Dettol uses chatbot to teach handwashing in Ugandan schools

KAMPALA, Uganda— The Dettol Hygiene Quest Program has launched its second phase, integrating a digital chatbot assistant to help teachers monitor hygiene practices and scale up handwashing in schools across Uganda.

The announcement coincided with Global Handwashing Day 2025, marking an expansion of the initiative funded by Reckitt, the manufacturer of Dettol, and implemented by Chil Femtech Limited. The program aims to reduce student absenteeism caused by preventable waterborne diseases.

“Today marks the beginning of the phase two of the Dettol Hygiene Quest Program that is changing how our children in school understand the practice of hygiene and hand washing,” said Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, CEO of Chil Femtech, at the launch at Four Points by Sheraton.

Dr. Nabuuma highlighted the new digital innovation, explaining that the Dettol Hygiene Quest chatbot will serve as a digital assistant for teachers, helping them plan lessons, track attendance and monitor hygiene behavior in real-time.

She noted that the first phase had already reached 750 schools in Uganda, constructed 1,500 hand-washing facilities—one for girls and one for boys in each school—and trained teachers on the proper techniques for handwashing education.

Reckitt Country Director Boniface Shaka affirmed the company’s commitment, stating, “Access to hygiene is not a privilege—it is a basic right for every child.” He noted that the program has already reached 450,000 children in 2025 and donated numerous hand-washing stations.

State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Florence Namboozo, who officiated the launch, commended the public-private partnership for aligning the initiative with national priorities.

“Hygiene and sanitation are not merely health issues—they are fundamental pillars of education, economic growth and national development,” Namboozo said, emphasizing that good hygiene directly impacts academic performance. “A child who is sick cannot learn.”

She called on district authorities to ensure the sustainability of the facilities and the effective use of data collected through the AI chatbots.

Dr. Safinah Kisu Museene, Commissioner representing the Ministry of Education, pledged continued government support, stating the program directly supports efforts to keep learners healthy and in school.

“The introduction of the Dettol Hygiene Quest chatbot has brought a new dimension of digital innovation to our education system,” Dr. Museene remarked.

The second phase will expand into new districts, including Gulu, Lira, Sironko and Kampala, with a specific focus on technology-driven hygiene monitoring and sustainability.