Graduating from Makerere University with aspirations in education, Nusura found her true calling on a path less traveled—yet profoundly impactful. A personal vendetta against injustice, deeply rooted in her family’s struggles with loss of land and rights, galvanized her shift towards law enforcement. This pivot was not just a career change but the birth of a relentless pursuit of justice for victims of trafficking.
“I will always be on the side of the person who’s right, and I will always try as much as possible to help people who are vulnerable,” Nusura declares.
In her 13 years of service, Nusura has risen to the rank of Superintendent of Police assigned to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions as the vital role of Trafficking in Persons Police Liaison Officer. Her expertise spans sexual offenses and crimes against children—areas where her passion for aiding the vulnerable has deepened.
In 2018, upon her first encounter with HTI, Nusura immediately realized that this partnership would be markedly different from any she had experienced before.
“This is really different from what we’ve been doing or having with other partners. What is special about HTI is that HTI focuses on stopping the traffickers, which is not the case for other partners.”, she reflected. The collaboration has fortified Nusura and her team’s capabilities in identifying, investigating, and prosecuting complex trafficking cases through HTI’s intensive training, resource provision, and direct support.
This symbiotic relationship has yielded remarkable progress in anti- trafficking efforts within Uganda. Nusura affirms the significant impact, saying, “Yes, [HTI has had] a very, very huge impact. You can easily see it in the level of cases that have been taken to court. The partnership with HTI has helped us cut down trafficking cases, because we are now targeting the traffickers and we now have the resources. We have the response teams in the field whom our officers can easily call and they come to their rescue in cases in cases when they need support. So really, we are doing good.”
Another testament to Nusura’s indomitable spirit is her involvement in the initiation and utilization of Victim Assistance Coordinators, a novel approach introduced by HTI to bridge the crucial gap between rescue and rehabilitation. This initiative has markedly improved the care and follow-up for survivors of trafficking, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the fight against human trafficking and the essential role of ongoing support for victims.
Nusura’s story encapsulates a profound trajectory from witnessing the vulnerabilities faced by her own family to becoming a formidable force against human trafficking in Uganda. Her story is not just one of personal triumph but also a compelling narrative of partnership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to protecting people. Through her eyes, we have a glimpse of the impact that determined individuals and collaborative efforts can have on combating trafficking, changing lives, and shaping a safer future for all.
