The marriage between renowned Ugandan musician Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone, and his wife Daniella Atim has officially reached a legal turning point.
Atim has filed for divorce, citing desertion and emotional neglect after five years of separation.
In a petition filed on March 20, 2025, with the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala, Atim represented by Wamimbi Advocates and Solicitors claimed that Chameleone’s prolonged absence and lack of emotional and financial support had left her distressed and mildly depressed
She argued that the musician failed to demonstrate love, compassion, or empathy, effectively dismantling the foundation of their marriage.
“There is no collusion or connivance regarding the dissolution of the marriage between us,” she stated in her court documents.
This isn’t her first legal move toward separation. In April 2023, Atim served a divorce notice accusing Chameleone of cruelty and infidelity, alleging the relationship had irretrievably broken down.
Court documents show that the couple, both devout Roman Catholics, were married on June 7, 2008, at St. James Catholic Parish Bbiina-Mutungo in Kampala. They later settled in Sseguku, Wakiso District, where they lived with their five children: Abba (19), Alfa (16), Alba (13), Amma (11), and Xara (6).
In her latest petition, Atim is requesting the court to formally dissolve the marriage, grant her full custody of the children, and award her ownership of the family home in Sseguku. She is also seeking child support, alimony, and reimbursement for her legal expenses.
Chameleone, however, has contested her claims. In his response, the singer acknowledged that his music career often kept him away but denied abandoning his family.
He said the couple mutually agreed to move their children to the United States in 2018 “in search of a better life,” and that he bought a house there for Atim and the children.
He claimed the marriage began to deteriorate after the relocation, alleging that Atim became emotionally distant and combative. Despite these issues, he said he remained supportive and respectful. Chameleone also accused Atim of publicizing their private disputes on social media, which he says caused him severe psychological strain and even led to hospitalization.
He denied neglecting his children and alleged that Atim had alienated some of them from him. In his filing, he asked the court to dismiss her petition, arguing that the Sseguku property should remain a shared family home for their children when in Uganda.
Chameleone also opposed Atim’s request for alimony, saying she is gainfully employed in the U.S. and financially independent. While agreeing to the dissolution of their marriage, he requested joint custody of the children and proposed that both parents contribute to their upbringing. He also asked the court to award him legal costs.
According to The New Vision, both parties appeared before acting Principal Judge Jane Okuo Kajuga for a mediation session on Monday. Atim was represented by lawyer Emmanuel Wamimbi, while Chameleone was accompanied by his counsel Roberts Friday Kagoro.
However, the session concluded without a resolution, leaving the final outcome to be determined by the court.