Barack Obama's victory in the US Presidential elections yesterday sparked off celebrations in several parts of Uganda.

The historic win, which saw Obama become the first African American to occupy the White House, captured the imagination of Ugandans, as it has done several parts of Africa and the world.

Last night, during the 2008 election night organised by the US Embassy in Kampala at the Sheraton Hotel, Ugandan legislators, politicians and diplomats from different countries stayed up nearly the entire night as they waited for the announcement of the election results.

"I am extremely happy and I don't regret spending a night here waiting to see Obama, the new president of the United State declared a winner. He has indeed made us proud as Africans and we expect a lot from him as a continent," said Kasilo MP Elijah Okupa (FDC).

The President of Peoples Progress Party (PPP), Mr Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, was optimistic about the role the new U.S leadership under Obama will play in improving the fortunes of Africa. He said, "Obama will change some of the radical policies of George W Bush, double aid to Africa and oversee the donor funds to fight corruption that had dogged African countries for years."

But even as the celebrations continued, sections of Ugandans received the news of Obama's historic victory with cautious optimism.

Third Deputy Prime minister and minister for Information and National guidance, Al hajj Ali Kirunda Kivejinja told Daily Monitor yesterday, as he congratulated Americans for overcoming their racial biases, that the Uganda government did not expect a significant policy change towards Africa merely because an African American has entered into the White House.

"We congratulate the Americans for having moved along way in overcoming their own prejudices.

For 200 years they have been advocating for human rights but they have not faired better than witnessed today," he said. "[But] whether black or white, it is immaterial. We don't expect Obama to overturn American interests. It is because of those interests he has that he has come that far."

Asked whether the Ugandan government expects a black American President, who has been quoted to have said that African problems are more leadership than financial, to get tough on governments on the continent over democracy and human rights issues, Mr Kivejinja said, "Americans always tell us to observe human rights but they themselves do not observe them."

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Kiiza Besigye said although he is happy that the American people have shown the world that they can rise above racial issues, Uganda should not begin to expect too much from an Obama-led US government because he is likely to put American interests before any other item on his political agenda.

"I congratulate the American people for showing the world that a black person can be elected as a president just like a white person can," Dr Besigye told Daily Monitor by telephone yesterday. "But I don't think that Ugandans should get over excited in terms of what American policies towards Africa could be.

In practice, I am not sure that Africa will see much change soon." "Ugandans should understand that even if Obama wanted to help Africa, it is the Democratic Party as an institution which determines most of the policies," Dr Besigye said.

"We can't think that the party will do much. The Clinton administration failed to deal with African despots and it was under that leadership that leaders like Museveni were declared 'the new breed of African leaders'. It is the same system which Obama has inherited. Ugandans should know that it is our responsibility to ensure that our country is run well, not the responsibility of Obama."

DP presidential contender Nobert Mao however, believes that African dictators should expect tough confrontations from the Obama-led US administration because the President-elect is someone who has shown that he believes in democratic principles.

"Obama is a symbol of what is possible with human spirit. He is going to give us a lot of inspiration and courage to bring change in Uganda," Mr Mao said. "He is has said that he wants democracy in Africa. I hope he helps us get rid of these tyrant leaders and I know he will be tough on these leaders."

"However," Mr Mao added, "we need to know that America is currently facing its own financial problems. Obama is likely to attend to domestic problems first. But I know we shall see the effectiveness of foreign especially in Africa so that its impact is felt by the local poor."