Dettol, a leading hygiene and disinfection brand under Reckitt, has launched PHASE III of the Dettol Hygiene Quest Initiative in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Education and Sports, and CHIL Hygiene Centre, targeting 750 more schools with hygiene education and practical handwashing skills.

PHASE III will build on previous achievements by strengthening hygiene education, monitoring learning outcomes and helping schools sustain proper handwashing and other healthy practices to prevent infections at school, at home and in the wider community.

Since its introduction in 2024, in partnership with CHIL Group, Dettol Hygiene Quest has reached over 1 million children and engaged 1,500 schools across Uganda, including in Gulu, Kampala and Isingiro.

The programme combines hygiene education with practical handwashing demonstrations, teacher support and educational materials to help learners understand the importance of good hygiene and put it into practice in their daily lives.

“Through PHASE IIIof Dettol Hygiene Quest, we aim to reach 750 more schools while helping them establish and sustain good hygiene practices that benefit learners long after the programme ends,”  said Bornface Shaka Onyari, Reckitt Country Manager for Uganda speaking at the launch event.

“Working with the Government of Uganda and our partners, we want children to develop healthy habits that protect their health and encourage their families and communities to practise good hygiene.”

The initiative also uses digital technology to strengthen hygiene education and assess learning outcomes. Through the Keti AI-powered Dettol Hygiene Quest chatbot, teachers can access guidance to help them incorporate hygiene topics into their lessons, making the subject easier to teach and more engaging for learners.

A key focus of PHASE III will be helping schools take greater responsibility for maintaining hygiene standards. Previous programme experience has shown encouraging signs of schools taking ownership of these practices, including some purchasing their own hygiene supplies to sustain the improvements introduced through the initiative.

Dettol will continue working with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and CHIL Hygiene Centre through coordinated programme delivery, stakeholder engagement and support for hygiene education. By combining their expertise, resources and networks, the partners aim to strengthen hygiene education in schools and create an environment in which learners can adopt and maintain healthy habits.

“I commend Reckitt and partners for creating healthier schools because this is an issue of national importance.  Hygiene is very essential and access to proper sanitation is fundamental. However,  success of this initiative should not be about the schools reached but about the behavior change registered and the sustainability  of the facilities put in place. The community should as well take responsibility of the facilities and use them correctly and consistently.” VP representative State Minister for water Aisha Sekindi