Music star Jose Chameleone has confirmed that he and his longtime wife, Daniella Atim, have formally separated, although some legal issues surrounding their divorce are still being resolved in court.
Speaking during an interview on the NBS After5 programme, the singer, whose real name is Joseph Mayanja, said the couple had already signed the necessary divorce documents but that the case remains active because some matters are yet to be concluded.
“I continue to go through divorce but we already signed the papers. We divorced. There are a few things to agree on and I continue to appear in court,” Chameleone said.
Despite the end of their marriage, the musician expressed gratitude to Daniella for the years they spent together and for raising their family.
“I have to thank Daniella for the years she has been with me. She gifted me five beautiful children and I am grateful to her for enduring the journey we stood for years,” he said.
The couple reached an agreement on child custody and maintenance during mediation. Under the arrangement, Chameleone is required to pay 2,000 US dollars (about Shs7.5 million) every month in child support.
Daniella was granted custody of their five children — Abba, Alpha, Amma, Alba and Xara Mayanja — while Chameleone retains visitation rights.
However, the division of the couple’s matrimonial property remains unresolved. The matter was not settled during mediation and will instead be determined by the Family Division of the High Court.
Chameleone and Daniella married in June 2008 at St James Catholic Parish in Kampala and were together for 16 years. Their relationship began to unravel after they started living apart more than five years ago, when Daniella relocated to the United States with their children.
Daniella later filed for divorce, citing desertion, adultery and cruelty. In her court filings, she argued that the marriage had irretrievably broken down due to what she described as Chameleone’s lack of love, care and support.
