New York City’s youngest-ever mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has won hearts both in the States and Uganda, not just for his historic political achievement, but also for his love of football.
The 34-year-old revealed on Thursday that he is a staunch supporter of English Premier League giants Arsenal, who currently top the standings in the 2025/26 season.
Speaking to Sky News, Mamdani said: “I am an Arsenal fan. I spent many days in my youth watching the transfer window close in its final hours.”
While politics and football might seem worlds apart, for Mamdani this is could continue to be a year of milestones, personally, professionally, and for his beloved club as they chase a Premier League title that has eluded them for nearly 22 years.
But Mamdani’s story also resonates deeply in Uganda, where he was born in Muyenga, a suburb of Kampala.
He lived there until age five before his family moved to South Africa, eventually settling in the United States.
Despite spending most of his life abroad, he retains strong ties to his birth country, including owning four acres of land in Jinja near the source of the Nile.
With his Ugandan roots and love for Arsenal, Mamdani shows a mix of local pride and global outlook, qualities that have helped him become mayor of one of the world’s biggest cities
