Fresh tension is brewing in Uganda’s music industry after singer Papa Cidy publicly called out Jose Chameleone over what he describes as unpaid royalties and performance earnings from projects they worked on together.
In a respectful but emotional message addressed to Chameleone, Papa Cidy said he has always known the Leone Island boss as a good person, which is why he decided to raise the matter publicly and seek a fair resolution.
The singer specifically referenced songs including Daniela and other collaborations that were uploaded on Chameleone’s platforms. According to Papa Cidy, he invested significant time and resources into those projects and believes he deserves compensation through royalty collections.
Papa Cidy also alleged that he was never paid for a performance the two artists did together in London. In the message, he questioned how artists are expected to survive if they continue working without receiving payment for their contributions.
The veteran musician further appealed to Chameleone to address the matter while everyone involved is still alive, saying appreciation and recognition should not come only after people are gone. He referenced past situations in the industry where contributions were allegedly recognized too late.
So far, Chameleone has not publicly responded to Papa Cidy’s claims.
The development has already sparked discussion among music fans, with many waiting to see whether the two longtime industry figures will resolve the matter privately or whether the dispute could grow into one of the biggest royalty debates in Uganda’s entertainment scene.
For now, Papa Cidy says he is simply asking for fairness, recognition, and a solution to the issues he has raised.