Key Takeaways
- Mahmood Mamdani, a Columbia University professor, draws on his experiences of exile and statelessness in Uganda to examine colonial legacies.
- Mamdani’s work is rooted in his own experience as a Ugandan citizen of Indian origin who was twice rendered stateless due to political turmoil in East Africa.
- His latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post-British colonialism and the two autocrats that largely shaped it.
- Mamdani argues that Idi Amin and President Yoweri Museveni inherited and governed within an intractable colonial legacy handed down from the British.
- Mamdani’s experiences in exile have shaped his understanding of power and belonging, and have influenced his son’s political ambitions.
Introduction to Mahmood Mamdani
Mahmood Mamdani is a prominent scholar who has spent his career examining colonialism and anti-colonialism in Africa. As a professor of government in the department of anthropology at Columbia University, Mamdani has drawn on his own experiences of exile and statelessness in Uganda to inform his work. Born in Uganda to a family of Indian origin, Mamdani was twice rendered stateless due to political turmoil in East Africa during the 1970s and 80s. This experience had a profound impact on his understanding of power and belonging, and has shaped his lifelong quest to understand the complexities of colonial legacies.
Experiences of Exile and Statelessness
Mamdani’s experiences as a migrant in Uganda were marked by a sense of displacement and dislocation. As he notes, "We were migrants, and under the colonial system, migrants were defined as non-Indigenous." This meant that people like him were never made to feel fully at home in Uganda, and were stripped of core rights. The trauma of being stateless has had a lasting impact on Mamdani, and has influenced his work as a scholar. His experiences have also shaped his understanding of the complexities of power and belonging, and have informed his analysis of the colonial legacy in Uganda.
The Making of the Ugandan State
Mamdani’s latest book, Slow Poison, focuses on the making of the Ugandan state post-British colonialism. The book examines the role of two autocrats, Idi Amin and President Yoweri Museveni, who have largely shaped the country’s politics. Mamdani argues that both leaders inherited and governed within an intractable colonial legacy handed down from the British. This legacy has had a profound impact on the country’s development, and has shaped the ways in which power is exercised and belonging is defined. Through his analysis of the Ugandan state, Mamdani sheds light on the complexities of colonialism and its ongoing impact on African societies.
Parallels between Exile and Politics
Mamdani’s experiences in exile have also shaped his understanding of the parallels between his own quest for belonging and his son’s political ambitions. As the father of Zohran Mamdani, NYC’s next mayor, Mamdani has watched his son challenge ideas of power and belonging in the country’s largest city. In a recent interview with NPR’s Leila Fadel, Mamdani discussed the parallels between his experiences in exile and his son’s political quest. Through their conversation, Mamdani reflected on the ways in which his own experiences have informed his understanding of power and belonging, and have shaped his son’s political ambitions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mahmood Mamdani’s work is a powerful testament to the ongoing impact of colonial legacies on African societies. Through his experiences of exile and statelessness, Mamdani has developed a nuanced understanding of the complexities of power and belonging. His latest book, Slow Poison, provides a timely analysis of the making of the Ugandan state post-British colonialism, and sheds light on the role of colonialism in shaping the country’s politics. As a scholar and a father, Mamdani’s work continues to inspire new generations of thinkers and politicians, and his legacy will be felt for years to come.
