Jose Chameleone, the celebrated Ugandan musician, has set his sights on the television industry with Leone Island TV. However, his dream of launching a broadcasting station may be more challenging than his musical career, as a consultant has dismissed claims of misappropriating Sh250 million meant for the project.

Consultant Refutes Allegations

Dr. Joel Isabirye, the consultant hired to help establish the station, has strongly denied allegations that he misused Sh250 million entrusted to him by Chameleone. In a statement issued on November 10, Isabirye explained that the project's failure was due to Chameleone's inability to provide proof of financial capacity required by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).

The dispute arose after Chameleone, during a TikTok Live conversation with fellow musician Bruno K, accused Isabirye of taking the money but failing to deliver a fully operational television station. According to Chameleone, he invested the funds to set up Leone Island TV in Makindye, but the project only reached the test signal stage.

Project Stalled at Licensing Stage

Isabirye, however, paints a different picture. He says the project progressed to the UCC licensing stage but could not proceed because Chameleone failed to provide proof of seed capital and other necessary documentation. "The television dream was ready for its close-up, but the money questions were not," Isabirye remarked.

The consultant revealed that Chameleone first approached him in 2020 to help establish the station. Preparatory work was undertaken, equipment was acquired, and the application was submitted to UCC. However, licensing could not be completed because the singer did not satisfy the outstanding financial requirements.

Financial Breakdown Disputed

Isabirye also disputes the Sh250 million figure, insisting that expenditure on the project did not exceed Sh70 million. He provided a breakdown: Sh10 million for control room computers, Sh23 million for UCC application and licensing fees, Sh12 million in consultancy fees, Sh17 million for rented encoding and decoding equipment, and Sh4 million for studio and office rent in Makindye.

He says receipts, deposit slips, and other records are available to support the expenditure, and copies were shared with Chameleone's representative, Daniela Atim, through weekly project reports. Isabirye has challenged the singer to account for the Sh250 million he claims to have invested, particularly if the money came from a government source.

Path Forward

Despite the setback, Isabirye says the door is not closed for Chameleone. If the singer still wants to see Leone Island TV broadcasting beyond a test signal, he simply needs to provide the required documentation. Isabirye cites his involvement in establishing singer Justin Nameere's television station, which successfully went on air after the necessary funding and licensing processes were completed, as evidence of his expertise.

Setting up a television station is clearly not as simple as buying cameras and announcing a launch. UCC requires broadcasters to demonstrate technical and financial capacity, among other licensing conditions, before going on air. For now, Leone Island TV remains more of an ambition than a reality. Chameleone may have the name, the brand, and the entertainment credentials, but Isabirye's message is that those alone cannot secure a television licence.

Whether the singer will produce the missing documents and revive the project remains to be seen. Until then, Leone Island TV appears to be broadcasting more promises than programmes.