The marriage between Ugandan music icon Jose Chameleone and his wife Daniella Atim is officially over, as Atim has filed for divorce, accusing the singer of deserting her for over five years and leaving her emotionally distressed.
In a petition filed on March 20, 2025, before the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala, Atim, through her legal team at Wamimbi Advocates and Solicitors, outlined the emotional toll caused by Chameleone’s prolonged absence. She described feeling emotionally drained and mildly depressed due to his failure to provide the support and compassion she needed. In her filing, Atim argued that their marriage had broken down irreparably, and there was no chance for reconciliation.
Atim’s latest legal action follows a divorce notice issued in April 2023, where she accused Chameleone of cruelty and infidelity. The couple, who married on June 7, 2008, at St. James Catholic Parish in Bbiina-Mutungo, Kampala, share five children: Abba (19), Alfa (16), Alba (13), Amma (11), and Xara (6).
In her petition, Atim is requesting the court to dissolve their marriage and grant her full custody of their children. Additionally, she seeks ownership of the family’s home in Sseguku, Wakiso District, alongside child maintenance, alimony, and coverage of her legal costs.
While Chameleone has strongly disputed these allegations, claiming his busy career kept him away from home, he denies abandoning his family. The musician also explained that in 2018, he and Atim relocated to the United States in search of a better life. Chameleone bought a home for her and the children in the U.S., but he claims tensions in their relationship began shortly after the move, with Atim becoming distant and intolerant.
Despite these difficulties, Chameleone insisted he always respected and supported Atim. He further accused her of airing their private disputes on social media, causing him significant psychological distress.
Chameleone also rejected claims of abandoning his children, suggesting that Atim had turned some of them against him. He is asking the court to dismiss the petition, preserve the family’s Sseguku property, and grant joint custody of their children, with both parents contributing to their upbringing. Additionally, Chameleone opposes Atim’s request for alimony, arguing that she is gainfully employed in the U.S. and capable of supporting herself.
On Monday, both Chameleone and Atim appeared before acting Principal Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga for mediation, but the session ended without a resolution. The court is now set to determine the next steps in this high-profile divorce case.
The ongoing legal battle has captured the public’s attention, with fans and the media eagerly awaiting the outcome of this complicated and emotional saga.
