Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York, has announced that he is returning to Uganda—his country of birth—to celebrate his recent marriage to Rama Duwaji.
In a personal message shared via a video on X (formerly Twitter), Mamdani expressed his excitement about the trip.
“I’m going back to Uganda,” he said. “I’m headed there in a personal capacity to celebrate Rama and I’s marriage with our family and friends.”
Born in Kampala on 18 October 1991, Mamdani is the son of two prominent figures—renowned political scholar Professor Mahmood Mamdani and celebrated filmmaker Mira Nair, best known for Queen of Katwe, the critically acclaimed movie based on the true story of a young Ugandan chess champion.
Zohran spent his childhood between Uganda and the United States and holds dual citizenship. Before stepping into politics, he dabbled in music as a rapper, and one of his songs even featured on the Queen of Katwe soundtrack.
Mamdani has often spoken proudly of his Ugandan roots and says this trip marks a meaningful return home—not just as a politician, but as a son, husband, and member of a global Ugandan family.
