Reckitt, the company behind Dettol brand, in partnership with Chil Group, has officially launched Phase 3 of the Dettol Hygiene Quest programme in Uganda, marking another significant milestone in efforts to improve hygiene practices, reduce preventable illnesses and promote healthier learning environments for schoolchildren.
Building on the achievements of previous phases, the expanded initiative aims to reach an additional 650,000 schoolchildren across Mpigi, Kampala, Kabarole and Kabale districts, equipping them with essential hygiene knowledge, practical skills and resources to support healthier lifestyles.
The programme’s expansion follows encouraging results from earlier interventions, which recorded reductions in hygiene-related school absenteeism of 71.6% during Phase 1 and 74.8% during Phase 2. These findings highlight the potential of sustained hygiene education and behaviour-change interventions to improve children’s health and school attendance.
Through an integrated approach combining interactive learning, practical demonstrations, digital monitoring and access to essential hygiene products, Dettol Hygiene Quest seeks to empower children to adopt healthy habits that extend beyond the classroom into their homes and communities.
Under Phase 3, participating schools will benefit from structured hygiene education sessions designed to reinforce proper handwashing techniques, personal hygiene and disease prevention.
The initiative will also incorporate digital tracking systems to monitor implementation, measure progress and strengthen accountability, alongside the distribution of essential hygiene products, including Dettol antibacterial soap.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Chief Executive Officer of Chil Group, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to leveraging innovation and community partnerships to deliver sustainable public health outcomes.
“Our mission has always been to ensure that preventable illnesses never stand in the way of a child’s education. The remarkable results achieved in Phases 1 and 2, with hygiene-related absenteeism falling by more than 70%, demonstrate what is possible when effective public health education is combined with local innovation and access to the right resources,” said Dr. Nabuuma.
“Phase 3 represents an opportunity to build on these achievements and extend the programme’s benefits to even more children and communities across Uganda. By empowering young learners with essential hygiene knowledge and practical skills, we are investing not only in their immediate health but also in their long-term wellbeing and educational success.”
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications and Partnerships at Reckitt West and East Africa, emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing public health and strengthening hygiene awareness among young people.
“The launch of Dettol Hygiene Quest Phase 3 in Uganda reflects Reckitt’s continued commitment to putting better health in more hands, every day. By expanding our reach, strengthening learning outcomes, and building on the progress achieved so far, we are taking another important step towards empowering a generation of health- and hygiene-conscious Ugandans,” said Uzo-Ogbugh.
“Through continued collaboration with our partners, educators, and learners, we aim to drive lasting behaviour change, reduce hygiene-related illnesses such as diarrhoea, improve school attendance, and contribute to healthier, safer, and more resilient communities across Uganda. Our focus is not simply on reaching more children, but on ensuring that the knowledge and habits they acquire continue to make a meaningful difference in their everyday lives.”
The Dettol Hygiene Quest programme forms part of Reckitt’s broader commitment to improving access to health and hygiene education and supporting healthier communities across Africa.
By combining Reckitt’s expertise in health and hygiene with Chil Group’s digital health capabilities and established community networks, the initiative seeks to deliver a school-based hygiene education model that is both scalable and measurable.
The integration of digital monitoring tools will further support programme implementation by enabling the partners to track activities, assess outcomes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. This data-driven approach is intended to strengthen the initiative’s sustainability and support evidence-based public health interventions.
Beyond improving hygiene practices in schools, the programme recognises children as important agents of behaviour change within their households and communities. By encouraging learners to share hygiene knowledge with family members and practise healthy habits consistently, Dettol Hygiene Quest aims to extend its impact beyond the school environment.
As Phase 3 gets underway, Reckitt and Chil Group remain committed to working closely with schools, educators, local communities and other stakeholders to strengthen hygiene awareness, reduce preventable illnesses and create an environment in which more children can remain healthy, attend school consistently and realise their full potential.