KAMPALA, UGANDA – Renowned Ugandan musician Joseph Mayanja, popularly known as Jose Chameleone, has publicly affirmed his backing for President Yoweri Museveni’s bid for a seventh term in office, announcing that he is personally funding his own campaign activities. This declaration, made on Wednesday, 5th November 2025 (EAT), seeks to dispel speculation that his political allegiance is financially motivated, adding a significant celebrity endorsement to the incumbent's campaign ahead of the 2026 general elections.

“I'm not here for work or to be paid. I'm working for free because the President looked after me when I fell sick,” Chameleone stated, referencing personal gratitude as a key driver for his support. He cited the peace and stability maintained under Museveni's long tenure as primary reasons for his endorsement, a sentiment he has expressed in previous statements.

A President Seeking 40 Years in Power

President Museveni, 81, has been in power since 1986, after leading a successful five-year guerrilla war. His rule, under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), brought relative stability to a country plagued by decades of conflict under previous regimes. In June 2025, Museveni officially declared his candidacy for the 2026 race, and the NRM's Central Executive Committee unanimously endorsed him as the party's sole candidate for both chairman and presidential flagbearer in August 2025. If re-elected, his presidency would extend to 45 years.

The upcoming election, scheduled for Thursday, 15th January 2026, will see Museveni face several challengers. The Electoral Commission has cleared eight candidates, including prominent opposition figure Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, the musician-turned-politician known as Bobi Wine, who represents the National Unity Platform (NUP). The 2021 election, in which Museveni defeated Wine, was marked by a tense campaign, violence, and allegations of vote rigging.

Chameleone's Shifting Political Alliances

Chameleone's political journey has been notably fluid. While he has been a long-time supporter of President Museveni and the NRM, even participating in the "Tubonga Nawe" campaign song for the 2016 election, he has also aligned with opposition movements. In 2019, he officially joined the Democratic Party (DP) and was appointed its national mobiliser, declaring his intention to run for Kampala Lord Mayor. The following year, in August 2020, he shifted allegiance again, joining Bobi Wine's NUP, then known as the People Power movement. His return to the NRM fold underscores the often pragmatic and personal nature of political affiliations among public figures in the region.

Implications for Kenya and East Africa

The political developments in Uganda are of critical importance to Kenya. Uganda is a major trading partner and the primary gateway for Kenyan exports to the Great Lakes region, with over 80% of Uganda's international trade transiting through the Port of Mombasa. Political stability in Uganda is directly linked to the economic health of the Northern Corridor, a vital transport and trade route for East Africa. Any political instability in Uganda has historically led to significant disruptions in cross-border trade and logistics, impacting Kenyan businesses.

In recent months, Presidents William Ruto and Yoweri Museveni have made concerted efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. In July and September 2025, the two leaders signed multiple agreements aimed at removing trade barriers and enhancing cooperation in sectors like transport, infrastructure, and tourism. These agreements, including fast-tracking the Busia Metro Project and modernizing logistics systems, are designed to deepen economic integration. The continuity of Museveni's administration is seen by some as a guarantee of these ongoing projects, while others express concern over Uganda's long-term democratic trajectory and its potential impact on regional stability.

As the campaign season in Uganda officially gets underway, the endorsement by a high-profile cultural figure like Chameleone provides a boost to the NRM's mobilisation efforts. For Kenyans, the election in the neighbouring state is not merely a foreign affair but a significant event with direct consequences for trade, security, and the broader political dynamics of the East African Community.