Zohran Mamdani’s New York Breakthrough Inspires Ugandans to Back Youth in Politics

Ugandans Find Hope in Mamdani’s Breakthrough in New York Mayoral Contest

KAMPALA, Uganda — Zohran Mamdani’s surprising breakthrough in the New York mayoral contest has resonated in Uganda, where politicians, academics and activists say his rise highlights the potential of younger leaders and the importance of investing in youth participation in politics.

Joel Ssenyonyi, a member of Uganda’s Parliament representing part of Kampala, said Mamdani’s success is encouraging even if the political realities at home remain challenging. 'It’s a big encouragement even to us here in Uganda that it’s possible,' he said. 'But we have a long way to get there.'

Roots, family and political formation

Mamdani was born in Kampala in 1991 and left Uganda at age five to join his father, the political theorist Mahmood Mamdani, first in South Africa and later in the United States. He retained his Ugandan citizenship after becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. His mother is filmmaker Mira Nair, an Academy Award–nominated director, and the family maintains a home in Kampala.

Observers point to the influence of his father. Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University and an influential scholar in postcolonial studies, has been openly critical of President Yoweri Museveni. In his recent book, Slow Poison (Harvard University Press), he contrasts Museveni’s legacy with that of the late dictator Idi Amin, arguing both relied on violence to remain in power while noting differences in wealth and popular support.

What Mamdani stands for and how he rose

Before seeking higher office, Mamdani was active as a community organizer in Queens, New York, helping vulnerable homeowners facing eviction. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2021 and later launched a mayoral campaign that surprised many observers with its strong showing in the Democratic primary. His platform prioritized lowering the cost of living with proposals such as free city buses, free childcare, rent freezes for rent-stabilized tenants and publicly run grocery stores, paid for by higher taxes on the wealthy. Some political opponents called for his denaturalization and deportation.

As a youth he briefly considered journalism and performed with rap groups such as Young Cardamom and HAB; eccentric music videos shot in Kampala remain available online.

Reaction in Uganda

For many in Uganda, Mamdani’s performance abroad offers a symbolic 'beacon of hope' and a reminder that young people should be given opportunities to influence politics. Robert Kabushenga, a retired media executive who knows the family, described Mamdani as unconventional and willing to 'reimagine politics.' Okello Ogwang, a literature professor who worked with Mahmood Mamdani at Makerere University, urged greater investment in Uganda’s youth: 'If we don't invest in our youth, we are wasting our time.'

'It inspires us,' said MP Ssenyonyi. 'Mamdani is Ugandan-born, like us.'

While the political context in Uganda — where President Museveni has ruled for nearly four decades and faces a contested path to succession — differs sharply from the environment Mamdani navigated in New York, Ugandan observers say the example underscores the value of youth engagement and fresh political ideas.