Singer Eddy Kenzo has paid tribute to fellow musician Jose Chameleone, describing him as one of the pioneers who gave Ugandan popular music confidence, direction and a market beyond the country’s borders.
Kenzo, who serves as President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) and Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives, shared the tribute on Facebook, calling on the music industry to recognise and appreciate its pioneers while they are still alive.
He said Chameleone’s contribution to Ugandan music goes beyond his songs, awards and years in the industry, noting that he belongs to a generation that helped establish Uganda’s identity within the East African music scene.
“Today, I want to give mine to Dr. Jose Chameleone,” Kenzo wrote.
According to Kenzo, Chameleone helped demonstrate that Ugandan musicians could attract audiences across East Africa while remaining connected to their roots.
He noted that Chameleone’s music crossed borders into Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among other places, helping audiences outside Uganda connect with the country through music.
“That is cultural diplomacy,” Kenzo said.
As a fellow musician, Kenzo praised Chameleone’s ability to connect with audiences through melody, emotion, language and performance.
He also highlighted Chameleone’s wider contribution to the music ecosystem, saying many artists who came after him found opportunities along a path that pioneers like him had helped create.
“Many artists who came after his generation found a road that pioneers like Dr. Chameleone had already helped to open,” Kenzo said.
He added that Chameleone helped young Ugandans believe that music could become a serious profession and that local artists could build careers capable of reaching audiences beyond Uganda.
Kenzo also credited Chameleone for creating opportunities for people working around music, including instrumentalists, producers, managers, promoters and technicians.
Beyond his musical achievements, Kenzo praised Chameleone’s role in bringing artists together during moments when the industry needs unity.
“Our industry will always have competition. We shall disagree. We shall belong to different generations, associations, management structures and artistic schools. But music must remain bigger than any one of us,” he said.
Kenzo further described Chameleone as a cultural asset to Uganda, saying artists play an important role in representing the country internationally alongside diplomacy, politics, tourism and sport.
He concluded by telling Chameleone that no serious account of modern Ugandan music could be complete without acknowledging his contribution.
“Mr. Joseph Mayanja, generations will interpret our era differently, but no serious account of modern Ugandan music can be complete without your name and contribution,” Kenzo wrote.
He encouraged Chameleone to continue using his experience and influence to build bridges within the creative industry and guide younger musicians.
“From one musician to another, from UNMF, and from my responsibility in serving Uganda’s creative sector: I salute you, Dr. Jose Chameleone,” Kenzo said.
He ended the tribute by celebrating Chameleone for his music, courage, influence and role in carrying Uganda’s identity beyond its borders.
“Cheers to Kamiliyoooni!” Kenzo concluded.