By Nathan Eyagu 

Abba Marcus, the eldest son of Ugandan music icon Jose Chameleone, has issued a sobering revelation about his father’s deteriorating health. Speaking in an emotional TikTok video, Marcus disclosed that doctors have warned Chameleone has as little as two years to live if he does not address his struggles with alcohol addiction.  

“To start things off, my father suffers from acute pancreatitis,” Marcus shared. “In most cases, this is a condition that is caused by repeated alcohol use. In this case, this is exactly what is going on with my father.”  

The renowned musician, whose career has spanned decades and earned him a place among Uganda’s greatest entertainers, is now battling the consequences of prolonged alcohol use. Marcus explained that Chameleone’s addiction has contributed to his alarming weight loss and other health complications, raising concerns about his future.  

Marcus described his father’s battle with addiction as a long-standing issue that has impacted not just his health but his relationships and legacy.  

“Throughout my entire life, I’ve always seen my father struggle with alcohol and controlling the use of alcohol,” Marcus revealed. “He’s human at the end of the day. He may struggle with certain anxieties… and maybe he chose to use that as an escape. Unfortunately, that kind of thing is starting to catch up with him.”  

Amid the unfolding crisis, Marcus also defended his mother, Daniella Atim, from public criticism that unfairly blames her for Chameleone’s health problems.  

“It completely disheartens me when I see the internet bash my mother, making her the cause of everything,” he said. “I am here to tell you that is completely false. My mother has nothing to do with any health issues that my father may be experiencing.”  

Marcus called for understanding and compassion, urging the public to focus on supporting Chameleone rather than assigning blame.  

In his candid message, Marcus expressed frustration with Chameleone’s family and inner circle, accusing them of neglecting his father’s well-being.  

“Never in my life have I seen such unconcerned parents that are so careless about their children’s well-being,” Marcus said, referring to his grandparents. He further criticized his father’s friends, stating, “The people around my father do not care about his well-being… They just care about the monetary value he brings to them.”  

Marcus also highlighted what he described as a pattern of irresponsibility within the family, attributing some of Chameleone’s struggles - and the premature deaths of his uncles - to a lack of proper support from their upbringing.  

With doctors warning of a grim prognosis if no changes are made, Marcus is calling for collective action to save his father’s life.  

“The point of this video is to bring the truth out to the people that care about my father - his fans, supporters, and everyone who loves him,” he said. “According to the doctors, he has two years left, and this really disheartens me because this is my father I’ve known my entire life.”  

Marcus pleaded with the public, family, and friends to rally together to help Chameleone overcome his struggles. “We need to work together to get my father the help that he needs,” he emphasized.  

As one of Uganda’s most celebrated artists, Jose Chameleone’s health battle is a stark reminder of the hidden challenges faced by public figures. Abba Marcus’s emotional appeal has shed light on the need for compassion, understanding, and urgent intervention to support the music legend in his recovery journey.