Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Actor Avan Jogia Reacts to Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Mayor Win, Highlighting Ugandan-Indian Roots
A famous actor named Avan Jogia, who is also of Indian and Ugandan background, got really happy when another person named Zohran Mamdani won a big election to become the mayor of New York City.
Zohran is also from Uganda and has Indian roots.
Avan shared online that seeing Zohran, who is a politician, connect with many different people, especially with a special bracelet called a rakhi, meant a lot to him.
This made lots of people talk about how many famous people, like actors and singers, come from Uganda and India.
Some of them even share a Gujarati background.
It also reminded people of history, like how many Indians moved to Uganda a long time ago when Britain ruled there, and how some had to leave later but later returned.
It's like a big family story spread across the world, and seeing someone like Zohran succeed feels good to many who share this background.
Actor Avan Jogia reacted to Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral win, highlighting their shared Ugandan-Indian heritage.
Jogia's Instagram post noted the significance of seeing a politician with a rakhi, representing their shared cultural background.
The reactions brought attention to other prominent figures of Ugandan-Indian and Gujarati descent, including Naomi Scott and Charli XCX.
The discussion touched upon the historical migration of Indians to Uganda under British rule and subsequent expulsions and returns.
Zohran Mamdani is the mayor-elect of NYC, born in Uganda to Indian parents, while Jogia has British Indian roots and family ties to Uganda.
- Who
- Zohran Mamdani, Avan Jogia, Naomi Scott, Charli XCX, Idi Amin, Yoweri Museveni
- What
- Actor Avan Jogia publicly reacted to Zohran Mamdani's NYC mayoral victory, sparking discussions about their shared Ugandan-Indian heritage and the broader historical context of the Indian diaspora.
- When
- November 4 (Mamdani's win), November 7 (Jogia's reaction), March 2015 (Jogia's historical tweet), 1894 and 1972 (historical events in Uganda), Post-Idi Amin era (Ugandan policy changes).
- Where
- New York City, USA; Uganda; United Kingdom; Canada.
- Why
- Jogia's reaction highlighted the significance of seeing a person of his own multi-cultural background achieve a landmark victory, prompting wider reflection on the shared Ugandan-Indian and Gujarati heritage among notable figures and the historical circumstances that led to this diaspora.
Celebration of Shared Heritage
Historical Context and Colonialism
Significance of Ugandan-Indian Identity
Celebration of Shared Heritage
Avan Jogia's reaction to Zohran Mamdani's win, specifically mentioning the 'rakhi on his wrist,' highlights the emotional significance of seeing a politician of shared Ugandan-Indian heritage succeed in American politics. This resonated with others of similar backgrounds, sparking conversations about the 'Gujarati core' and a sense of healing and pride.
Historical Context and Colonialism
Some reactions delved into the historical reasons for the presence of Indians in Uganda, linking it to British colonialism and the subsequent expulsion and return of the Indian diaspora. This perspective frames the shared heritage within a broader, complex historical narrative.
- Zohran Mamdani
- Mayor-elect of New York City, born in Uganda to Indian parents (father Gujarati Muslim, mother Punjabi Hindu).
- Avan Jogia
- Actor, co-founder of Straight But Not Narrow, of British Indian descent, with family ties to Uganda.
- Naomi Scott
- Actress, mother has Ugandan-Gujarati Indian descent.
- Charli XCX
- Singer, half Indian (mother from Gujarati family in Uganda), half English.
- Historical Context
- Indians were brought to Uganda under British rule in 1894; tens of thousands were expelled in 1972 under Idi Amin and resettled in places like the US, Canada, and the UK.
- Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni
- Encouraged the return of Indians to Uganda in the post-Amin era.
