While most political candidates spend every spare second on the campaign trail, New York City’s far-left mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani recently made headlines for something far more personal — and far more extravagant.
The 33-year-old state assemblyman stepped away from the hustle of New York politics to celebrate his marriage in a lavish, multi-day event hosted at his family’s compound in Uganda.
This wasn’t your average wedding. The celebration, which spanned three days, took place on Buziga Hill in Kampala — one of Uganda’s wealthiest neighborhoods — in a private estate owned by Mamdani’s parents.
According to local reports, the event was tightly guarded with armed, masked security, and even featured cellphone jammers to keep things private.
Critics Call It “Trust Fund Socialism”
While Mamdani and his wife, 27-year-old illustrator Rama Duwaji, were toasting their love, the political criticism back home didn’t slow down.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who lost the Democratic nomination to Mamdani but remains in the race as an independent, took to social media to mock the wedding.
In a cheeky online poll, he asked followers whether Mamdani’s party amounted to “champagne socialism” or “trust fund socialism.”
The timing of the celebration also rubbed some locals in Uganda the wrong way, especially since the country was mourning the loss of former Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba.
The large, festive gathering even blocked the Ugandan president from reaching the judge’s family to offer his condolences, adding more fuel to the criticism.
Meet Rama Duwaji, the Quiet Force Beside Mamdani
Mamdani’s wife Rama had largely stayed out of the spotlight during her husband’s primary race, which led to some political opponents accusing Mamdani of “hiding his wife from NYC.”
But that changed when she joined him on stage during his primary victory, proudly supporting her husband and later expressing on Instagram that she “couldn’t possibly be prouder” of him.
While her Instagram bio says she’s from Damascus, Mamdani’s team clarified she was actually born in Texas.
Rama is a professional illustrator and animator whose work frequently explores themes of justice, politics, and the Palestinian cause.
Her pieces have appeared in major venues, including the Tate Modern in London and media outlets like the New Yorker and the BBC.
Politics Gets Personal
As criticism mounted over his wife’s low profile and their private wedding, Mamdani took to Instagram to hit back.
Sharing photos from their earlier civil ceremony, he acknowledged that politics can be “vicious,” especially when it starts targeting loved ones.
“You can critique my views, but not my family,” he wrote.
“Rama isn’t just my wife — she’s an incredible artist who deserves to be known on her own terms.”
A Candidate with Big Ideas and Limited Experience
Mamdani’s meteoric rise — from state assemblyman to Democratic nominee for NYC mayor — has caught many by surprise, not least because of his limited legislative track record.
In Albany, he co-sponsored a few progressive bills, including those focused on transgender rights, immigration protections, and eco-friendly product packaging.
Still, critics argue that his inexperience could spell trouble for the city.
Some warn that his leadership might steer New York back toward the kind of social unrest and instability seen during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
When asked about his lack of experience during an interview with Good Morning America, Mamdani sidestepped his record, saying instead that he brings a “new kind of city” vision — one free of “old ways.”
A Platform That Polarizes
There’s no doubt Mamdani’s policies are bold — and controversial.
He’s called for free childcare, city-owned grocery stores, rent freezes, and a $65 million investment in transgender healthcare.
He also supports defunding the NYPD, raising taxes on New York’s wealthiest residents (though the mayor doesn’t have direct authority to do so), and turning city buses into a free public service.
But perhaps his most polarizing positions are on foreign policy.
Mamdani has defended pro-Palestinian slogans like “globalize the intifada,” which critics say promotes violence, and has gone as far as saying he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if given the chance.
What’s Next for Mamdani?
With the general election ahead and national attention growing, Mamdani’s next moves will be under a magnifying glass.
Can a proudly socialist, fiercely anti-establishment candidate really take the reins of America’s biggest city? And will his personal choices — like hosting a luxury wedding abroad — hurt his credibility with working-class voters?
One thing’s for sure: Zohran Mamdani’s campaign is anything but boring.