The New York City mayoral contest took a sharp turn when independent candidate and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo criticised socialist contender Zohran Mamdani regarding his property ownership in Uganda, a country known for its anti-LGBT stance.On Tuesday, Cuomo posted on X: “The no-show assemblyman missed this interview while vacationing at his parents’ compound in Uganda, a country that murders LGBTQIA+ people. Silence is violence. I hereby call on you to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction your property in Uganda and commit to stop spending tourism dollars there until they overturn their hateful, discriminatory laws which violate basic human rights.”Uganda-born Mamdani has received scrutiny for spending late June at his family’s compound in Uganda. The New York Post reported that his wedding celebration there was protected by armed security personnel.Cuomo also called him the chameleon assemblyman and said, “irst you were defund the police, now defund is “out of step” with your current view. Meanwhile, the DSA is bragging around town that they own you and their position is as clear as day… defund the police all the way to 0. Do you believe anything? Or will you just say whatever it takes?”Curtis Sliwa, a Republican opponent, pointed out the inconsistency in Mamdani’s stance of advocating police defunding for New York residents while utilising extensive security during his overseas wedding. Cuomo’s statement referenced Mamdani’s ongoing support for BDS and sanctions against Israel, positions he has maintained since university.The Mamdani campaign was contacted by Fox News Digital for response. Uganda’s stance against LGBT individuals has been consistent, with its Constitutional Court recently upholding legislation that permits capital punishment for “aggravated homosexuality.”Mamdani’s campaign website addresses LGBT issues: “Queer and trans people across the United States are facing an increasingly hostile political environment. New York City must be a refuge for LGBTQIA+ people, but private institutions in our own city have already started capitulating to Trump’s assault on trans rights. Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis confronting working class people across the city hits the LGBTQIA+ community particularly hard, with higher rates of unemployment and homelessness than the rest of the city. The Mamdani administration will protect LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers by expanding and protecting gender-affirming care citywide, making NYC an LGBTQIA+ sanctuary city, and creating the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.“
