Ugandans reacted with joy and hope to the news that Kampalala-son Zohran Mamdani has been elected mayor of New York City, among the most democratic countries in East Africa.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda 34 years ago in a family of Indian origin, on Tuesday ANDECH CUOMO and Republican Curti Sligo and the first of the City’s Muslim heritage and the first of the City’s Asian heritage.
He has been living in the US since he was seven years old. In his 20s, under the stage name young cardamom, he made the music with Uganda Rapper Hab.
Many in Uganda had never heard of Mamdani before his election victory or that a Ugandan had become the youngest mayor of New York City in over a century.
But there is excitement and pride at Carere University in the Uganda Capital, Kampala, where Mamdani’s father taught until a few years ago.
“Seeing Zohran there, I feel like I can do it too,” said psychology student Anthony KirAbo – AFP).
“I feel good and proud of my country because it shows that Uganda can produce some good leaders,” said the 22-year-old, adding that it will encourage more tourists to come to East Africiss.
Mamdani’s victory comes at a trying time for democracy in East Africa, where observers describe growing resistance and human rights violations in some countries.
Uganda’s neighbor Tanzania is reeling from bloody election violence last week in which hundreds of people were reported to have been killed in demonstrations against what protesters said was the stifling of the opposition after the exclusion of key candidates from the presidential ballot.
Some hope Mamdani’s victory will provide a lesson for Uganda’s leaders as the country braces itself for a potential general election in 39 years, seeking a seventh term in power.
The developments in the run-up, including the months-long detention of the opposition Kizza Besigye, which tested both the critics of the administration’s critics and the administration’s authoritarianism.
Joseph Spaggire, a recruitment official, told AFP Uganda was “borrowing a leaf” from the Mayoral Election in New York City.
“Uganda should embrace a culture of free and fair elections, allow candidates to compete for any post we want in a fair manner, may the best candidate, may the best candidate, may the best candidate, may the best candidate, may the best candidate win,” he said.
Robert Kabushenga, a retired media executive who is friendly with the Mamdani family, told the Associated Press that the victory offers “a beacon for activists” for embattled activists “for embattled activists and others in Uganda. The lesson is that “we must allow young people the opportunity to shape, and participate in, politics in a meaningful way,” he said.
Bobi’s wine, Museveni’s main challenger, sent “heartfelt feelings” to Mamdani.
“From Uganda, we celebrate and celebrate the strength from your example as we work to build a country where every citizen can realize their greatest dreams regardless of meaning and background,” the 43-year-old wrote in x.
Joel Ssenyyi, the leader of the opposition leader in the Uganda Parliament, told the AP he sees Mamdani’s victory as a far-reaching political shift but still too far from many Africans at home.
“It’s a big boost even to us here in Uganda that it’s possible,” Ssenyyi said. “But we have a long way to go to get there.”
Respect to the French-Presse and the The Associated Press contributed reporting