KAMPALA, Uganda — A recent initiative has brought relief to millions of school-going children in Uganda, providing them with access to improved hygiene facilities.
The Dettol Hygiene Quest Program, implemented by CHIL AI with support from Reckitt, has constructed 1500 handwashing facilities in 750 schools across the country, according to Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, Executive Director of Chil-Ai Lab.
“We have completed the construction of 1,500 handwashing facilities in 750 schools,” Nabuuma said.
The program aims to improve sanitation in pre-primary and primary schools, particularly in districts where hygiene infrastructure is critically insufficient.
The districts benefiting from this intervention include Kisoro, Ibanda, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kasese, Bundibugyo, Rakai, Iganga, and Kamuli.
In addition to the handwashing stations, schools received handwashing soap and hygiene-related class materials to promote behavioral change among learners.
However, a visit to several schools revealed that while handwashing stations have improved, toilet facilities remain in dire condition. Many are dilapidated, substandard, and unhygienic, posing health risks to pupils.
Bamwine Julius, the District Health Officer of Ibanda, noted that cultural practices and the lack of handwashing facilities have made students more susceptible to hygiene-related illnesses.
“Children often share food during lunch and break time without washing their hands. This leads to the spread of diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, which affect school attendance and performance,” Julius explained.
Robert Nyesigire, an Education Officer in Ibanda, echoed similar concerns, stressing that good hygiene habits must be instilled from an early age.
“While handwashing facilities are crucial, the availability of soap and consistent sensitization are equally important. Many children do not understand the risks of poor hygiene, and teachers need to integrate hygiene education into their lessons,” Nyesigire said.
To ensure that the impact of the project is sustained, Sandra Nabakka, Field Supervisor for Dettol Hygiene Quest, emphasized the importance of educational materials.
“We have successfully distributed over 100,000 hygiene guide booklets to learners and 5,000 booklets to teachers across 500 schools. These materials provide step-by-step instructions on proper handwashing techniques and help teachers incorporate hygiene education into their lesson plans,” Nabakka stated.
Edvina Twinomuhangi, the headteacher of Rwengwe II Primary School in Ibanda, expressed gratitude for the materials.
“These resources will help us craft hygiene lessons that emphasize the importance of handwashing at all times. It’s not just about access to facilities but also ensuring that children develop lifelong hygiene habits,” Twinomuhangi said.
The project, funded by Reckitt Benckiser, the makers of Dettol, included provision of free handwashing soap and other detergents to benefiting schools.
Despite these efforts, many schools still lack proper toilets, which remains a major public health concern. Kweyamba Ruhemba, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ibanda District, acknowledged the crisis, revealing that only 16 schools in the district have modern toilet facilities.
“Even if a school has modern toilets, learners must be taught how to use them properly. Poor hygiene practices are a widespread issue, even in urban areas,” Ruhemba warned.
The hygiene crisis in Ugandan schools reflects a broader challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, where millions of people lack basic sanitation services and access to basic hygiene facilities.
Recent reports indicate that 779 million people in the region lack basic sanitation services, while 839 million do not have access to basic hygiene facilities.
In 2023, malaria caused nearly 600,000 deaths, with 94% of cases occurring in Africa.
Experts argue that a multi-sectoral approach is needed to ensure long-term improvements, including increased funding, community involvement, and partnerships between NGOs, private companies, and international donors.
