Mahmood Mamdani

Mahmood Mamdani represents a scholarly perspective on African studies and political science that emphasizes the impact of colonial structures on contemporary governance. Born in 1946 in Mumbai, he later established a career bridging academic research and policy commentary, holding prominent appointments at major international universities while maintaining a consistent focus on the politics of knowledge production.

Early Education and Political Awakening

Raised in Kampala, Uganda, as part of the Indian diaspora, Mamdani participated in the Kennedy Airlift program in 1963. He relocated to the United States, graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967. While a student, his involvement in the 1965 civil rights march in Montgomery, Alabama, led to his brief incarceration. This experience provided his introduction to the writings of Karl Marx. He pursued further education at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, earning two Master of Arts degrees, followed by a PhD in government from Harvard University in 1974.

Professional Trajectory and Displacement

Mamdani began his academic career at Makerere University in 1972, but the expulsion of Asians from Uganda by Idi Amin forced his departure for the United Kingdom. He subsequently moved to Tanzania, joining the University of Dar es Salaam, where he remained active in anti-Amin politics. After returning to Uganda in 1979, he faced periods of political instability, including the withdrawal of his citizenship by the Milton Obote government in 1984. He later served as the founding director of the Centre for Basic Research in Kampala from 1987 to 1996.

The Cape Town Tenure and Academic Advocacy

In 1996, Mamdani accepted the inaugural AC Jordan chair of African studies at the University of Cape Town. His tenure there became notable for the Mamdani affair, a controversy involving the decolonization of the university curriculum. He eventually resigned following disagreements regarding his proposed foundation course, 'Problematising Africa'. Despite this conflict, he maintained a relationship with the institution and was later appointed as an honorary professor in 2018.

Global Academic Contributions

Mamdani has held significant positions at Columbia University since 1999, serving as the director of the Institute of African Studies and currently as the Herbert Lehman Professor of Government. From 2010 to 2022, he directed the Makerere Institute of Social Research in Kampala. His scholarly work, which has earned him the ASA Best Book Prize and status as a Fellow of the British Academy, focuses on post-colonialism and the structural legacy of colonial rule.

Fast facts

• Born: 1946, Mumbai
• Citizenship: Uganda
• Primary Fields: Anthropology, Political Science, African Studies
• PhD: Harvard University, 1974
• Notable Employer: Columbia University
• Notable Award: ASA Best Book Prize (1997)
• Religion: Shia Islam
• Languages: English, Gujarati, Urdu, Swahili

Questions readers ask

What is the Mamdani affair?

It refers to his 1990s tenure at the University of Cape Town, where his attempts to reform the curriculum to better reflect African contexts led to intense faculty debate and his eventual resignation.

Which universities has he served as a faculty member?

He has been employed by Columbia University, Makerere University, the University of Cape Town, and the University of Dar es Salaam.

Achievements

• Held posts at Columbia University, Makerere University and University of Cape Town
• Educated at Harvard University, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and University of Pittsburgh
• Fields of research: African studies, anthropology and political science