Daniella Atim Mayanja wife to popular singer Jose Chameleone has just lost her dear guardian, Fr. John Scalabrini who has been staying at his home in Luziira, Biina.
He died this morning at St. Francis Hospital Nsambya where he was admitted last Thursday after developing health complications.
The ailment that the 83-year-old Catholic priest he has been suffering from has not yet been established.
Scalabrini was born in Limido Comasco, Italy in 1934. He came to Uganda in 1964 aged 30, and has been doing missionary work for decades, supporting orphans, the poor and homeless among other charitable deeds. Father Scalabrini is the man who groomed Daniella and has been her father figure.
He has also been close to Chameleone and his entire family. Scalabrini is the one who conducted the wedding ceremony of the celebrity couple in June 2008 and he has been a shoulder to lean on in times of trouble.
He is the one who chartered a chopper to pick Chameleone from Tanzania when he broke his legs in the infamous 2009 accident.
Fr. Scalabrini also oversaw Chameleone’s return to the Catholic fold when it was reported that he had converted to Islam in 2011, which had caused a rift in his family.
When Chameleone was battling an alleged murder case after a trespasser set himself ablaze at the singer’s Seguku home in late 2012, Chameleone and his entire family had to vacate the Seguku house because of hostile neighbours and Father Scalabrini came to their rescue by providing an apartment in Biina where they sheltered.
Matooke Republic, sends our sincere condolences to the Catholic fraternity and the Mayanja Family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.