Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic candidate for mayor of NYC, has been a vocal critic of Airbnb, advocating for the “abolition of private property.” Yet, it has come to light that his affluent parents have been renting out their luxurious Ugandan estate on the platform for nearly ten years, as reported by The Post.
The upscale property, featuring five bedrooms and four bathrooms, is owned by Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia University, and Mira Nair, a filmmaker nominated for an Academy Award. This villa boasts stunning views of Lake Victoria and is surrounded by two acres of lush greenery where monkeys roam, according to an active Airbnb listing that has been running for eight years.
This lavish home starkly contrasts the image that their socialist son attempts to convey during his campaign, even while facing criticism for living in an affordable rent-stabilized apartment in Queens despite his wealthy background.
The listing does not disclose the property’s exact location but includes a Google Maps image correlating to the Mamdani family’s gated estate situated in the affluent Buziga Hill area near Kampala.
The listing captivates potential guests with phrases like, “This space allows you to experience an artistic abode while enjoying natural sounds. The iconic film Mississippi Masala was also shot here!”—referring to the romantic comedy directed by Nair.
“The birdlife is extraordinary, and there are friendly monkeys at dawn. The property is staffed with experienced housekeepers and gardeners, making it a rare artistic sanctuary just 20 minutes from downtown Kampala. Ideal for families and groups,” the listing enthuses.
The estate—where Mamdani wed artist Rama Duwaji in a lavish three-day celebration in July—boasts a five-star rating on the rental site, with numerous guests lauding their experiences in enthusiastic reviews.
Pricing is variable.
A four-day, three-night stay from October 24-27 is available for $1,021—approximately $340 per night. Meanwhile, a three-day, two-night holiday booking from December 23-25 costs nearly $667—or about $333.45 per night.
The property remains available for booking almost every day until March, with nine days already reserved for next month.
Guests can enjoy amenities such as a 15-meter in-ground lap pool, a badminton court, beautifully decorated bedrooms filled with art, and a verandah equipped with a sizable dining table and an Indian Tandoor oven with views of the lake, frequented by trumpeter hornbills.
Staffed in a manner befitting their social class, the grounds have two armed security personnel on night patrol, along with housekeepers and a skilled cook specializing in Indian and continental dishes, available to prepare two meals daily for 50,000 Ugandan shillings (around $14.35 USD), as detailed in the listing.
There are two gardeners dedicated to maintaining “the exquisite gardens, swimming pool, badminton court, and table tennis,” as touted by the listing.
A masseuse named Jessica offers an hour-long “aromatherapy” massage for $40.
Laundry services are also available for $15.
Despite enjoying such high-end amenities in Africa—which his family profits from—Mamdani remains a staunch critic of Airbnb.
On January 23, he expressed on X his opposition to Airbnb’s initiative to convert homes into short-term rentals, amid a historic housing crisis in NYC.
The assemblyman referenced the impending City Council proposal aimed at exempting one- and two-family homes from stricter regulations imposed on Airbnb due to numerous complaints regarding problematic hosts.
Republican mayoral contender Curtis Sliwa remarked that this revelation about Mamdani represents yet another instance of him “living a dual life” and “instructing others to ‘do as I say, not as I do.’”
“He’s a trust-fund baby,” Sliwa explained to The Post. “He was raised in privilege, completely sheltered, and views himself as superior. What applies to everyone else doesn’t seem to matter to him. In his perspective, the double standard is totally acceptable.”
Notably, one of the most prominent labor unions supporting Mamdani’s mayoral aspirations is the influential Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, opposing Airbnb due to its perceived negative impact on the hotel industry and unionized jobs.
Conversely, a super PAC backing Airbnb, known as “Affordable New York,” has invested over $3.6 million this year to aid candidates at both city and state levels who favor short-term rentals, spending $440,533 specifically to produce advertisements contesting Mamdani’s campaign.
Mamdani’s parents, Nair, 67, and Mahmood Mamdani, 78—a political theorist known for his anti-Israel stance—reside part-time at their Ugandan estate while also spending time in New York and New Delhi.
Having moved to New York at the age of 7, the 33-year-old candidate obtained U.S. citizenship in 2018.
The Airbnb listing currently lists “Delia” as the property host; however, older reviews refer to someone named “Mira”—likely Nair—indicating she may have previously managed the rental. The precise timing of the host change remains unclear.
“Mira’s place was utterly magnificent,” remarked Molly from New York in a five-star review dated December 2017.
“The location is stunning, offering breathtaking views. We were greeted with exquisite hospitality, and amenities were readily accessible. We cannot express enough positive sentiments about the stay; it was ideal.”
Another guest recently noted that the experience was wonderful, adding, “One of the memorable parts was watching monkeys play around the property—such a unique experience!”
However, the guest also mentioned, “Communication with the owner could have been a bit quicker.”
The news that Mamdani’s family has made their estate available for short-term rental on Airbnb was first highlighted on X by conservative commentator Laura Loomer.
Mamdani’s campaign opted not to comment.
