declared a war on foreign music.

“In the 1990s I fought Congolese music and we drove it out of Uganda. Today, I am starting a war on Nigerian music. I have so many deejays who are my friends but I have no respect for those who keep playing and promoting Nigerian music,” he said amidst ululations from fans at Lugogo Cricket Oval.

In 120 minutes on stage, he took a moment to play the saxophone, playing Whitney Houston’s I’ll Always Love You - proof that he is a musician and not merely a singer.

His performance covered songs from his musical discography, spanning 14 albums. He did songs like Kipepeo, Bayuda, Jamilla, Vumilia, Sivyo Ndivyo, which he did with Professor Jay, Gimme Gimme, Valu Valu, Badilisha and Tubonge, among others.

He explained to fans that he is redoing some of his music videos because he is going international. “If we can buy expensive cars, then we can do good videos,” he said as some of his new videos like Valu Valu and Give Me, played on the stage projector.

He took time to give his son Apha chance to perform a rap song. “If I don’t give him a chance then who will,” a smiley Chameleone said.
It rained and stopped and fans braved it all, covering themselves with chairs, while others cared less about the weather. They were out to enjoy the show and Chamelone did not disappoint.

He had good stage presence, charm and delivery. One of his outstanding moments was with Swahili Nation with whom he did Pole, Kenso and their big hit Mpenzi to which fans sang along. Tanzania’s TID was in the house too and Chameleone introduced him later on. Goodlyfe, Bobi Wine, Ziza Bafana, The Lutaayas (Irene Namatovu and Geoffrey Lutaaya), Big Eye, Fille and Khalifah also performed.

Chameleone bowed out, a satisfied musician who he had attracted a good crowd and had given it his best, yet he says he is only getting started, on his international musical journey.

URA MAKES SWOOP
Car impounded: On Friday, the day Jose Chameleone held his concert, Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) went to the concert venue, Lugogo Cricket Oval, demanding that the artiste pays his outstanding taxes. His car, a Cadillac Escalade was impounded.

The figures: “They sent me a letter informing me that they had made an assessment of Shs30m because I had not submitted income tax returns for 2012 and 2013,” Chameleone says, adding that there is another Shs4m as VAT arrears.

Promises to pay: The singer says he is a law abiding citizen who pays taxes. “I am not declining to pay. There is no need to use military and impound my car. I have been paying. I am not trying to confront URA but I have a right to complaint. I condemn the way in which they confronted me,” Chameleone added.