By Frank Kamuntu
As the world marks World Toilet Day, Dettol, the leading hygiene and disinfection brand by Reckitt, has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sanitation and hygiene equity in Uganda through the impactful Dettol Hygiene Quest program, implemented in partnership with the Chil Group (Chil AI Lab).
World Toilet Day emphasizes the critical need for safely managed sanitation, and Dettol is highlighting the strong connection between clean toilets, comprehensive hygiene education, and improved public health particularly within school environments.
The Dettol Hygiene Quest, now in its second phase, is designed to instill lifelong hygiene habits in children aged 5 to 11. While the program emphasizes proper handwashing, it takes a holistic approach, addressing school sanitation infrastructure and hygiene education to ensure children understand not only how to wash their hands but also the dignified and safe use of toilet facilities.
To mark this year’s observance, the Dettol Hygiene Quest team mobilized volunteers, teachers, and students in Gulu District for a day of practical action. Activities included large-scale toilet cleaning and sanitation drives in participating schools and surrounding communities, complemented by the distribution of essential Dettol products to sustain cleanliness long-term.
Phase One of the program successfully reached 750 schools and impacted over 450,000 students and educators across high-need areas in Uganda. A core achievement was the construction of 1,500 dedicated handwashing stations one for boys and one for girls in each school a foundational step supporting hygienic toilet use and menstrual health management.
The program’s expansion is further strengthened by the integration of the Keti Dettol Hygiene Quest AI Chatbot, a digital assistant that helps teachers track student attendance and monitor hygiene practices in real-time. This allows for smarter, data-driven interventions to sustain clean toilet environments long after the initial setup.
Bornface Shaka, Country Manager of Reckitt, said: “Good hygiene is more than cleanliness; it is protection, prevention, and empowerment. It transforms simple acts into life-saving habits, protecting people, strengthening communities, and safeguarding Uganda’s future. We believe access to hygiene is not a privilege but a basic human right.”
Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, CEO of Chil Group of Companies, added: “Our partnership with Reckitt demonstrates the power of technology and community engagement in solving complex challenges. By embedding sanitation and hygiene messages directly into the school curriculum and giving teachers modern tools to monitor compliance, we are turning children into agents of change who promote dignity and health both at home and in school.”
Dettol remains committed to collaborating with the Ministry of Education and Sports and local partners to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All) by 2030, ensuring that every child in Uganda can lead a healthier, more resilient life.
About Reckitt and Dettol
Reckitt is a global consumer goods leader with a purpose to protect, heal, and nurture in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. Dettol is one of Reckitt’s most trusted global brands, dedicated to providing effective hygiene and germ protection solutions to consumers worldwide.
About Chil Group (Chil AI Lab)
Chil Group is a local health and hygiene innovation company that leverages technology, including Artificial Intelligence, to design and implement scalable health education and monitoring solutions across Africa.
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