As Uganda joins the world in marking Global Handwashing Day 2025, the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program has officially launched its second phase, aiming to scale up sanitation practices in schools and reduce absenteeism caused by preventable waterborne diseases.
The initiative, funded by Reckitt—manufacturers of Dettol, Harpic, Jik and Durex and implemented by Chil Femtech Limited, will now integrate digital innovation through a hygiene-focused chatbot to support teachers and monitor hygiene behavior in schools.
Speaking at the launch at Four Points by Sheraton, Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Program Focal Person and CEO of Chil Femtech, said their mission is to change how children perceive hygiene.
“Today marks the beginning of the phase two of the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program that is changing how our children in school understand the practice of hygiene and hand washing,” she said.
She noted that phase one had already impacted hundreds of schools.
“In phase one, we reached 750 schools in Uganda and constructed 1,500 hand-washing facilities, one for girls and another for boys in each school,” Dr. Nabuuma stated. 
She said teachers were key to this transformation.
“We went ahead to train teachers on how to help children learn the right way to wash their hands,” she explained.
Highlighting the new innovation, she introduced the chatbot.
“We have introduced the Dettol Hygiene Quest chatbot—teachers now have a digital assistant to help them plan lessons, track attendance and monitor hygiene practices,” she announced.
State Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Florence Namboozo, who officiated the launch on behalf of the government, commended Reckitt and partners for aligning the program with national priorities.
“Hygiene and sanitation are not merely health issues—they are fundamental pillars of education, economic growth and national development,” she said.
She emphasized that good hygiene directly impacts academic performance. 
“A child who is sick cannot learn, and a teacher who lacks hygiene facilities cannot maintain a healthy classroom,” Namboozo remarked.
Praising the public-private partnership, she said. “You have shown that when government and the private sector work together, we can deliver solutions that are inclusive, innovative and scalable.”
She called on district authorities to sustain the gains.
“We encourage district leaders to ensure that hand-washing facilities remain functional and that data collected through AI chatbots is used for effective decision-making,” she said.
Reckitt Country Director, Boniface Shaka, reaffirmed the company’s social mission.
“As Reckitt, we believe that access to hygiene is not a privilege—it is a basic right for every child,” he declared.
He said the Global Handwashing Day should be more than symbolic.
“As we mark this global hand washing day, we want to turn every child into a handwashing hero,” he said.
He added that their commitment goes beyond product distribution. 
“Beyond business, our true purpose is to deliver hygiene education that makes a lasting difference in society,” Shaka emphasized.
Reflecting on their impact so far, he noted that the program has impacted thousands of learners in 2025.
“So far in 2025, the program has reached thousands of learners, and we have donated several hand washing stations to schools across Uganda,” he revealed.
Representing the Ministry of Education, Commissioner Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene said the program directly supports government efforts to keep learners healthy and in school.
“The ministry recognizes that hygiene and sanitation are fundamental pillars of child health, school attendance and academic performance,” she said.
She said the first phase had proven the value of partnership.
“The success of phase one demonstrated the massive value of collaboration between the public and private sector,” she noted.
She commended the digital shift brought by the chatbot.
“Most notably, the introduction of the Dettol Hygiene Quest chatbot has brought a new dimension of digital innovation to our education system,” Museene remarked.
She pledged continued government support. “The Ministry of Education, through the office of the Permanent Secretary, will remain committed to supporting this agenda,” she assured.
The second phase will expand to new districts including Gulu, Lira, Sironko and Kampala, with a focus on technology-driven hygiene monitoring. The partners appealed to schools, local governments and communities to take ownership and ensure sustainability.
