By Wilber Tumutegyereize, Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: The Government of Uganda, in strategic partnership with Reckitt—the global manufacturer renowned for hygiene brands such as Dettol, Jik, Harpic, and Durex—has officially launched Phase II of the Dettol Hygiene Quest. This groundbreaking sanitation initiative aims to foster a culture of handwashing and hygiene within schools across East Africa, emphasizing the vital role hygiene plays in education and community health.
At the launch event, Honorable Nambozo Florence, the Woman Member of Parliament for Sironko District and Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, described the program as a decisive step towards elevating hygiene and sanitation standards throughout Uganda’s schools.
“A child who is unwell cannot absorb knowledge. A teacher who lacks access to hygiene facilities cannot sustain a conducive learning environment. A community that disregards sanitation cannot thrive,” Honorable Nambozo stated emphatically. She underscored that this initiative aligns directly with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III) and the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
The Dettol Hygiene Quest, which is funded by Reckitt and implemented by Chil Femtech Limited—a leading digital health company—seeks to integrate hygiene education into the national school curriculum. Its overarching goal is to create safer, healthier learning environments by combining education, technology, and infrastructural development.
Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Chief Executive Officer of Chil Femtech and the program’s focal person, highlighted the inseparability of education and health as foundational pillars of national progress.
“Schools must serve not only as places of learning but also as safe and healthy environments for every child,” Dr. Nabuuma emphasized, reinforcing the essential nature of hygiene in educational settings.
The initial phase of the program, rolled out in the districts of Ibanda, Kanungu, Kisoro, and Rakai, achieved significant milestones: 1,500 handwashing stations were constructed across 750 schools, teachers received specialized training in hygiene promotion, and over 100,000 educational materials were distributed to pupils. Notably, the initiative extended beyond the school gates, with the installation of community handwashing facilities to encourage hygienic practices in households.
Insights from the first phase revealed a strong commitment among learners and their families to maintain hygiene practices beyond the classroom, prompting the program to broaden its scope to include communities.
“Learners developed a genuine enthusiasm for handwashing at home, and their parents were equally motivated to uphold these practices,” Dr. Nabuuma reported.
The project also introduced the Keti AI Chatbot, an innovative digital tool designed to empower schools and local government officials to monitor absenteeism, track hygiene practices, and evaluate teaching performance in real time. According to Honorable Nambozo, this tool marks a significant advancement toward “data-driven health and education management.”
With the commencement of Phase II, the program is expanding its reach to new districts including Isingiro, Gulu, Lira, Jinja, Kasese, and Kampala. Thousands of new handwashing facilities will be constructed, targeting millions of learners and reinforcing Uganda’s commitment to improving child health and educational outcomes.
Honorable Nambozo commended Reckitt, Chil Femtech, and all partners for their steadfast dedication to delivering solutions that are inclusive, innovative, and scalable.
“When government, development partners, and the private sector unite, sustainable transformation becomes possible. This initiative transcends infrastructure or technology—it is about reshaping mindsets and ultimately saving lives,” she affirmed.
The launch event, attended by senior executives from Reckitt and government officials, reaffirmed a collective dedication to nurturing a generation that values hygiene, health, and dignity.
“A healthy child today is a stronger, more productive citizen tomorrow,” Honorable Nambozo concluded.
The Dettol Hygiene Quest addresses a critical nexus between sanitation, health, and educational attainment. Poor hygiene has long been recognized as a significant barrier to effective learning and child development. Frequent illness due to inadequate sanitation leads to high absenteeism among pupils and disrupts educational continuity. By equipping schools with the necessary infrastructure and knowledge to promote handwashing, the program directly contributes to reducing preventable diseases and improving academic performance.
Moreover, the integration of hygiene education into the national curriculum ensures that students internalize these habits early, fostering lifelong behavioral change. Such education empowers children not only to protect themselves but also to influence their families and communities positively.
The extension of hygiene interventions into community settings exemplifies the program’s holistic approach. Recognizing that behaviors learned in school must be reinforced at home, the installation of community handwashing facilities encourages consistent practices, mitigating the risk of disease transmission at the household level.
The deployment of the Keti AI Chatbot also reflects the program’s innovative use of technology. By enabling real-time data collection and analysis, schools and local authorities can respond swiftly to emerging issues such as spikes in absenteeism or lapses in hygiene practices. This data-driven approach enhances accountability and ensures resources are deployed effectively.
As Phase II unfolds, the challenge will be to sustain momentum and deepen impact. Expanding into urban centers like Kampala introduces complexities including higher population density and informal settlements, which require tailored strategies.
Success will depend on continued collaboration across government ministries, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and local communities. Equally important is fostering a sense of ownership among learners, parents, and educators to maintain and advocate for hygiene standards.
This initiative also has the potential to serve as a model for other East African countries facing similar challenges. Demonstrating measurable health and educational benefits can galvanize regional commitments and investments in sanitation infrastructure and hygiene education.
Ultimately, the Dettol Hygiene Quest embodies a comprehensive, multisectoral response to one of the region’s most persistent public health challenges. By safeguarding the health of learners, it lays the foundation for a more productive, resilient generation and, by extension, a more prosperous society.
