UP Zambia is excited to welcome Bob Mwewa, a seasoned legal practitioner with a decade of experience navigating Zambia’s criminal justice system, his now stepping into a transformative role as UP Zambia Deputy Executive Director.
From years of prosecuting cases involving young people to now championing child-friendly justice, he brings both expertise and heart. His transition isn’t about “switching sides,” but standing exactly where he can make the most meaningful difference for children in conflict with the law.
“As a former prosecutor this isn’t about switching sides; it’s about standing where I believe I can make a meaningful difference. Children need advocates who understand the system from all angles, “Bob Mwewa.
Here is his first conversation with us:
1. What excited you most about joining UP Zambia at this moment in our journey?
What excites me most is UP Zambia’s holistic approach at a time when Zambia really needs it. After a decade of seeing young people caught up in the justice system without adequate support or understanding of their rights, I’m thrilled to join an organization that’s actively working upstream rather than just reacting to problems. The timing feels right both for me personally and for the impact we can make together. As the conversation around child justice and child rights continues to evolve in Zambia, we’re positioned to lead that change and build sustainable systems.
2. What are you most looking forward to as you step into the role of Deputy Executive Director?
I’m most looking forward to building bridges. Bridges between our programs and communities, between different stakeholders in the justice system, and between children in conflict with the law and the victims. I’m excited to connect the lessons we learn on the ground with the policies we can influence at higher levels. Being part of something collaborative and community-centered is energizing and I’m eager to support and learn from the incredible team here who’ve been doing this important work. This role allows me to contribute in ways I couldn’t as a prosecutor.
3. How do you hope to contribute to UP Zambia’s mission of supporting children in conflict with the law and working with other vulnerable populations?
My prosecutorial background gives me unique insight into where the system fails and where intervention can make the biggest difference. I want to strengthen our advocacy work, ensuring that children’s rights aren’t just theoretical but are actually upheld in practice. I hope to use my legal expertise to enhance our training programs for stakeholders, helping them see children not as criminals but as young people who need guidance. Additionally, I want to help amplify the voices of the children and families we serve in policy discussions. My insider knowledge of the system will help us anticipate challenges and advocate more effectively.
4. How does it feel transitioning from being a prosecutor to now standing on the side of defense, especially for children in conflict with the law?
One of my colleagues recently called me Judas, which gave me a good laugh! As a prosecutor, I was often troubled by what I saw, children entering the system without proper legal representation, guidance, or care. This isn’t about switching sides; it’s about standing where I believe I can make the most meaningful difference. Children need advocates who understand the system from all angles, and I’m grateful I can now be that person.
5. What unique experiences or strengths do you bring to the team?
I bring a decade of navigating Zambia’s criminal justice system, I know its strengths and its gaps. I understand how cases are built, what evidence matters, and how decisions are made, which helps us better advocate for children. I also bring relationships with judges, government officials, prosecutors, magistrates, and law enforcement that can facilitate dialogue and collaboration. Beyond technical legal knowledge, I bring a deep understanding that justice can be molded for positive outcomes, especially for children whose futures hang in the balance. And when I put on that gown, my record speaks for itself – there’s no one else you’d rather have in your corner. Bet!
6. What inspires your passion for child rights, justice and social impact?
My passion comes from witnessing too many young lives derailed by a system that wasn’t designed with children in mind. I have seen14-year-olds treated like hardened criminals, bright futures dimmed because no one intervened early enough. I broke a few windows in my teenage years and was lucky to have a system that helped me become the person I am today. Every child deserves that same chance to course-correct, to learn, to grow. When we invest in children, especially those who’ve made mistakes, we’re investing in safer, stronger communities. That’s not just justice; that’s wisdom and foresight.
7. What do you hope to achieve in collaboration with our partners and supporters?
I hope we can create a more responsive and integrated support network for vulnerable children in Zambia. This means strengthening partnerships with government institutions to improve how the system treats children, working with communities to shift perceptions, and collaborating with other NGOs to ensure no child falls through the cracks. I’d love to see us develop model programs that can be replicated across Zambia and help secure the resources and policy changes needed for lasting impact. Ultimately, I want our collective work to mean that fewer children enter the justice system in the first place. And for those who do, they should emerge with hope and opportunity.
Join us in welcoming Bob Mwewa to the UP Zambia Team as we continue strengthening justice for children across the country.