Zohran Mamdani, a hopeful candidate for New York City Mayor, married in a secluded Ugandan ceremony, wrapped in secrecy and unparalleled security measures.
The Ugandan wedding venue was under military-grade protection. Over 20 guards from a special forces unit took charge of security at Mamdani's household. Guards stood wearing masks, and mobile phone jammers prevented attendees from sharing any photos or videos from the event.
According to reports from the New York Post, the celebrations spanned three days at the family's luxurious estate in Uganda. The 33-year-old Mamdani tied the knot with 27-year-old animator artist Rama Duwaji earlier this year in New York. However, this Ugandan ceremony in Kampala saw the assembly of family and close friends.
The couple's tale began on a dating app
Mamdani and Rama’s journey started when they met on the dating app, Hinge. They married in New York City earlier this year, following a 2024 engagement in Dubai. Zohran is the Democratic Party's candidate for New York's 2025 Mayor elections. He secured a victory in the June 2025 Democratic Primary, triumphing over former governor Andrew Cuomo.
Born in Kampala, Uganda, Mamdani relocated to New York at the age of seven and became a U.S. citizen in 2018. He serves as a Democratic Socialist in the New York State Assembly and is the son of Indian film director Mira Nair. The Mamdani family shares deep connections with Uganda, as his father, Mahmood Mamdani, is a renowned Ugandan academic and writer.
Who is Rama Duwaji?
Rama Duwaji is a 27-year-old illustrator and animator of Syrian descent, residing in Brooklyn, New York City. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University and holds a master's degree from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her roots trace back to Damascus, Syria, though she was born in Texas. Her family currently resides in Dubai.
