This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
Published on August 3, 2019, by Charles M. Mpagi, a renowned author.
The Democratic Party, one of Uganda's oldest political outfits, has been struggling to make its mark on the country's politics.
Despite producing many influential politicians, the party has failed to win power for itself, and its latest attempt at a comeback remains modest.
The party has tapped Joseph Mayanja, also known as Jose Chameleone, a musician with international celebrity status.
Chameleone is running for the Kampala mayoral seat, a departure from his previous support for the ruling National Resistance Movement and its leader, Yoweri Museveni.
Chameleone promoted President Museveni's re-election four years ago and was a lead singer in an all-star cast of the Museveni campaign theme song.
The song, which was musically and politically successful among NRM supporters, attracted backlash and led to the cancellation of several concerts both locally and internationally.
Chameleone is now struggling to explain his sudden about-turn and convince a skeptical opposition and public that his transformation is real.
Lawyer and activist Andrew Karamagi says,
