Phone Jammers And Masked Commandos: Inside Zohran Mamdani’s High-Security Wedding In Uganda

Last Updated:July 28, 2025, 08:46 IST

Over 20 special forces commandos and a phone jammer were deployed at NYC mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani’s family estate in Kampala during his three-day wedding

Zohran Mamdani who married Rama Duwaji held a private celebration in Uganda. (Photo: Instagram/@lmf_dubai)

New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani recently marked his wedding with a lavish, three-day celebration at his family’s sprawling estate in Uganda, featuring military-style security, a phone-jamming system, and tightly controlled access, The New York Post reported.

The event took place at the Mamdani family’s luxury compound in the upscale Buziga Hill area on the outskirts of Kampala. The estate, spread over two acres, features lush gardens, panoramic views of Lake Victoria, and is protected by at least three security gates. The neighbourhood is home to some of Uganda’s wealthiest, including billionaire businessman Godfrey Kirumira. Houses nearby are valued at over $1 million.

Mamdani, 33, married Syrian-born artist and animator Rama Duwaji, 27, earlier this year. The celebration followed multiple earlier ceremonies — an engagement and wedding in Dubai in December, followed by a civil ceremony in New York. Mamdani and Duwaji met on the dating app Hinge and now live together in a rent-stabilised apartment in Astoria.

The Uganda celebration, which Mamdani had announced on Instagram, was attended by guests arriving in buses, several Mercedes-Benz cars, and a Range Rover. The estate was decked with Christmas lights strung across tree canopies. Fruit juice stations and a local DJ added to the celebratory atmosphere. One night, Mamdani was heard addressing guests over a microphone, with the party going on until after midnight.

Security at the event was described as unusually tight, even by VIP standards. Over 20 special forces command unit guards, some in masks, were deployed around the property. A phone-jamming system was also in place to prevent leaks. “Outside the Mamdani house were more than 20 special forces command unit guards, some in masks, and there was a phone-jamming system set up — and all for the strictly invite-only Mamdani event," a witness told The Post. “One gate had around nine guards stationed at it."

By Friday, military-style tents were being dismantled, and Mamdani’s private security resumed gate duty. “Flowers were also left in a pile on the ground near one of the security gates," The Post noted.

Mamdani had shared on Instagram that he was heading to his homeland to celebrate with his filmmaker mother Mira Nair and academic father Mahmood Mamdani.

While the festivities continued, the neighbourhood was in mourning following the death of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who lived nearby and passed away on July 14. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni visited the area to pay his respects, briefly blocking the street with his motorcade.

The timing of Mamdani’s event drew criticism from some residents who considered it culturally insensitive during a period of mourning, locally known as Okukungubaga. “He has not even been buried, and we have his friends coming to give last words and to mourn before the burial next week, yet Mamdani is celebrating his wedding for three days," one resident told The New York Post. Another added, “Because of the culture here, it was insensitive to have a wedding celebration in the same week as mourning."

Despite the high-profile nature of the event, it remained largely under the radar for many locals.

Mamdani has not publicly commented on the event but posted an Instagram video addressing anticipated media coverage. Holding mocked-up newspaper covers, one reading “M.I.A.: MAMDANI IN AFRICA," he joked, “Since you will undoubtedly read about this trip in The New York Post — Inshallah on the front page — here are a few of my humble suggestions for headlines."

He would remain in Uganda until the end of the month.

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