A wave of national pride and excitement swept through Uganda on Wednesday. This followed the election of native son, Zohran Mamdani, as the new Mayor of New York City. Mamdani’s victory on Tuesday marks a spectacular rise for the 34-year-old Democrat.
He ran his campaign on promises of restructuring city governance, supporting working-class communities, and challenging the politics of the Donald Trump administration.
For many citizens across Uganda, this achievement feels both personally significant and profoundly symbolic.
Recalling the Mayor-Elect’s Early Days
Ugandan radio presenter Siima Kyakuhaire Sabiti shared her first impressions of the Mayor-elect. She met Mamdani early in his career, long before he entered politics.
Sabiti remembered, “I got to know Zohran when he was part of a really dope rap duo known as Young Cardamom and Hab.” She invited him onto her radio show. She found him to be “a very funny, intelligent… sparky individual.”
Sabiti praised his initial dedication: “One of the things I really liked about him was how much he loved Uganda and was just passionate about doing good things for people. That was one of the things that kind of drew me to him.”
A Symbol of Hope and Global Talent
Actor and comedian Richard Tuwangye called Mamdani’s success “inspirational.” However, he urged Ugandans to temper their expectations regarding the win’s practical impact. Tuwangye suggested playfully, “For us to expect a lot from Zohran’s win is Ugandans not being able to manage their expectations.” He humorously concluded, “I would be surprised if anyone was not proud to be a Ugandan this is the best country, naturally, in the world.”
Mamdani spent his first five years in Uganda. He left at age five when his father, the distinguished political theorist Mahmood Mamdani, moved to South Africa. The family later relocated to the United States. Although he became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018, Mamdani has retained his Ugandan citizenship.
His mother is the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair. Her extensive work includes films that received Academy Award nominations. The Mamdani–Nair family maintains a strong link to Uganda, keeping a family home in Kampala. They visited earlier this year to celebrate Mamdani’s marriage.
For thousands of Ugandans, Mamdani’s milestone signifies more than a political success in a foreign city. It is a moment of deep pride, significant representation, and potent inspiration, proving that Ugandan talent continues to influence the global stage.
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