78-year old excited by computer

By Aloysius Byamukama

Mzee George Kifungira, a resident of Kakiika Cell in Mbarara Municipality, is the happiest man ever, after completing his course in computer literacy where he was able to learn some few basics.

The 78-year-old Kifungira, who enrolled among the hundreds that turned up for a one-week massive computer literacy training that ended at Ntare School, expressed overwhelming joy as the course came to a climax on Saturday.
 

true

MP Boona congratulates Kifungira after handing him a certificate

“I used to think that a computer is untouchable and very difficult to learn, but I am very happy that I was able to also touch this machine, learn some things about it. Who am I to have a chance of writing my name using the buttons, not a pencil?” said Kifungira after receiving his certificate.
 

“I can now write my name and also search for some information using the computer. I thank this government for starting up this programme for rural and old people like Kifungira,” he added.
 

The one week program, an initiative of Mbarara District woman member of Parliament Emma Boona, in conjunction with Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) attracted 409 participants, the majority from Mbarara Municipality.
 

While speaking at the closing and certificate awarding ceremony, Boona hinted at plans to make this a rotational programme in the rural areas in order to help out the old and under preveraged rural people to also get access to computer literacy.
 

“We are looking at the majority of the participants coming from within the Municipality, but next time we shall identify some rural places with computers so that we shift this training there to also give a chance to the rural people,” Boona said.
 

Boona however warned the youth especially girls, against unscrupulous people on the social networks who seduce them for selfish motives.
 

She said said unsuspecting young girls tend to be enticed by men who seduce them and end up being raped, kidnapped or even killed.
 

The computer literacy programme for Mbarara district was introduced last year and is always carried out during the schools holidays. Over 5000 people have so far benefited.