JOSE CHAMELEONE Biography • Ugandan Musician & East African Music Legend Birth name Joseph Mayanja Born 30 April 1979 Birthplace Kampala, Uganda Profession Musician, songwriter, performer Genres Afrobeat, reggae, ragga, zouk, rumba Languages Luganda, English and Swahili Record label Leone Island Records Early Life and Education Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone, was born on 30 April 1979 in Kampala, Uganda, to Gerald and Prossy Mayanja. He is the fourth of eight children. He attended Nakasero Primary School, Mengo Secondary School, Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, Katikamu SDA Secondary School and Progressive Secondary School. His family had strong musical connections, and his father was associated with the Nsambya Boys Band. Beginning of His Music Career Chameleone became involved in entertainment from a young age and began his professional career in the 1990s, including work as a DJ in Kampala. He later moved to Kenya and became associated with Ogopa DJs. His early recording “Bageya,” featuring Kenyan artist Redsan, helped introduce him to a wider East African audience. Breakthrough His first album, Bageya, was released around 2000, followed by successful projects including Mama Mia, Njo Karibu, The Golden Voice, Mambo Bado and Kipepeo. His music combined Ugandan folk influences with Central African rumba, zouk, reggae and ragga, helping establish him as one of East Africa’s major performers. Major Music Career Over the years, Chameleone released numerous albums and hit songs, including Shida za Dunia, Sivyo Ndivyo, Katupakase, Bayuda, Vumilia, Valu Valu, Badilisha, Tubonge, Wale Wale, Sili Mujjawo, Sweet Banana and Champion. His songs have been performed across Uganda, Kenya and other African countries, as well as internationally. Leone Island Chameleone founded Leone Island Records and became its leading figure. The label and its wider musical circle have been associated with artists including Radio and Weasel, AK47, King Saha, Pallaso,

Papa Cidy, Melody, Yung Mulo and Big Eye. Awards and Recognition Chameleone has received major recognition in Uganda and East Africa. Among his early awards were Pearl of Africa Music Awards honours, including Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as recognition for “Kipepeo.” He has also been associated with Kisima Music Awards and other regional and international nominations. Influence and Legacy Jose Chameleone is widely regarded as one of the most influential Ugandan musicians of his generation. His long career, multilingual songwriting, energetic live performances and cross-border popularity have contributed significantly to the growth of Uganda’s modern popular music scene. Selected Discography 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) • Tubonge (2014) • Wale Wale (2015) • Sili Mujjawo (2016) • Sweet Banana (2017) • Champion (2018). Sources Compiled from publicly available biographical material from New Vision, Pulse Uganda, Sauti za Busara and other reference sources. Some biographical sources differ on minor dates or details; this PDF follows the most consistently reported information.