Reckitt, the company behind the Dettol brand, in partnership with Chil Group, has launched Phase 3 of the Dettol Hygiene Quest programme in Uganda, targeting an additional 650,000 schoolchildren across Mpigi, Kampala, Kabarole and Kabale districts.
The initiative aims to improve hygiene practices, reduce preventable illnesses and promote healthier learning environments by equipping children with essential hygiene knowledge, practical skills and resources.
The latest phase builds on results from previous interventions, which recorded reductions in hygiene-related school absenteeism of 71.6% in Phase 1 and 74.8% in Phase 2. The reported outcomes highlight the potential of sustained hygiene education and behaviour-change initiatives to improve children’s health and school attendance.
Under Phase 3, participating schools will benefit from structured hygiene education sessions, interactive learning activities and practical demonstrations focusing on proper handwashing, personal hygiene and disease prevention.
The programme will also distribute essential hygiene products, including Dettol antibacterial soap, while introducing digital tracking systems to monitor implementation, assess progress and strengthen accountability.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Chief Executive Officer of Chil Group, said the programme was designed to ensure that preventable illnesses do not interfere with children’s education.
“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.
She said the third phase would build on previous achievements by extending the programme to more children and communities across Uganda.
“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,” she added.
Cassandra Uzo-Ogbugh, Head of External Communications and Partnerships at Reckitt West and East Africa, said the programme reflects the company’s commitment to expanding access to health and hygiene education.
“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.
She noted that collaboration with schools, educators, learners and community partners would be essential to achieving lasting behavioural change and improving public health outcomes.
“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,” she added.
The Dettol Hygiene Quest programme forms part of Reckitt’s broader efforts to improve access to health and hygiene education and support healthier communities across Africa.
By combining Reckitt’s expertise in health and hygiene with Chil Group’s digital health capabilities and community networks, the initiative aims to deliver a school-based hygiene education model that can be expanded and measured effectively.
Digital monitoring tools will enable the partners to track activities, assess outcomes and identify areas for improvement. The approach is intended to strengthen accountability, support evidence-based interventions and improve the programme’s long-term sustainability.
Beyond schools, the initiative seeks to position children as agents of positive change within their households and communities. Learners will be encouraged to share hygiene knowledge with family members and consistently practise healthy habits beyond the classroom.
As Phase 3 begins, Reckitt and Chil Group aim to work with schools, educators, local communities and other stakeholders to strengthen hygiene awareness, reduce preventable illnesses and support improved school attendance.
Through the expanded initiative, the partners seek to contribute to healthier learning environments where children can attend school consistently, protect their health and realise their full potential.
