This archive report was first published on 18 April 2020.
April 18, 2020, marked a tumultuous day for Ugandan singer Weasel, who found himself at war with local DJs over their preference for international music before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Weasel, the only surviving member of the Goodlyfe Crew following the tragic death of Mowzey Radio in 2018, took to social media to express his frustration with the DJs, claiming they had favored international artists over local talent.
Responding to pleas for relief from the DJs, Weasel directed them to seek help from international artists they had previously promoted, such as Konshens and Sean Paul.
“Dear local DJs who don’t play Ugandan Music, ask Konshens and Sean Paul for financial help,” Weasel wrote in a since-deleted post.
However, Weasel later claimed that his account had been hacked, stating, “Banange I don’t have Konshens number. Someone hacked my page.”
Meanwhile, Weasel’s brother, Jose Chameleone, was also in trouble after being intercepted by Uganda Revenue Authority officials on his way to a TV show over unpaid taxes on a Toyota V8 he had acquired over a year ago.
Chameleone apologized to Ugandans over the heated exchange, stating, “I was intercepted by the URA enforcement at the entrance of Masengere. It was less than 15 minutes to my appearance on the live TV show - Easter Camuka - to which I later appeared. Because of the anxiety at that moment, I got engaged in a regrettable exchange with the URA team.”
