Ugandans react with joy after Kampala-born Mamdani’s victory during a trying time for democracy in east Africa Ugandans react with joy after Kampala-born Mamdani’s victory during a trying time for democracy in east Africa Ugandans reacted with joy and hope to the news that Kampala-born Zohran Mamdani had been elected mayor of New York City , amid a stormy democratic and rights environment in east Africa. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda 34 years ago to a family of Indian origin, on Tuesday