Jose Chameleone Addresses Son Abba Marcus’s Alarming Health Claims

Ugandan music legend Jose Chameleone has spoken out about a recent family dispute involving his son, Abba Marcus, who made viral social media posts late last year claiming the singer’s health was deteriorating.

In December, Abba attracted widespread attention after alleging that his father was seriously ill and unlikely to recover. At the time, Chameleone had been flown to the United States for treatment.

Speaking from Tanzania—where he is visiting fellow artist Professor Jay, who is also battling health issues—Chameleone downplayed his son’s remarks, attributing them to inexperience.

“He’s still young, and young people often don’t fully understand what adults face,” Chameleone said. “We later met, and I explained to him that no one chooses to fall sick. I certainly didn’t ask for a health condition.”

Despite the pain caused by Abba’s statements, Chameleone acknowledged that his son’s outburst may have come from a place of concern. “In his own way, he was expressing worry. But this is a private family matter, and I prefer not to discuss it further,” he added.

Abba’s Claims Spark Concern

In a now-viral TikTok video, Abba claimed that his father had only two years to live, blaming his condition on alcohol dependency.

“If my father continues like this, doctors say he has just two years left,” Abba stated. “It breaks my heart because he’s my father, and I know him better than anyone.”

Chameleone Provides Clarity on His Health

Chameleone later confirmed he had been diagnosed with pancreatitis and spent over two months receiving treatment in the U.S. He is still undergoing medication, which could last another year.

“The condition was pancreatitis, progressing to acute pancreatitis,” he explained. “Possible causes include alcohol, smoking, lack of rest, and stress—but these aren’t the only factors.”

Importantly, he emphasized that doctors never directly attributed his illness to alcohol. “They didn’t say it was due to drinking or smoking. The key point is that I had pancreatitis, underwent surgery, and I’m still on medication, likely for another year.”

Despite the controversy, Chameleone appeared optimistic about the future. “I feel better now and am ready to get back to work,” he said.