‘I can also make it’: Pride in Uganda over Mamdani’s New York win
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Democratic candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani wins the 2025 New York City Mayoral race on Nov 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KAMPALA – Some Ugandans were elated on Nov 5 at the news that one of their countrymen, Mr Zohran Mamdani, had been elected mayor of New York, while many drew a complete blank.
Mr Mamdani, 34, a staunch leftist, became the first Muslim mayor of the United States’ biggest city after elections on Nov 4.
He was born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin and has lived in the US since he was seven.
There was some excitement at Makerere University in the Ugandan capital Kampala, where Mr Mamdani’s father was a senior academic until a few years ago.
“Seeing Zohran up there, I feel like I can also make it,” said Mr Anthony Kirabo, 22, a psychology student.
“It makes me feel good and proud of my country because it shows that Uganda can produce some good leaders,” he said, adding that he hoped it might encourage more tourists to come to the East African country.
But many had never heard of Mr Mamdani or the fact that a Ugandan had become the youngest mayor of New York in more than a century.
Others hoped Mr Mamdani’s victory would provide a lesson for Uganda’s own leaders as they head into a potentially fraught presidential election of their own in January, with 81-year-old Yoweri Museveni seeking a seventh term in power.
Mr Bobi Wine, the 43-year-old running against Mr Museveni in the election, sent “hearty congratulations” to Mr Mamdani.
“From Uganda, we celebrate and draw strength from your example as we work to build a country where every citizen can realise their grandest dreams regardless of means and background,” Mr Wine wrote on social media platform X.
Mr Joseph Sendagire, a 28-year-old procurement officer speaking to AFP in Kampala’s city park, said he hoped Uganda would “borrow a leaf” from New York’s election.
“Uganda should embrace a culture of free and fair elections, allow candidates to compete for whatever post we want in a fair manner, treat them equally, and then at the end of the day, may the best candidate win,” he said.
Other Ugandans welcomed Mr Mamdani’s pro-poor policies.
“I think him taxing the rich at the benefit of those that do not have enough is a very good policy,” said law student Owen Mubalya, 23, at Makarere.
“It’s very inspirational having all these people occupying such offices. I really think there is something to learn, and it encourages me to work harder.” AFP
