Several Ugandans around the globe were among the many to welcome the news of Zohran Mamdani, a Ugandan-American born in Kampala, winning his New York city election mayoral race.
Mamdani 34, ran on the Democratic Party ticket against Andrew Cuomo (Independent) and Curtis Sliwa (Republican Party). He beat all his challengers in a historic election, making him the youngest person and a Muslim to hold this position.
Back home, several congratulatory messages were seen pouring in from big figures celebrating Mamdani’s historic victory. Notable among them were the Makerere University Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Buganda Kingdom premier Charles Peter Mayiga and National Unity Platform (NUP) president Bobi Wine.
Makerere University the country’s largest, is where Mamdani’s father, Prof. Mahmood Mamdani, has long been a lecturer with an indelible mark in the country’s academic arena and the University as a whole.
The University’s Vice Chancellor in his congratulatory message to the newly elected New York mayor and his father Prof. Mamdhani, noted that they make Uganda and Makerere proud.
“CONGRATULATIONS to Zohran K Mamdani on his historic election as Mayor of New York City. Congratulations too to Prof. Mamdani on his strategic mentorship” Nawangwe posted.
Buganda Katikiro Mayiga described Mamdhani’s’ victory as a Good Export from the Pearl of Africa, literary to mean Uganda.
“If one dreams about touching the stars, one is likely to fly as high as the clouds. Good export from the Pearl of Africa,” Mayiga said in his Facebook post.
NUP president Bobi Wine described Mamdhani’s victory as a source of hope and inspiration.
“Sending our hearty congratulations to @ZohranKMamdani upon beating all odds to get elected as the Mayor of New York City! From Uganda, we celebrate and draw strength from your example as we work to build a country where every citizen can realize their grandest dreams regardless of means and background,” Bobi Wine posted on his social media platforms.
Prof. Mamdhani, Zohran Mamdhani’s father has been a long respected academic figure at Makerere University where he has left an indelible academic mark and to the country. When the news of his son’s victory checked in, cerebrations erupted at the University.
Born in Kampala before moving to the United States, Mamdani has many times spoken about his Ugandan roots and how they shaped his current status.
His victory has triggered inspiration and conversation about potentiality of Ugandan youth to excel on the world stage.
