It is amazing to us how strongly the people here feel about Obama getting elected. Everywhere we go people ask us who we are for in the election, and when we say Obama they get excited. There is a Club Obama on Ggaba Road, there are bumper stickers and tee-shirts. And last week there was an article in the local paper about how Obama's father's town has requested from the Kenyan government that they fund an airport that could accommodate Air Force One in the event he decided to come visit.
Yesterday, the New Vision had a cartoon of a bunch of white people chanting "Obama" as they head to the polls. Obama stands in front of the "swearing-in venue" holding a Bible and an agenda. The number one item on the agenda is "Northern Uganda situation," followed by "AIDS" and "Darfur." At first I wondered if this was sarcasm - I mean, the US is in dire straights in a number of areas, and it is laughable that Obama would first turn to the problems in Africa.
But under the cartoon, the caption says: "Uganda is at the top of US presidential candidate Barrack Obama's agenda."
It is actually kind of endearing that the Ugandans (and Kenyans) feel that they are about to get a native son in the White House. They are so proud, and also almost as desperate as we Americans are for change in the global scene. Someone told me today that some Ugandans thought they would have a chance to vote because they have relatives in America. Would that they could!
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1 comment:
Ok that's just cool. And though maybe it shouldn't be, pretty surprising. Put a smile on my face.
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