Agencies
Compiled By Markson Omagor
Political Party nomad, Jose Chameleon has been dumped by his latest Party, NUP as flag bearer for Kampala City Mayoral race.
Chameleon, real name Joseph Mayanja was over the weekend told he could not represent NUP in the Mayoral race because his academic qualifications were suspect.
The vetting committee of the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) party instead picked Kawempe North Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Latif Ssebagala to contest for the Kampala mayoral seat.
The team found Mr Sebaggala to be more suitable for the race compared to singer Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleon.
Kyandondo East MP, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is the leader of NUP.
The two were vetted last week to vie for the highest position in the city which is currently occupied by Mr Erias Lukwago who crossed from the Democratic Party to the Forum for Democratic Change.
Sources in the NUP camp say that the singer-cum-politician was dropped after failing to present appropriate academic qualifications which are necessary for nomination by the Independent Electoral Commission.
Sources say, Chameleon presented questionable A level credential and when the team asked him to produce his O level qualifications, he failed.
NUP officials said that Chameleon did not have a national identity card.
The singer reportedly told the vetting team that he had given it to the National Identification and Registration Authority to change his name, which argument was not solid.
On Sunday 20, NUP releases the list for all flag bearers across the country who will be vying for various positions at village, parish, municipality and city level especially in Kampala.
NUP spokesperson, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi could not be reached for a comment. However, the Electoral Management Committee chairperson, Ms Mercy Walukamba said aggrieved aspirants are free to appeal before closure of business on Sunday.
“All aggrieved persons may lodge appeals to the Election Management Committee by dropping them off at the Central Region office located in Lubaga, Kampala. All appeals must be lodged in by September 20, 2020 at 4pm and must state specific grounds on which the appeal is premised,” she said in a statement accompanying the provisional list of candidates.
POLITICAL NOMADISM
Jose Chameleon and his brother Pallaso real names Pius Mayanja on June 27 officially joined the Democratic Party (DP).
According to DP then, Jose Chameleon was going for Kampala Lord Mayor whereas Pallaso MP Kawempe South in the 2021 elections.
The music legend tweeted then appreciating that “I Thank the entire Democratic Party comrades for honouring me this invite to your Headquarters at City House today [Wednesday] evening to discuss the best way we can work together for the beat benefit of our Countrymen and Country at large.”
Shortly afterwards, Chameleon together with 13 MPs from DP crossed to the National Unity Platform.
Chameleon was welcomed to the Kamwokya based party by it’s leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine.
“Allow me to welcome my colleague, buddy and brother Dr Jose Chameleone,” Bobi Wine said amid cheers.
Now after being dumped by NUP, Chameleon has said he will contest as an Independent Candidate.
