Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee for New York City, recently made headlines with an extravagant three-day wedding celebration in his native Uganda. The event, which took place at his family’s private compound in the affluent Buziga Hill neighborhood near Kamp, was marked by military security and a cellphone jamming system to ensure exclusivity. The New York Post reported that the celebration included over 20 masked military guards at one gate, with the entire compound secured to prevent unauthorized entry.
Mamdani, who moved to the United States at the age of seven, eloped with illustrator Rama Duwaji earlier this year. The couple currently resides in Queens, and the wedding party was held in a location that reportedly includes views of Lake Victoria and features at least three security gates. The event, which coincided with Uganda’s mourning period for former Supreme Court Justice George Kanyeihamba, drew criticism for its timing, as some locals deemed the celebration insensitive to the national atmosphere of grief.
Mamdani’s family home, described as a sprawling estate in Kampala, is located in an area with high levels of wealth and is a neighborhood that hosts several notable Ugandan personalities, including billionaire businessman Godfrey Kirumira. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory for Uganda warns of the risks posed by crime, terrorism, and laws targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation, underscoring the challenges faced by foreign visitors in the country.
The wedding celebration, which saw the arrival of buses, Mercedes, and a Range Rover, became a focal point for discussions about the intersection of personal life and political visibility. As part of his campaign for mayor, Mamdani’s actions have sparked both support and criticism from within his party and the broader public. While some argue that the event reflects his personal choices, others have questioned the appropriateness of such a high-profile celebration in a country experiencing significant social and political dynamics.
Despite the controversies, Mamdani remains a prominent figure in the race for New York City mayor, a position that has seen considerable attention and debate. His actions have further positioned him as a figure whose private life intersects with public scrutiny, raising questions about the balance between personal expression and political responsibility in the public eye.