Millions of Ugandan schoolchildren are now less vulnerable to hygiene-related illnesses following the construction of 1500 hand washing facilities in key districts.
The initiative, part of the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program, has been implemented by Chil-AI Lab with support from Recti, targeting pre-primary and primary schools across Uganda and the broader Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Hygiene Quest Uganda a project funded by reckitt the makers of dettol soap among other consumer products. The project has constructed 1500 hand washing facilities in 750 schools in Uganda
The project aims to bridge the sanitation and hygiene gap in schools, which has been exposing learners to preventable diseases and affecting their education.
Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Executive Director of Chil-AI Lab and the focal person for Hygiene Quest Uganda, emphasised the program’s reach and impact.
“A total of 1500 hand washing facilities have been installed across the country in districts such as Kisoro, Ibanda, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Rakai, Iganga, and Kamuli,” Nabuuma said.
She added that the initiative also includes the provision of hand washing soap and hygiene-related educational materials to all participating schools.
Despite the progress made by the Hygiene Quest initiative, sanitation in many schools remains dire. Public and private pre-primary and primary schools across Uganda still struggle with dilapidated toilets and a lack of proper sanitation facilities, leaving students vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhea, typhoid, and respiratory infections.
Bamwine Julius, the District Health Officer (DHO) for Ibanda, noted that many children fail to wash their hands after using the toilet due to inadequate hygiene facilities, increasing their risk of infection.
“Given our culture of sharing, children often eat together using their hands, especially during break and lunchtime. Without hand washing facilities, they are at risk of spreading infections,” Bamwine explained.
The education sector has also raised concerns over the impact of poor hygiene on school attendance and performance. Nyesigire Robert, the Education Officer for Ibanda District Local Government, pointed out that the lack of proper hygiene facilities contributes to increased absenteeism.
“Many children miss school due to preventable hygiene-related illnesses. Improved sanitation can significantly reduce these cases and enhance learning outcomes,” Nyesigire said.
Local government leaders have acknowledged the sanitation crisis and called for more investment in hygiene infrastructure. Kweyamba Ruhemba, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Ibanda District, highlighted the correlation between modern hygiene facilities and academic performance.
“Only about 16 schools in the district have modern toilet facilities, and these tend to be among the best performers in national exams,” Ruhemba noted.
However, he stressed that simply providing facilities is not enough—proper hygiene practices must be instilled at a young age.
“Even if a school has modern toilets, students must be taught how to use them correctly. Hygiene education is just as important as the infrastructure itself,” he added.
Ruhemba also revealed that the district government is constructing a modern toilet facility in Ibanda, which will serve both students and the local community, with maintenance costs covered by users.
The hygiene challenges in Uganda are part of a broader sanitation crisis across Sub-Saharan Africa. According to recent reports, 779 million people in the region lack basic sanitation services, while 839 million lack basic hygiene facilities.
Inadequate sanitation has far-reaching consequences, including the spread of diseases such as cholera and malaria. In 2023 alone, malaria caused nearly 600,000 deaths, with 94% of cases occurring in Africa, highlighting the urgent need for improved hygiene infrastructure.
While the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program has made significant strides, experts say much more needs to be done to address Uganda’s hygiene crisis comprehensively.
Bamwine, the DHO for Ibanda, urged continued investment in sanitation infrastructure, particularly in rural schools.
“We need more partnerships and government support to ensure that all schools, especially in rural areas, have proper hygiene facilities. This will not only save lives but also improve education outcomes,” he said.
As Uganda works toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 ensuring clean water and sanitation for all—the success of programs like Hygiene Quest offers a glimpse of what can be achieved with targeted interventions.
However, without sustained investment and policy support, millions of children will remain vulnerable to preventable illnesses that threaten their education and well-being.