As expected, the historical triumph of Senator Barack Obama has raised a number of comments as sympathisers, supporters, admirors and cynics are all in the queue to say something about this young and man - the man who has become a phenomenon of sorts.

Mr Obama, a first time Illinois Senator, was hardly known five years ago. Senator Hillary Clinton's image was all over the world, she was literally being worshipped by many politicians who saw her as a charismatic leader that remains loyal to her husband and country.

Ms Clinton's contribution to America's health sector especially during her time as the 'world's' First Lady is well documented. Her courage, will-power, and determination throughout her career has been epitomised in the last brain and body draining Democratic Party nomination where she not only proved to be a very strong candidate but also gave Mr Obama a real run for his money.

By all standards - age, experience, exposure, wealth and social status - Ms Clinton was a class apart; thus Obama was written off even before he was heard. On many google groups, hundreds of analytical writers dismissed Obama as a joker.

Alas! Even in our local daily newspapers, few believed that the son of a Kenyan could make it because it was clear that the 'mountain' was too high for him to climb - more so in a racially-charged and White dominated country.

But while others were losing hope, I kept my faith as it became clearer every passing day that Mr Obama was not only a gifted speaker, a handsome young man; he was actually very witty and focused. He dreamt big, talked big, remained steadfast and walked the talk.That made a whole difference, which I believe, all young politicians in a Museveni Yekka dominated country, should take note of.

In Mr Obama, the Ugandan youthful politician learns the power of self belief, the vitality to remain incorruptible, the need to be principled regardless of State operatives who have made it a habit to to mislead the youth by splashing money on them.

We learn the need to express our inner feelings, the need to fight for what is right regardless of the assertiveness of the mighty, the importance of saying no to what is wrong, the desire to change society regardless of the general thinking that the "No Change" is the way forward!

We note the importance of keeping a clean history to avoid giving your opponent a chance to get excuses. We should desire to avoid joining those who consipire to selfishly empty Uganda's treasury as our people die of hunger, jiggers and poverty. We learn the need to serve above self, that the power of any politician should not be derived from the size of their wallet but the will of the people.

It is important that we should avoid thinking that our problems will be solved by those in power without struggling to make them realise their weaknesses.

How can you drive a car properly if you are not on the steering? While Timothy Kalyegira in Saturday Monitor of June 7 failed to see how Obama's victory is inspirational to the Ugandan youth who badly need a positive change, it is important for all the youth in Africa to begin believing in change that counts, but not the fundamental change which some revolutionaries promised us decades ago.

The reason why perhaps some NRM supporters hated the idea of having Obama win the nomination contest is the inspirational message and the multiplier effect the win would have in a country that so much need a smart young leader that has what it takes to shape the destiny of Uganda.

In Obama, the ball is now in our court as the youth, it is up to us to determine our destiny. And who says we can't?

"Yes. We. Can".

Mr Mukasa is a member of Peoples Progressive Party