Kampala, Sep 29 (IANS): The Kiboko Group, an industrial house run by Indians in the east African region, has created a record by spreading the world's largest carpet of 300,000 medicated soaps on a vast ground here to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene in Uganda.
Arthy Muthanna Singh, senior editor of the Limca Book of Records, said the initiative on Friday was a first and would be recorded as the "world's largest soap carpet" in the book, which strings together Indian achievements.
The soap carpet was spread at the Speke Resort in Munyonyo on the shores of Lake Victoria here to mark the 20th anniversary of the Kiboko Group.
"This unique initiative in Uganda is aimed at promoting awareness about sanitation and good hygiene, especially among school-going children," said Sanjeev Gupta, chief executive officer of Kiboko Enterprises.
Gupta said all the soaps used for making the carpet would be distributed for free among children in schools.
"In fact, our plan is to donate about 378,000 Safeguard anti-bacterial soap pieces," he said.
Rebecca Kadaga, Speaker of Ugandan parliament, lauded the contributions of Indian entrepreneurs and business people in Ugandan economy.
"You have played a very important role in the Ugandan economy. You are creating employment opportunities and contributing to the economy directly and indirectly," she said.
"This is like a sea of soaps. I have never seen so many soaps at a time," she said.
In Uganda, according to official statistics, almost 75 percent diseases are linked to poor hygiene as well as inadequate sanitation facilities and practices.
Chuni Shah, chairman of Kiboko Group, said the company has taken several initiatives to promote education and good health in Uganda and other countries in the east African region.
Shah said that basic hygiene like washing hands regularly with soap and taking bath daily could help prevent diseases like cholera and diarrhoea, which are widespread in Uganda and other African countries.
Kiboko Group has interests in manufacturing and distribution. It deals in several global brands like Procter & Gamble, Philips, Himalaya, Global Tea, Godrej, Regal & Zydus Cadilla, Gillette among others.