Amid whispers of opulence and controversy, Zohran Mamdani, a socialist frontrunner for New York City mayor, hosted a lavish three-day wedding celebration at his family’s private estate in Uganda.
According to the New York Post, this event, marked by tight security and local criticism, unfolded this week at a luxurious compound in Buziga Hill, near Kampala, drawing attention for its extravagance and timing amid nearby mourning. Mamdani, 33, originally from Kampala, moved to New York at age 7 and became a U.S. citizen in 2018.
He met his wife, Rama Duwaji, a 27-year-old artist and animator, on the dating app Hinge, and the couple eloped in February this year. They currently reside in a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, Queens, but their recent celebration took place far from their modest home. Earlier this year, Mamdani announced his marriage to Duwaji and shared on social media last Sunday that he was traveling to Uganda for a family celebration.
The wedding took place at his parents’ upscale estate in Buziga Hill, a wealthy enclave outside Kampala, known for housing some of Uganda’s richest residents, including billionaire Godfrey Kirumira. The two-acre property, owned by Mamdani’s parents, Nair, 67, a filmmaker, and Mahmood, 78, an anti-Israel political theorist, boasts lush gardens, stunning views of Lake Victoria, and multiple security gates. The family splits their time between New York, New Delhi, and this Ugandan retreat, which became the focal point of the elaborate event.
The celebration spanned three days this week, transforming the compound into a festive venue adorned with Christmas lights in the garden canopy. Music echoed through the night, with parties reportedly lasting until midnight on multiple days. On Tuesday, a convoy of buses, several Mercedes, and a Range Rover arrived at the estate, signaling the start of the grand affair.
By Thursday, guests were seen enjoying fruit juices, a common feature at Indian-style events, while dancing to tunes spun by a local DJ. That evening, Mamdani’s voice was heard over a microphone addressing attendees, with the revelry extending well past midnight. On Friday, the celebration wound down, with military-style tents being dismantled within the compound.
Security during the event was notably stringent, with over 20 special forces command unit guards, some wearing masks, stationed outside the estate. A witness told The Post, “Outside the Mamdani house were more than 20 special forces command unit guards, some in masks, and there was a phone-jamming system set up — and all for the strictly invite-only Mamdani event.” The same observer added, “One gate had around nine guards stationed at it.”
By Friday, what appeared to be Mamdani’s personal security team took over at the gates, replacing earlier forces. A witness noted to The Post, “Then what looked like Mamdani personal security guards took over at the gates.” Flowers were also seen discarded in a pile near one of the security entrances that day, marking the end of the event.
Despite the extravagance, the isolated location of the property meant many locals were unaware of the wedding itself. However, Mamdani’s prominence as a potential NYC mayor has sparked buzz among residents, especially children who have seen him on television. A resident told The Post, “Local children have been watching Mamdani on TV, and everyone was talking about him, but not about the wedding.”
The same resident added, “For us, it’s just about survival. We’re just trying to win the bread and make sure our families are OK.” Another neighbor expressed curiosity about Mamdani’s success, saying to The Post, “We had heard that Mamdani was going to be Mayor of New York, and he had made it over in America.” They continued, “We want to know now if we can get free visas to the U.S. and to travel to New York like he did.”
While some locals admired Mamdani’s achievements, others criticized the timing of his celebration due to ongoing mourning in the community. Nearby, residents were grieving the loss of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who passed away on July 14 and lived just three minutes from the Mamdani estate. His burial, set for next week, has kept the area in a period of mourning known locally as ‘Okukungubaga.’
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni visited to pay respects to Kanyeihamba, causing street blockages with his convoy, as noted by a local who told The Post, “The street was blocked by the president’s cars.” Some felt the wedding was inappropriate given the circumstances, with one person telling The Post, “Because of the culture here, it was insensitive to have a wedding celebration in the same week as mourning – or ‘Okukungubaga’ – as it’s called here.” They added, “People are still in mourning,” gesturing toward Kanyeihamba’s nearby home.
The same source continued, “He has not even been buried, and we have his friends coming to give last words and to mourn before the burial next week, yet Mamdani is celebrating his wedding for three days.” The contrast between the festive atmosphere at the Mamdani compound and the somber mood in the neighborhood highlighted a cultural disconnect for some. It remains unclear if President Museveni attended Mamdani’s wedding, adding another layer of speculation to the event.
Mamdani, for his part, did not respond to requests for comment from The Post regarding the celebration or the criticism. In a lighthearted Instagram video, he quipped while holding newspaper covers, “Since you will undoubtedly read about this trip in The New York Post —Inshallah on the front page—here are a few of my humble suggestions for headlines.” He also confirmed in the video that he plans to stay in Uganda until the end of the month before returning to New York.