Singer Papa Cidy, real names Patrick Mulwana, has publicly asked fellow musician Dr. Jose Chameleone to pay him royalties from songs they recorded together, including the 2000s hit Daniela.
In an open letter shared online on 2 June 2026, Papa Cidy said he invested heavily in the projects but has never received payment from streaming or YouTube royalties. The songs in question were uploaded on Chameleone’s official channel.
“I have always known you as a good person, and that is why I am reaching out to you respectfully,” Papa Cidy wrote. “You know how much I invested in those projects. I believe I deserve payment from royalties collection.”
The singer also claimed he was not paid for a joint performance with Chameleone in London. _“Ffe tunaapatikanira nga bwerere?”_ he asked, meaning “How are we supposed to survive if we keep working for free?”
Papa Cidy urged Chameleone to resolve the matter “respectfully and while we are all still here”, referencing past cases where artistes were only appreciated after death, such as Bobi Wine’s tribute to the late Master Parrot.
Royalty collection in Uganda is managed by bodies like UPRS and AMCOS. Disputes over song ownership, splits, and channel monetization have become common as streaming revenue grows. Neither Chameleone nor his Leone Island management had issued a public response by press time.
All parties are presumed to be acting in good faith until an agreement, audit, or court determination is made. UPRS/AMCOS can verify splits and payments if both artistes petition for an audit.
