He was able to make it in the United States of America but could not have done it anywhere in Africa even if he wanted to.

Not even in a country where his father was born. Actually, in his ancestral country - Kenya, more than one thousand people were killed due to disputed electoral results.

Yes, Barrack Obama's victory is worth celebrating in recognition of the struggle for respect and human rights observance black and some white Americans have undertaken over the years. That Obama was able to win convincingly reflects how far America has come, from a racial society to the real "globaliser," a land of opportunity where everyone with potential has the space to excel.

I have often argued that given opportunity, blacks, particularly Africans, do excel as much as people of any other race. Those who have studied from developed countries attest to the fact that despite humble beginnings and limited technological exposure, most students end up performing exceptionally well, many times, topping their classes with distinction. Unfortunately, on return to their respective countries, they find many offices occupied by political failures who are given positions of responsibility on the basis of their support for incumbents.

Political patronage, tribalism, favouritism and all forms of corruption characterise most regimes in Africa. In the case of Uganda, for example, participating in electoral malpractices in favour of the incumbent could easily secure you a posting as a Resident District Commissioner.

The Obama victory in the US should therefore act as an inspiration to those in Africa who are still involved in various forms of struggles for recognition as a people. Obama's victory proves one point: however much a section of people oppresses others, victory finally comes to the oppressed.

Africans should not look at the Obama victory from the point of view of receiving favours from him. Since his victory, I have seen media reports indicating that Uganda would continue to benefit from outgoing President George Bush's initiative, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. While I appreciate the continued funding for HIV/AIDS related activities, I would rather that we do not look at his victory from the opportunistic point of receiving grants only. In my view, African countries should look at Obama's victory as an opportunity to expand political rights for their people. It should be an opportunity for the political leadership in Africa to commit themselves more seriously to eradicating various forms of injustices and vices that are increasingly eroding people's confidence in the political leadership.

In the case of Kenya, for example, the leadership should consider Obama's victory as a challenge for them to streamline the management of elections, which was the major cause for mayhem and the death of more than 1,000 people in election related violence last year. This should be the same lesson for Zimbabwe and perhaps the whole of Africa where violence has often characterised electoral processes, ending in disputed results.

From the above example of Uganda's excitement about continued funding of HIV/AIDS related programmes, and other events after Obama's victory, I am afraid that we may not expect much from the political leadership in form of lessons learnt. While many Africans were celebrating what I consider a victory against social and political injustices, members of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) were busy plotting how to save one of their own involved in a scandalous transaction that defied the country's procurement laws. Political decency and a sense of shame were thrown out of the window after the country's number one put all his political weight behind an individual he considers to be one of his most trusted cadres.

Most embarrassingly, the plot to whitewash a dirty transaction was scripted and rehearsed in State House, while Parliament presided over by a Speaker whose credibility is ideally supposed to be above question, provided the stage. While Americans are expanding the political space and creating opportunities for people of all races, Uganda's political leadership are opportunistically focusing on strengthening bonds that link them to an incumbent.

Obama's victory should mean an era of expanding political liberties and creating an environment where everyone would realise their potential. In my view, this is the only way Obama's victory would have an impact on the ordinary people in Africa and other continents where the political leadership have remained insensitive to the needs of their people.

Watching various spontaneous reactions and tears of excitement, I joined the frenzy and celebrated but later, I felt sad for the African continent. I knew for sure that our leadership would only start cleaning their begging bowls for more aid instead of promoting the values Obama cherishes. Martin Luther's dream was not about creating more opportunities for aid to Africa but respect for human rights and freedoms, which many African are yearning for.

Vincent Kiwanuka Kalimire, The author is a journalist/development practitioner