A recent job advertisement by the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (JWTZ) has sparked intense debate in Parliament. At the center of the controversy is a requirement that applicants must have completed National Service (JKT), a criterion that Parliament previously voted to remove.
What Sparked the Debate?
On April 30, 2025, JWTZ announced job openings for professionals in various medical and technical fields. The advertisement, issued by Acting Director of Information and Public Relations, Colonel Gaudentius Ilonda, outlined that eligible applicants must possess a JKT certificate — either from voluntary or compulsory service.
This stipulation quickly drew criticism from lawmakers, especially Mbozi MP George Mwenisongole, who questioned why the military had reinstated a requirement Parliament had already resolved to eliminate.
View JWTZ Job Advert Here: New JOBS: Call for Applications at Tanzania People’s Defence Force (JWTZ)
Parliament Pushes Back
Speaking during a session on May 8, Speaker Dr. Tulia Ackson demanded answers from the government. She referred the matter to Minister William Lukuvi, who acknowledged the resolution’s existence but claimed it did not directly target JWTZ.
“This creates confusion,” said Dr. Tulia. “If the military insists on JKT, then they should recruit applicants and send them for training themselves — not disqualify people upfront.”
A Look Back: The Original Resolution
The debate over JKT began in February 2024 when MP Mwenisongole raised the issue. At the time, several defense and security institutions were filtering applicants based on JKT or JKU (Jeshi la Kujenga Uchumi) training. Parliament held a heated debate and eventually passed a resolution to remove the requirement altogether.
The reasoning? Thousands of Tanzanian youths who complete their studies are automatically excluded simply because they never had a chance to attend JKT — not due to a lack of merit.
Job Opportunities Announced
Despite the controversy, the advertised roles remain open. JWTZ is seeking:
- Surgeons (general, orthopedic, and urologists)
- Radiologists (X-ray, MRI, CT)
- ENT specialists
- Internal medicine doctors
- Ophthalmologists
- Oncologists
- Mental health specialists
- Emergency and laboratory medicine professionals
- Veterinary doctors
- Biomedical engineers
- Dental lab technicians
- Aviation health officers
Applications must be handwritten and delivered to JWTZ Headquarters in Dodoma between May 1–14, 2025.
Why Parliament Wants Equal Opportunity
The Parliament’s resolution emphasized three key points:
- Limited JKT Capacity – JKT cannot accommodate every Form IV and VI graduate.
- Post-Hiring Training – Security agencies have the ability to train staff after recruitment.
- Merit-Based Access – Many applicants meet all other job requirements except the JKT certificate.
Speaker Tulia reaffirmed that the resolution should be respected until the government can provide JKT training to all school leavers.
Conclusion
As the deadline for applications approaches, the debate over fairness in public recruitment continues. Parliament’s stand is clear: no Tanzanian youth should be denied opportunity solely based on JKT training, especially when systemic barriers prevent equal access to that training.
Whether JWTZ will revise its criteria remains to be seen — but one thing is certain, the issue has reignited the national conversation about equity in public service employment.
