New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is under renewed fire from conservatives after revelations that his wealthy parents have been quietly renting out their lavish Ugandan compound on Airbnb for nearly a decade, this despite Mamdani’s long-standing criticisms of the short-term rental platform and his public calls for “the abolition of private property.”
From Uganda to New York
The African estate, owned by Columbia University professor Mahmood Mamdani and acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair, is a five-bedroom, four-bath villa overlooking Lake Victoria. The gated property sits on Buziga Hill, one of the wealthiest communities outside Kampala. According to the active Airbnb listing, guests enjoy two acres of landscaped grounds frequented by monkeys, a 15-meter lap pool, a badminton court, and bedrooms decorated with art. The listing highlights that Nair’s 1991 film featuring Denzel Washington, “Mississippi Masala,” was shot on the property.
Rates run into the hundreds per night. A recent three-night stay in October was listed at $1,021, while Christmas dates cost more than $650 for two nights. The home has received glowing five-star reviews praising its views, hospitality, and unique wildlife.
The amenities are far from modest: armed guards patrol the compound, housekeepers manage daily upkeep, and a cook prepares meals for an additional fee. Guests can also book on-site massages for $40. Older reviews directly thanked “Mira,” though the listing now identifies the host as “Delia.”
The revelation lands awkwardly for Mamdani, who has harshly criticized Airbnb’s role in New York’s housing market. On Jan. 23, he posted that he “strongly oppose[s] Airbnb’s legislation to turn thousands of homes into short-term tourist rentals,” aligning with labor unions that argue the platform threatens hotel jobs.
Still, it is important to note, the Airbnb market in Buziga Hill, Uganda, is not the same as the market in New York City. Airbnb’s site shows very few active listings for “Upper Buziga, Makindye Division.” There’s only just 1-2 entire homes it seems. Compare this to the hundreds of Airbnb offering in the five boroughs of New York City.
Yet conservatives, including Laura Loomer and Meghan McCain, have long labeled Mamdani a “nepo baby,” pointing to his privileged upbringing and his parents’ multimillion-dollar net worth. Right-wingers argue that his affluent background conflicts with his working-class messaging and socialist platform.
Mamdani, born in Kampala and raised between Uganda and New York, has acknowledged growing up in Columbia University-owned housing and attending elite schools before entering politics. While he now lives in a rent-stabilized Astoria apartment and lists limited personal assets, his family maintains homes in Uganda, New York, and New Delhi.
