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For many Ugandans, Mamdani’s milestone is more than a political win—it is a moment of pride, representation, and inspiration, demonstrating how Ugandan talent continues to shape the global stage.
Residents in Uganda expressed excitement and pride following the election of Ugandan-born Zohran Mamdani as the new mayor of New York City. Mamdani’s win on Tuesday marks a remarkable rise for the 34-year-old, who campaigned on a promise to reshape city governance, empower working-class communities, and push back against what he described as a hostile Trump administration.
Mamdani spent his early childhood in Uganda before leaving at age five, when his father, renowned political theorist Mahmood Mamdani, relocated to South Africa. The family later moved to the United States. Despite becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018, Mamdani retained his Ugandan citizenship.
His mother is award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair, whose acclaimed body of work includes an Academy Award nomination. The Mamdani–Nair family still keeps a home in Kampala and remains closely tied to Uganda. They visited earlier this year to celebrate Mamdani’s marriage.
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For many Ugandans, Mamdani’s milestone is more than a political win—it is a moment of pride, representation, and inspiration, demonstrating how Ugandan talent continues to shape the global stage.