'I was denied US visa because of Chameleone photo' - Doreen Kabareebe

Ugandan fashion designer and model Doreen Kabareebe recently opened up about the challenges she faced due to a controversial photo taken over 12 years ago, revealing how it significantly impacted her life and career.

The photo in question, which was taken by paparazzi, captured Kabareebe in a moment of embracing Ugandan singer Jose Chameleone.

She was wearing a short white dress, and as she reached to hug him, her buttocks were exposed. This image quickly spread through tabloids, making front-page news and sparking widespread attention.

The photo’s exposure caused immense pressure on Kabareebe, particularly from her family. She described the situation as unbearable, which eventually led her to flee Uganda and seek refuge in the Middle East.

In a recent interview, Kabareebe stated, “I went to Dubai because that photo with Chameleone was ruining my life. Every morning I was in the Red Paper, The Onion, and all the other tabloids... every day they carried the same picture with my bums exposed."

She explained how the constant circulation of the photo caused stress to her family, especially her father, who was alive at the time.

The relentless coverage and pressure took a toll on her personal life, to the extent that she considered leaving Uganda entirely.

“If I was like these kids who are weak, I would have started using drugs, but I am the kind of person who fights," she said.

Initially, Kabareebe hoped to relocate to the United States, where she planned to pursue a Master's degree. However, her plans were thwarted when she attempted to apply for a visa.

At the embassy, she found the visa officer holding a copy of the Red Pepper, with the controversial photo plastered on the front page.

As a result, she was denied the visa, which marked a turning point in her life and forced her to rethink her options.

Kabareebe then opted to travel to the Middle East, where she first settled in Dubai. During her time there, she worked at Dunkin' Donuts for six months before moving on to a position at the Marriott Hotel in Abu Dhabi.

She spent two years working there, trying to rebuild her life away from the controversies in Uganda.

In the Gulf she met her current partner Corry Harris, an American citizens who helped her process papers to relocate to the US in 2022.