Tanzanian correction officer makes childhood dream come true

UNMISS South Sudan Malakal correction officer medal parade ceremony protection of civilians peacekeeper Tanzania

Inspector Upendo Musa Kazumba directing a medal parade ceremony in Malakal. It is probably as good as directing drivers through chaotic traffic.

18 Mar 2018

Tanzanian correction officer makes childhood dream come true

Janet Adongo

Growing up, Upendo Musa Kazumba always wanted to be a uniformed officer of the law – a traffic officer to be precise. Today she is part of a team of corrections officers who work together with the UN police round the clock to ensure that law and order is maintained within the Malakal protection of civilians’ site.

 “I was very sporty in school back in my home country Tanzania - and a bit of a tomboy.

I used to gather my mates together and make them carry out mock parades,” muses Upendo.

Recently, Inspector Upendo Kazumba, commanded a real parade, in Malakal, South Sudan. The occasion? A medal parade ceremony for twelve corrections officers representing five countries. Upendo and her colleagues received their medals for their service and commitment to the UN Mission and the people of South Sudan.

“Despite the challenges that come with working in this environment, working with the United Nations is a privilege for me. As women it’s a good opportunity for us to rise up and demonstrate that we can do exactly what our male counterparts do, in whatever sector and at whatever level, with no excuses,” says Upendo.

The officer in charge of the Malakal holding facility, David Afatsawu, acknowledged the achievements of Upendo and the rest of the team, praising its resilience and professionalism in line with international standards for treatment of those under their care.

“We would not have achieved this without the able leadership, directives and support from those above us, and without the team work and collaboration with those who work beside us,” he said.

“I’ve been in this mission for over two years and during that time only three women have been admitted into our facility. This is an indicator of the role of women in peacekeeping – not just those of us in uniform, but all women everywhere can and should take the lead in peacekeeping at whatever level,” says Upendo.

Inspector Kazumba may, currently, not be directing drivers on the slow-flowing streets of Dar es Salaam, as in her childhood dreams. As a peacekeeper and correction officer she does, however, oversee the traffic of people having committed crimes, entering and leaving the holding facility in the Malakal protection site. Together with her colleagues, Upendo also ensures that those being held in custody are treated humanely and fairly.