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.”…