In a dramatic turn of events, journalist and TikTok personality Jane Namukasa has issued a public apology to music icon Jose Chameleone, retracting her previous defamatory statements.
This comes after Chameleone initiated legal proceedings against Namukasa, demanding UGX 100 million in compensation and a formal apology within five days for spreading false allegations.
The saga began when Namukasa, in a widely circulated TikTok video, claimed that Chameleone had been incarcerated in the United States for allegedly assaulting his caretaker, Juliet Zawedde.
Namukasa's claims further detailed that the alleged assault stemmed from Zawedde discovering Chameleone in a phone conversation with other women. Despite facing significant backlash and Chameleone's public denial, Namukasa initially doubled down, boldly stating she "stands by what she said" and even challenged the singer to publicly refute her claims live on TikTok.
Chameleone responded swiftly and decisively, releasing his own social media video denouncing Namukasa's accusations as baseless falsehoods designed to mislead the public.
He then escalated the matter, serving Namukasa with a legal demand for both financial restitution and a public apology to be issued on the same TikTok platform where the damaging claims originated.
Facing potential further legal action and the weight of Chameleone's demands, Jane Namukasa has now offered a public apology. In her statement, Namukasa admitted the falsity of her claims:
"The things I talked about Chameleone were false. I was given information by people from the USA that Chameleone beat a woman and was taken to prison. However, the people that gave me information have personal issues with Chameleone. Chameleone is sick and is set to go for surgery. I want to apologize to him and I regret the statements. I wish Chameleone good health and quick recovery."
With this apology, it remains to be seen whether Chameleone will deem Namukasa's statement sufficient to resolve the legal dispute or if further action will be pursued.