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Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic mayoral nominee in New York City, recently celebrated his marriage in Uganda with a three-day exclusive event that featured masked military security and a cellphone jamming system.
The festivities took place at Mamdani’s family’s private compound in a wealthy area outside of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, as reported by the New York Post.
The socialist candidate married illustrator Rama Duwaji earlier this year.
“Outside the Mamdani house were more than 20 special forces command unit guards, some wearing masks, and a phone-jamming system was in place for the invite-only event,” a witness told the Post. “One gate had around nine guards stationed at it,” they added.
Last Sunday, Mamdani posted a video announcing his trip to Uganda to celebrate his marriage. He assured his followers that he would return to New York City by the end of the month.
Buses, several Mercedes, and a Range Rover transported guests to the celebration on Tuesday, according to the Post.
Attendees enjoyed music, food, and dancing during the celebration, and when it ended, Mamdani’s personal security took over as the military guards departed.
The wedding celebration coincided with the mourning of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who was a neighbor of Mamdani’s family and passed away on July 14.
“People are still in mourning,” one person told the Post, criticizing the timing of the celebration as “insensitive.”
At one point, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s caravan blocked the street when he visited the neighborhood to pay his respects.
Mamdani’s family home is located on two acres of land with views of Lake Victoria in a wealthy area known as Buziga Hill. His father is a professor at Columbia University, and his mother is a movie director.
The compound has at least three security gates, each monitored by masked security guards.
The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory on Uganda advises Americans to “reconsider travel” to the country due to security risks.
Mamdani, who was born in Uganda and became a U.S. citizen seven years ago, surprised many by winning the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City last month. However, some in the Democratic establishment have yet to fully support the socialist nominee.
