Ugandan fashion designer and model, Doreen Kabareebe, recently opened up about the challenges she faced following a controversial photo that surfaced over 12 years ago with Jose Chameleone.
The photo in question, captured by the media, showed Kabareebe embracing renowned Ugandan singer, Jose Chameleone, while wearing a short white dress. As she reached to hug him, her buttocks were unintentionally exposed.
The image quickly spread through tabloids and became front-page news, triggering a media storm that would haunt Kabareebe for years.
In an interview with Kaiyz, Kabareebe revealed how the photo tarnished her reputation and led to relentless scrutiny in Uganda. “I went to Dubai because that photo with Chameleone was ruining my life. Every morning I was in the Red Paper, The Onion, and all the other tabloids… every day they carried the same picture with my bums exposed,” she said.
Also Read: Photos: ‘Bare-butted’ Kabarebe Doreen flashes yellow thighs on a Boda Boda.
The widespread circulation of the photo caused distress not only for her but also for her family, especially her father, who struggled with the negative attention. Kabareebe’s initial plan was to leave the country and relocate to the United States, where she hoped to pursue a Master’s degree. However, her ambitions were derailed when she applied for a visa.
To her dismay, at the U.S. embassy, the visa officer held a copy of the Red Pepper featuring the controversial photo. This incident marked a low point in her life as her visa was denied, forcing her to reconsider her options.
With her path to the U.S. blocked, Kabareebe moved to the Middle East, settling first in Dubai. While in Dubai, she took on a job at Dunkin’ Donuts for six months before eventually finding work at the Marriott Hotel in Abu Dhabi, where she spent two years trying to rebuild her life, away from the media’s relentless focus.
She then met her current American husband and finally relocated to the USA.
