Resurfaced Mamdani interview ignites internet frenzy over alleged 'fake' Ugandan accent

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. A 2016 radio interview promoting his mother's Disney film, Queen of Katwe, resurfaced recently, prompting a wave of criticism on social media. (Credit: YouTube/Kaya 959 - Oct.14, 2016) A resurfaced 2016 interview with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sparked conservative backlash Wednesday after critics accused him of using a "fake" Ugandan accent while promoting his mother's Disney film. While promoting Queen of Katwe during a 2016 interview on South Africa's Kaya 959 radio station, Mamdani discussed Ugandan culture, dance and music, telling the host he was "from Uganda" but also grew up in New York. "The difference for me is I'm from Uganda, but I also grew up in New York. In New York, you go out, some guys are very hesitant to dance," Mamdani said. "You know, if they're not grinding, they're just standing. In Kampala, you will just not find that