Ugandan-born NYC Mayor Elect Sparks Hope for Change at Home
The unexpected victory of 34-year-old leftist Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral race has sent ripples of excitement across Uganda, where the young Muslim's ascension to power is being hailed as a beacon of hope for a country long ruled by authoritarian President Yoweri Museveni.
For many Ugandans, Mamdani's improbable rise to prominence carries an inspiring message in a nation where democracy is under siege. The president, who has been in power since before Mamdani was born, is seeking a seventh term in January elections, sparking fears of a volatile transition.
"Mamdani's success encourages us," said Joel Ssenyonyi, a 38-year-old opposition leader in the Parliament of Uganda. "It shows that even in the most powerful democracy, it's possible to challenge the status quo and bring about change."
The young politician's victory has resonated with Ugandans who face repressive political conditions under Museveni's rule. While Mamdani's promises to tackle inequality and push back against xenophobia are seen as a welcome change in Washington, opposition politicians in Uganda face different challenges.
Museveni has been cracking down on his opponents ahead of next year's elections, including veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was abducted and arraigned in a military court last year. Tens of supporters of the National Unity Platform party have also been convicted by Uganda's military courts for various offenses.
However, not everyone is critical of Mamdani's win. Robert Kyagulanyi, 43-year-old entertainer and leader of the NUP party, said that his party's own struggles to effect change in Uganda are an inspiration to see a young person like Mamdani succeed on the world stage.
"From Uganda, we celebrate and draw strength from your example," Wine wrote on X. "We should allow young people to shape and participate in politics in a meaningful way."
For many Ugandans, including university students, the new mayor-elect's success has sparked a sense of optimism about their own potential for change. Anthony Kirabo, 22-year-old psychology student at Makerere University, said Mamdani's win "makes me feel good and proud of my country because it shows that Uganda can produce some good leaders."
"It makes me think I can also make it," he added.
The unexpected victory of 34-year-old leftist Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral race has sent ripples of excitement across Uganda, where the young Muslim's ascension to power is being hailed as a beacon of hope for a country long ruled by authoritarian President Yoweri Museveni.
For many Ugandans, Mamdani's improbable rise to prominence carries an inspiring message in a nation where democracy is under siege. The president, who has been in power since before Mamdani was born, is seeking a seventh term in January elections, sparking fears of a volatile transition.
"Mamdani's success encourages us," said Joel Ssenyonyi, a 38-year-old opposition leader in the Parliament of Uganda. "It shows that even in the most powerful democracy, it's possible to challenge the status quo and bring about change."
The young politician's victory has resonated with Ugandans who face repressive political conditions under Museveni's rule. While Mamdani's promises to tackle inequality and push back against xenophobia are seen as a welcome change in Washington, opposition politicians in Uganda face different challenges.
Museveni has been cracking down on his opponents ahead of next year's elections, including veteran opposition figure Kizza Besigye, who was abducted and arraigned in a military court last year. Tens of supporters of the National Unity Platform party have also been convicted by Uganda's military courts for various offenses.
However, not everyone is critical of Mamdani's win. Robert Kyagulanyi, 43-year-old entertainer and leader of the NUP party, said that his party's own struggles to effect change in Uganda are an inspiration to see a young person like Mamdani succeed on the world stage.
"From Uganda, we celebrate and draw strength from your example," Wine wrote on X. "We should allow young people to shape and participate in politics in a meaningful way."
For many Ugandans, including university students, the new mayor-elect's success has sparked a sense of optimism about their own potential for change. Anthony Kirabo, 22-year-old psychology student at Makerere University, said Mamdani's win "makes me feel good and proud of my country because it shows that Uganda can produce some good leaders."
"It makes me think I can also make it," he added.
! like, who wouldn't want a young muslim dude from nyc running thier country? 
his win is like, super inspiring 4 all the oppressed ppl in Uganda, esp those who r strugglin 2 speak out against museveni's gov 
. we need more leaders like mamdani who r willin 2 challenge th status quo & bring about real change 
. btw, it's so heartening 2 c young ppl like Anthony Kirabo (lol @ "it makes me think i can also make it") gettin all excited & hopeful about their future 
. his win shows ppl they dont have to be held back by the system and its so inspiring for all those young ppl growing up there. maybe one day we'll see some kinda change in uganda too 
. hope mamdani stays true to himself and brings about real positive change 
they're super hyped about zohran mamdani's win & it's like, totally inspiring for them 
he's like a breath of fresh air after years of museveni's rule 
& now ppl r hoping 4 change 
hopefully it'll spread to the rest of uganda too 
and how will mamdani deal with all that? 
anyway, i love that people are seeing hope in him and wanting change in their country... it's so inspiring! 
Zohran Mamdani's win is a major deal for Uganda and it's awesome to see young people getting involved in politics 
? Of course, Museveni's been in power for ages and that's gotta change 
. The fact that many Ugandans are feeling hopeful again is all the motivation they need to keep pushing for change 
. It's time for Uganda to see some real change 
.
for Uganda right now! His win in NYC is inspiring and I love how Ugandans are seeing him as a symbol of hope for change 
. Anyway, it's awesome that young people like Anthony Kirabo are feeling empowered by Mamdani's win – it's a reminder that anyone can make a difference 
. Did we discuss Zohran's views on economic growth before?
mamdani's victory is defo a vibe for change in uganda. i mean, the guy's like 34 and just became mayor, what's next? 
We need to see more than just some tokenistic gestures from politicians who suddenly care about social justice... 
!
and the fact that his party's leader, robert kyagulanyi, is supporting him is like, super cool 
let's keep our fingers crossed for a brighter future for uganda! 
I mean, a 34-yr-old Muslim guy from Uganda winning NYC mayor? That's like a dream come true for the Ugandan people! They've been stuck under Museveni's authoritarian rule for ages, and now they have someone who looks like them in one of the most powerful positions in the world. It's like a beacon of hope, bro