Zohran Mamdani's elopement and 3-day luxe wedding with cell jammers and armed guards sparks Ugandan backlash
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Uganda Wedding Sparks Criticism for NYC Mayoral Nominee Zohran Mamdani
Heavy Security: Special Forces, Guards and Phone Jammers
Three-Day Celebration at Family Compound Near Kampala
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Luxe Arrival: Mercedes, Range Rovers and Exclusive Guest List
Zohran Mamdani's Wedding Held During National Mourning in Uganda
Mamdani Posts Personal Message About the Trip on X
US State Department Warns Against Travel to Uganda
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: New York City's Democratic mayoral nominee, Zohran Mamdani , made headlines this week for his extravagant wedding celebration in Uganda, a three-day, invitation-only fiesta at his family's private compound near Kampala that featured masked special forces, dozens of armed guards, and even a cellphone jamming system, as per The New York Post report.Mamdani, who surprised many by securing the Democratic nomination, quietly eloped earlier this year with 27-year-old illustrator Rama Duwaji in Queens, as per the report. Now they travelled to Uganda for the big celebration, which took place in the wealthy Buziga Hill area of Kampala in a compound owned by his parents, as per the Daily Mail report.ALSO READ: Trump offered Crimea to Russia? Austria's shocking claim about secret war deal - but Putin still chose war Sources told the New York Post that the compound was heavily fortified, one entrance had nine guards alone, and overall, more than 20 masked special forces command unit members patrolled the property, as per the report. A cellphone jamming device was also deployed to ensure privacy during the festivities, according to the New York Post.Located in the upscale Buziga Hill area, Mamdani's family compound sits on two scenic acres overlooking Lake Victoria, as per the report. Family members include his father, a Columbia University professor, and his mother, a movie director, as reported by the New York Post.ALSO READ: Chaos in Reno: Multiple shot at casino before police apprehend suspect in wild shootout Attendees—including close friends and family—arrived via Mercedes, Range Rovers, and buses, as per the New York Post. They celebrated with food, music, and dancing across multiple days, and when the bash was over, Mamdani's personal security reportedly appeared to take over as the military guards left, as reported by The New York Post.The festivities coincided with a period of national mourning after the death of former Ugandan Supreme Court Judge George Kanyeihamba, who was Mamdani's neighbour and passed away on July 14, as per the report.A source told the New York Post, "People are still in mourning," and called the wedding celebration "insensitive," as quoted in the report.Last Sunday, Mamdani posted a video on his social media X page, saying that he was "going back to Uganda. I'm heading there in a personal capacity to celebrate Rama and I's marriage with our family and friends," and then joked, "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," as quoted in the New York Post.Mamdani's extra security for the wedding comes after the US State Department, in its travel advisory on Uganda, urges Americans to "reconsider travel" to the country because of the threat of "crime, terrorism, and laws targeting persons on the basis of sexual orientation. Exercise increased caution due to potential security risks and the unpredictable nature of public demonstrations," as reported by the New York Post.He married Rama Duwaji, a 27-year-old illustrator. The two reportedly eloped earlier in Queens.The wedding took place at Mamdani's family compound in Buziga Hill, a wealthy area outside Kampala, Uganda, as per the New York Post.
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