Millions of school-going children in Uganda have been saved from hygiene-related illnesses following the construction of 1500 handwashing facilities in 750 schools under the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program, implemented by CHIL AI with support from Reckitt.
Despite this progress, health and education stakeholders highlight that sanitation remains a major challenge, with many schools still lacking proper hygiene facilities. Dilapidated toilets and inadequate handwashing stations continue to expose learners to diseases, affecting their education.
Bridging the Hygiene Gap
The Hygiene Quest Uganda initiative aims to improve sanitation in pre-primary and primary schools, particularly in districts where hygiene infrastructure is critically insufficient.
“We have completed the construction of 1,500 handwashing facilities in 750 schools across the country, each school receiving two tanks,” said Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Executive Director of Chil-Ai Lab and the project focal person.
The districts benefiting from this intervention include Kisoro, Ibanda, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Rakai, Iganga, and Kamuli. In addition to the handwashing stations, schools received handwashing soap and hygiene-related class materials to promote behavioral change among learners.
However, a visit to several schools revealed that while handwashing stations have improved, toilet facilities remain in dire condition. Many are dilapidated, substandard, and unhygienic, posing health risks to pupils.
The Impact of Poor Hygiene on Learners
According to Bamwine Julius, the District Health Officer (DHO) of Ibanda, cultural practices and the lack of handwashing facilities have made students more susceptible to hygiene-related illnesses.
“Children often share food during lunch and break time without washing their hands. This leads to the spread of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which affect school attendance and performance,” he explained.
Robert Nyesigire, an Education Officer in Ibanda, echoed similar concerns, stressing that good hygiene habits must be instilled from an early age.
“While handwashing facilities are crucial, the availability of soap and consistent sensitization are equally important. Many children do not understand the risks of poor hygiene, and teachers need to integrate hygiene education into their lessons,” he noted.
Training Teachers and Distributing Learning Materials
To ensure that the impact of the project is sustained, Sandra Nabakka, Field Supervisor for Dettol Hygiene Quest, emphasized the importance of educational materials.
“We have successfully distributed over 100,000 hygiene guide booklets to learners and 5,000 booklets to teachers across 500 schools. These materials provide step-by-step instructions on proper handwashing techniques and help teachers incorporate hygiene education into their lesson plans,” she stated.
The headteacher of Rwengwe II Primary School in Ibanda, Edvina Twinomuhangi, expressed gratitude for the materials.
“These resources will help us craft hygiene lessons that emphasize the importance of handwashing at all times. It’s not just about access to facilities but also ensuring that children develop lifelong hygiene habits,” she said.
The project which is funded by Reckitt Benckiser the makers of Dettol, included provision of free hand washing soap, and other detergents to benefiting schools.
Challenges in School Sanitation
Despite these efforts, many schools still lack proper toilets, which remains a major public health concern.
Kweyamba Ruhemba, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ibanda District, acknowledged the crisis, revealing that only 16 schools in the district have modern toilet facilities—and these are the ones that consistently perform well in national exams.
“Even if a school has modern toilets, learners must be taught how to use them properly. Poor hygiene practices are a widespread issue, even in urban areas,” he warned.
The hygiene crisis in Ugandan schools reflects a broader challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recent reports indicate that:
779 million people in the region lack basic sanitation services
839 million people do not have access to basic hygiene facilities
In 2023, malaria caused nearly 600,000 deaths, with 94% of cases occurring in Africa
These statistics highlight the urgent need for more investments in sanitation and hygiene infrastructure across the continent.
While initiatives like the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program have made a difference, experts argue that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to ensure long-term improvements.
The government must prioritize hygiene infrastructure in all schools, allocating more resources to sanitation projects.
Communities and parents should be actively involved in maintaining school hygiene facilities.
More partnerships between NGOs, private companies, and international donors can help scale up interventions.
As Uganda continues its journey toward better school hygiene, sustained efforts, policy changes, and increased funding will be key to ensuring that every child learns in a safe and healthy environment.
