Mamdani, while tactful in his response, used the moment to emphasize his Ugandan identity and the shared struggles of immigrants in balancing opportunities abroad with questions of belonging.
Who Is Zohran Mamdani?
Zohran Mamdani, born in Kampala to renowned academic Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, made history by becoming the first Ugandan-born politician to ascend to the mayoral seat of New York. His victory was celebrated both in the diaspora and back home, where many see him as a bridge between Uganda and the international community.
His Luganda outburst now cements him not just as a political figure but also as a cultural ambassador proudly showcasing Uganda to the world.
The exchange, which has since gone viral, took place during a media interaction in New York when Bahati directly asked Mayor Mamdani what he had to say about Uganda’s role in receiving immigrants who were forcefully deported by the US
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