Chameleone in-laws back wife to divorce
IN-laws of singer Jose Chameleone have supported his wife’s departure after he converted to Islam.
By Herbert Ssempogo, Bashir
Kibuuka and Pidson Kareire
IN-laws of singer Jose Chameleone have supported his wife’s departure after he converted to Islam.
Stressing that they respect Islam, Ronald Katwalo, who made a statement on behalf of Fr. John Scalabrin, said they are Catholics and as such would not accept Chameleone’s new faith.
Scalabrin, a Catholic priest based in Bbiina, a Kampala suburb, is an uncle to Daniella Atim, the estranged wife of Chameleone.
Chameleone’s decision to convert to Islam sent shock waves through Daniella’s family.
“We do not want people to get it wrong. We respect Muslims. And just like there are Muslims, who are strong in their faith, we are also strong Catholics. You will never hear a Muslim converting because of a woman. It is the same thing here. We are Catholics from generation to generation,†Katwalo stated.
The family, Katwalo warned, would not just look on as Daniella, wed in a Catholic church in 2008, is compelled to join Islam.
Dressed in full Muslim garb, the musician, accompanied by fellow artistes Haruna Mubiru, a Muslim and Sulaiman Grace Ssekamatte (a recent convert to Islam), on Friday went to Kibuli Mosque in Kampala where he converted to Islam.
He recited the Shahadah (Muslim declaration) before Sheikh Kasule Ndirangira as Prince Kassim Nakibinge looked on. The singer then changed his name from Joseph to Jaffar Gadaffi Chameleone.
The Shahadah is the Islamic proclamation that: “There is no true God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.â€
Following the shocking announcement, Daniella left their home in Sseguku on Entebbe Road and returned to her uncle’s home in Bbiina, a city suburb.
Though the family backs Daniella’s decision, they denied compelling her to leave.
Converting to Islam, Katwalo stressed, had rendered their marriage vows they made at Bbiina church null.
“We have decided to withdraw our sister. We have everything she needs here. Unless he clears the air, Daniella is going nowhere,†Katwalo told the press at the priest’s residence.
Despite saying that Chameleone was an adult who “can do whatever he wantsâ€, Katwalo insisted that the family should have been respected. Asked if they had contacted him, he said his phone was off when they attempted to call him on Saturday.
In a separate interview, Chameleone said he went to Kibuli to pray, but when he was invited to greet the congregation, he became “emotionalâ€, a mood that led him to make the pronouncement.
“I have always attended Juma prayers like any other person. For example, politicians have been doing it. I did but because I am an emotional person, I reacted so quickly and recited the Shahadah,†Chameleone argued.
He admitted that he was under immense pressure from his parents, wife and his in-laws, especially Fr. Scalabrini, who presided over their wedding.
Some of his fans argued that it was not a surprise since it points to his stage name, Chameleone. Chameleons change colour to blend with their environment.
Kibuuka and Pidson Kareire
IN-laws of singer Jose Chameleone have supported his wife’s departure after he converted to Islam.
Stressing that they respect Islam, Ronald Katwalo, who made a statement on behalf of Fr. John Scalabrin, said they are Catholics and as such would not accept Chameleone’s new faith.
Scalabrin, a Catholic priest based in Bbiina, a Kampala suburb, is an uncle to Daniella Atim, the estranged wife of Chameleone.
Chameleone’s decision to convert to Islam sent shock waves through Daniella’s family.
“We do not want people to get it wrong. We respect Muslims. And just like there are Muslims, who are strong in their faith, we are also strong Catholics. You will never hear a Muslim converting because of a woman. It is the same thing here. We are Catholics from generation to generation,†Katwalo stated.
The family, Katwalo warned, would not just look on as Daniella, wed in a Catholic church in 2008, is compelled to join Islam.
Dressed in full Muslim garb, the musician, accompanied by fellow artistes Haruna Mubiru, a Muslim and Sulaiman Grace Ssekamatte (a recent convert to Islam), on Friday went to Kibuli Mosque in Kampala where he converted to Islam.
He recited the Shahadah (Muslim declaration) before Sheikh Kasule Ndirangira as Prince Kassim Nakibinge looked on. The singer then changed his name from Joseph to Jaffar Gadaffi Chameleone.
The Shahadah is the Islamic proclamation that: “There is no true God except Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.â€
Following the shocking announcement, Daniella left their home in Sseguku on Entebbe Road and returned to her uncle’s home in Bbiina, a city suburb.
Though the family backs Daniella’s decision, they denied compelling her to leave.
Converting to Islam, Katwalo stressed, had rendered their marriage vows they made at Bbiina church null.
“We have decided to withdraw our sister. We have everything she needs here. Unless he clears the air, Daniella is going nowhere,†Katwalo told the press at the priest’s residence.
Despite saying that Chameleone was an adult who “can do whatever he wantsâ€, Katwalo insisted that the family should have been respected. Asked if they had contacted him, he said his phone was off when they attempted to call him on Saturday.
In a separate interview, Chameleone said he went to Kibuli to pray, but when he was invited to greet the congregation, he became “emotionalâ€, a mood that led him to make the pronouncement.
“I have always attended Juma prayers like any other person. For example, politicians have been doing it. I did but because I am an emotional person, I reacted so quickly and recited the Shahadah,†Chameleone argued.
He admitted that he was under immense pressure from his parents, wife and his in-laws, especially Fr. Scalabrini, who presided over their wedding.
Some of his fans argued that it was not a surprise since it points to his stage name, Chameleone. Chameleons change colour to blend with their environment.