Herbert Ssempogo and Francis Kagolo
5 November 2008
Kampala — THE historic victory of US President-elect Barack Obama had a ripple effect on Ugandans who went euphoric, despite the distance between the two countries.
City residents believed Obama, the first Afro-American US President, was a messiah, would help third world countries develop.
Obama, a Democrat, people hope, will help the African continent redeem itself from the shackles of poverty, disease and dictatorship among other deeply-rooted problems.
Sadiq Mubiru, a boda-boda rider stationed on Jinja Road, was all smiles.
He urged Obama to rescue people affected the over 20-year war in northern Uganda.
The New Vision, quoting an Obama aide, recently reported that the situation in northern Uganda was top on Obama's agenda.
According to city lawyer Julius Turinaiwe, Obama had proved to the world that black people were a force to reckon with.
Sarah Birabwa, a newspaper vendor, could not believe that it was a black man's turn to rule the superpower.
According to Emmanuel Kikoni, a banker, Obama's win over McCain was testimony that people could get anything they want if they put all their energy to it.
Martin Isagala, the head teacher of City Parents' Primary School, said Obama's success was not just for the Democrats but the entire world.
"The US has successfully showed the world that it has moved away from racism," he observed.
Robert Sserugga, a n Obama supporter, hoped that the ex-Illinois senator avoids the path his predecessor, George Bush, took.
So much was Andrew Kawere's excitement that he chose to travel to Nairobi, the Kenyan capital to celebrate with other Kenyans.
At St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market, most Langi and the Alur, who share the same Luo origin with Obama, were excited.
Meanwhile, business in Owino and the two city taxi parks was booming, with more people craving for T-shirts and caps marked with Obama's names.
"I had stocked over 200 T-shirts on Tuesday. By 8:00am, I had sold all of them and I am now restocking," said Isma Muganzi, who by yesterday had hiked the price from sh5,000 to sh10,000.
The New Vision and its Luganda sister paper, Bukedde, were also on demand in the city due to their wide coverage of the US polls.
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