By Agatha Christie Akello

Years ago, in primary school, the senior women teachers would take aside the girls when they got into higher classes and tell them about “that time of the month” in hushed tones. 

They were warned severely about telling anything about this to the boys, shamed for staining their dresses and cautioned against being “touched”. Sadly, there was no clear information about the menstrual cycle and so many went through it with many questions but few to no answers. The other problem was that pads were not as easy to get if a girl suddenly started their period. This was not only a school problem. 

In many places today, you will find free condom dispensers including in university accommodation hallways and public restrooms. But not pads, yet this is a natural monthly occurrence for most females for a big part of their lives.

This is why Esther Kakihoza came up with the idea of Cleanette, a sanitary pad vending machine for schools and businesses. What started as a class project has turned into a business looking to empower comfort for women during their menstrual cycle. 

We spoke to her Kakihoza about how the business began, what motivates her, the challenges she has faced, and her hopes for the future. 

Q: Let’s start from the beginning—what inspired you to start Cleanette? Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realise this need?

A: In my first year at Makerere College of Business and Management Sciences (COBAMS), I was inspired by my OGs to minor in an entrepreneurship course. At the time, students came up with business ideas and won up to Shs1 million in funding. My friends had created a brilliant manual washing machine that year and won.

Unfortunately, the business competition was scrapped in the year I finally met the criteria to participate. Instead, we were tasked to write business proposals in groups of 10. My teammates and I decided to research individually and go with whoever found the most feasible idea. One of us saw a TikTok video wherein a man was making chocolate vending machines out of cardboards. Then I thought, “Pads! Let’s make vending machines but for pads!” 

We did the proposal and got decent marks for it. I later came back to the idea when we were told to do individual business proposals instead of internship like the classes before us and the those after us were doing, and that was my first encounter with period shame. My lecturer did not find it feasible but at the back of my mind, I knew that if I ever got a chance, I would invest in the idea.

That chance came earlier than I anticipated. Because of a few retakes, I missed graduation in November 2023. I could feel the tension around my parents and was slipping into a deep depression. I needed to find a purpose or way to survive. So, I picked up the idea again. 

Q: How did you turn that idea into something real? What did building and testing the very first dispenser look like?

A: The first thing I did was tell my best friend Cynthia Baakira, who is now my co-CEO, and everyone about it. Which is how I learnt of the Science Week in Kololo. It was a science and innovation trade fair where people were showcasing their creations. That’s where I met Joan Byamugisha, who was exhibiting a 3D printing machine on behalf of Makerere University. 

My first attempt was to make a 3D printed sanitary vending machine. It made sense at the time. Cynthia and I were already delusional about how much money we’d make while changing girls’ lives. Joan put me in touch with her colleague who advised we try out a cardboard model for easy measurements and printing. 

The Cleanette pad dispensing machine

The cardboard model didn’t work and out went the delulu! However, Samuel Nyakana, a friend and innovator advised me not to give up. He introduced me to an engineering student at the Innovation Hub. At the hub, I was advised to send a computer aided design to China then have them send an already made machine. That did not work either! Because the inside parts were not fitting and could barely dispense. 

Samuel then introduced me to a Mzee at CEDAT with the thinking that it would be easier and cheaper to make the machine in Uganda. His suggestion aligned perfectly with my Buy Uganda Build Uganda (BUBU) intentions. So, I engaged the Mzee who also failed to make the machine and even stopped answering our calls. 

I had invested so much time, money and energy into the project at this point and was so discouraged by the Mzee. We gave up. We stopped talking about it and phase two of depression hit. 

Around March 2024, my friend Jonan Twinamatsiko offered me a Sales & Marketing role at his company, Falz Limited. I worked diligently for a few months until something nudged me to present my idea to Mr. Twinamatsiko.

Jonan advised me to first find out the cost of buying the vending machine from China as opposed to building it on my own. To my surprise, it was more affordable to simply import the machine. He then agreed to partner with us on the Cleanette Project.

From then on, I resigned from my sales position and focused solely on growing Cleanette. Through our joint venture Kaaju Entreprise Limited, we tested the first machine in Bugolobi market in partnership with Shuya Pads. We later had a successful brand launch. We also approached the Ministry of Health where Dr. Diana Atwine contributed to our venture and now sits on our board of trustees. 

There have been a few wins in the last two years and we are looking for grants to expand. I am also grateful that Jonan gives me the freedom to make mistakes and learn on my own. 

Q: What has the journey been like so far? What are some of the biggest surprises or challenges you have encountered along the way?

A: The biggest surprise has been how much imposter syndrome can hold you back from achieving things. I recognise that it is easy for me to lead with low self esteem. At the brand launch, Miss Uganda pledged 10 machines! I am also still shocked that Dr. Diana invested in us. While we are yet to realise our goals, the support from my friends and well wishers along the way have been encouraging. 

From left to right: Racheal Tania Naijuka, Founder of Tania’s Reusables; Miss Uganda 2025/2026, Esther Kakihoza, Co-Founder, Cleanette; Dr. Diana Atwiine, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health; Cynthia Baakira, Co-Founder, Cleanette; and Anne Muhairwe, Deputy Inspector General of Government at the official launch of Cleanette

Besides capital, the biggest challenge has been people’s opinions. Especially those I hold in high regard. Not to mention, people, particularly men who happen to be our biggest investors, are still very uncomfortable talking about menstruation. They also find it childish and regard it as “woman things.”

In fact, one of my biggest motivators is ending period shame.

Q: It’s interesting that you brought up period shame. Menstrual health still faces stigma. How do you think innovations like Cleanette are helping society change the way we approach periods? 

Firstly, I believe this is a scalable business and that has been my hook for the men who find this conversation uncomfortable. We import two kinds of machines. One dispenses pads for free and the other requires a Shs500 payment. The free one is great for schools, but they would have to create a budget for pads. The paid one can be for restaurants, malls and the like. 

My dream is to have every public restroom have a pad dispensing machine. Malls, offices, restaurants, schools — everywhere! 

This is also great for businesses to have a constant supply of menstrual products in their restrooms. I noticed that Le Botti [ a bar and lounge in Kisementi] has free pads only on Thursdays. That’s good marketing for ladies’ night, but women still go there on other days and Cleanette is able to meet this demand.

Q: Let’s talk impact. Where are these dispensers currently available, and what kind of response have you seen from girls and women using them? 

A: Leading up to the brand launch, we placed the first machine near the Bugolobi Market washrooms. We were looking for a place that had many women and the feedback was great! Sadly, we had to take it back for showcasing. One of the ladies feared that we would not return. They loved the convenience. “Will you be back? Don’t tease us with good things!” she said.

Q: If someone wants to support Cleanette, where can they find you? 

At this stage, support looks like preordering a machine for your establishment. Our offices are at Minister’s Village Ntinda. You can also reach me via email at estherkakihoza23@gmail.com, on Instagram on @cleanette_ug or @kakihoza_ and on X, on @EstherKakihoza or @cleanette_ug