JINJA — Burugo Primary School from Jinja District has been crowned the national champion of the first-ever Dettol Hygiene Quest Festival, a nationwide competition that used Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) to teach schoolchildren lifelong hygiene habits.
The festival, which concluded its maiden edition in Jinja, drew participation from 159 schools across Uganda, with 25 advancing to the grand finale. Pupils staged creative performances promoting sanitation, hand hygiene and disease prevention, with Burugo Primary School’s presentation earning them the top honour and a token of appreciation for their commitment to hygiene improvement.
The grand finale attracted senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, district local government leaders and representatives of non-governmental organisations. Speakers at the event emphasised the value of innovative, participatory approaches in advancing Uganda’s national health and education goals.
## Arts as a Vehicle for Public Health
Organisers say the festival demonstrated the power of blending cultural expression with public health messaging, helping young learners internalise hygiene practices rather than simply memorising them.
“By using Music, Dance and Drama, we have seen students move beyond rote learning to internalise hygiene as part of their cultural identity,” said Dr. Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Founder and CEO of Chil AI Lab and Focal Person for the Dettol Hygiene Quest in Uganda. “The creativity displayed by Burugo Primary School and all our finalists proves that when we engage children through the arts, the message of health resonates deeply and effectively.”
Dr. Kaliisa confirmed the festival will return. “The success of this year’s festival proves that our children are the best ambassadors for change. We are committed to bringing this platform back next year bigger and bolder to ensure that the culture of health through music, dance and drama continues to inspire every school across Uganda.”
## Combining Technology and Tradition
The Dettol Hygiene Quest is supported by Reckitt, the makers of Dettol, Jik and other consumer products. Technology partners, including Chil AI Lab, complement the creative platform with digital innovations such as the Dettol Hygiene Quest AI Chatbot. Together, these tools are integrated into school activities with the aim of reducing hygiene-related absenteeism and nurturing a generation of healthy, responsible citizens.
The programme bridges digital literacy and cultural engagement, working with government and school partners to improve sanitation infrastructure and promote better health outcomes for students across the country.
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