Veteran journalist Simon Muyanga Lutaaya has commended newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani for his historic victory, describing him as a proud son of Uganda and a symbol of the country’s growing global influence.
Speaking during the NBS Morning Breeze program on Friday, Muyanga lauded Mamdani’s rise as both extraordinary and deeply connected to his Ugandan heritage.
“Zohran has very strong links here in Uganda. He is really Ugandan. The Mamdani legacy is a big one. Whatever performance Zohran makes in New York, he has already entered into the record books,” Muyanga said.
Mamdani, a Ugandan-American born in Kampala, made history earlier this week when he was elected Mayor of New York City at just 34 years old, becoming the youngest person to hold the office since 1892. Running on the Democratic Party ticket, he triumphed over high-profile contenders including Andrew Cuomo (Independent) and Curtis Sliwa (Republican).
Muyanga then turned to Kampala’s flood crisis, warning that the debate around the Nakivubo Channel redevelopment had become too emotional and politically charged.
“The Nakivubo Channel story has become very complicated because it is riddled with emotion and conflict. It has become a Ham–Lukwago issue, and we are not dealing with the real problem. Kampala’s flood problem has been here for over 40 years,” Muyanga said.
Muyanga’s remarks come amid severe flash floods that have recently paralyzed parts of the capital following persistent heavy rains. Over the past few weeks, torrential downpours have overwhelmed drainage systems across Kampala, submerging major business districts and low-lying suburbs such as Kisenyi, Katwe, Bwaise, and areas surrounding the Nakivubo Channel.
The flooding has disrupted commerce, transport, and livelihoods, leading to renewed scrutiny of the Nakivubo redevelopment project spearheaded by businessman Hamis Kiggundu, widely known as Ham.
While initially marketed as a modern infrastructure upgrade aimed at improving drainage and urban aesthetics, critics now allege that portions of the redevelopment may have obstructed natural water flow, exacerbating the city’s long-standing flood vulnerabilities.
As public frustration grows, Muyanga urged leaders and stakeholders to put aside personal and political rivalries and focus on sustainable urban planning and flood mitigation.
“This is not about commercialisation of politics. It’s about addressing a crisis that has plagued Kampala for decades. We need a lasting solution to Kampala’s flood crisis.”