‘Champagne Socialist’: Zohran Mamdani under fire for 3-day lavish wedding bash in Uganda

New York’s mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani celebrated his recent marriage with a three-day-long exclusive bash in his native Uganda. The socialist candidate married Syrian illustrator Rama Duwaji, after previous ceremonies in Dubai (Nikah) and New York City (civil ceremony) in February 2025.The event, held at his parents’ million-dollar estate in Kampala’s upscale Buziga Hill, featured military-style security, masked guards and a phone-jamming system. According to a report by the New York Post, the estate, situated on two acres of land, overlooks Lake Victoria and boasts at least three security gates.
As per the local sources to The NYP, the house was turned into a high-security party zone, with people arriving in expensive vehicles, music playing late into the night, and guards stationed at the gates wearing masks and military-style gear.
And now the 33-year-old Democratic Socialist assemblyman is facing backlash online for his lavish three-day wedding celebration in Uganda. The event drew criticism online. Social media users highlighted the disparity between Mamdani’s political program, which includes calls for rent freezes, police budget cuts, and improved housing rights, and the lavish party.Mamdani’s wedding celebration coincided with the mourning of a prominent Ugandan judge, George Kanyeihamba, who passed away on July 14, sparking criticism over the timing.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni visited the neighbourhood to pay his respects to the late judge, with the street being blocked by the president’s cars, according to a local.

Online critics dubbed Mamdani a ‘champagne socialist,’ questioning the optics of his high-security wedding.

“Zohran Mamdani called ICE agents in masks ‘militarised oppression.’ Then flew to Uganda for his own wedding bash, guarded by masked riflemen, military tents, and a phone-jamming system – all at his millionaire family’s compound. ICE for thee, private militia for me. Revolution sponsored by generational wealth,” a user wrote.

Zohran Mamdani called ICE agents in masks “militarized oppression.”

Then flew to Uganda for his own wedding bash, guarded by masked riflemen, military tents, and a phone-jamming system — all at his millionaire family’s compound.ICE for thee, private militia for me.… https://t.co/GSdsjezTwt

– Sam e. Antar (@Samantar) July 26, 2025

Another said, “Three separate wedding celebrations in NYC, Dubai, and Uganda. It is always the same with these champagne socialists. It is remarkable how many avowed socialists during my undergrad in Trinity spent their study breaks skiing.”

“Mamdani clearly doesn’t see the irony-his wealth and lavish lifestyle, including that Uganda wedding bash with armed guards, stem directly from capitalism. As a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, he thrives while pushing policies like defunding the NYPD and rent freezes that could financially ruin everyone else,” a user wrote.

In an X video posted on July 20, Mamdani announced that he was visiting Uganda to celebrate his and Rama’s wedding. “Good morning! I’m in Uganda to visit family and friends. But depending on your perspective, don’t worry or I’m sorry: I’ll be back by the end of the month. See you soon, NYC,” the caption of the video read.

Good morning! I’m in Uganda to visit family and friends.

But depending on your perspective, don’t worry or I’m sorry: I’ll be back by the end of the month.

See you soon, NYC. pic.twitter.com/fIOf5NcZqy

– Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@zohrankmamdani) July 20, 2025