Kampala — Makerere University's Faculty of Computing and Information Technology (CIT) on Friday passed out over 300 women who excelled in a computer applications training programme in basic ICT skills for Ugandan Women Health Practitioners.

Faculty dean, Prof. Venansius Baryamureeba, said 369 women y participated in the training that started in May.

"We are happy that at least over 300 of those who took part in the training here excelled," Prof. Baryamureeba said. "CIT will continue to train members of the public and private sectors as part of its commitment to increase ICT literacy in Uganda."

He urged the trainees to be champions of the use of ICT in their communities. Of the 313 women who excelled, 283 (90.4%) were from Mulago Hospital, 23 (7.4%) were business women, while seven (2.2%) were from Kyambogo University.

They received training in Microsoft Word, making PowerPoint presentations, Internet, database management and spreadsheets.

Mr Michael Niyitegeka, the head of corporate relations at the faculty, said the training aims at promoting ICT awareness and use among women in strategic positions.

"Women in higher positions of responsibility are role models to the younger generation," Mr Niyitegeka said. Dr John Omangino, the head of the Uganda Heart Institute at Mulago, said the training would go a long way in making the work of nurses easier because very soon Mulago will computerise its operations.

"Most of the work at Mulago is going to involve usage of computer knowledge and those without such skills will be left out," he said.

Dr Iga Matovu, who is the acting Executive Director at Mulago, praised the initiative, saying it is in line with the hospital plan of usage of ICT in delivering health services through telemedicine.

"I have no doubt that this training is going to benefit Mulago," Dr Matovu told Daily Monitor. "Now all health records are expected to be managed better than ever before." Mulago is the national referral hospital.