Chief-elect, Brian Mwewa has been installed as Chief Katuta-Kapemba of the Chishinga people in Mwense District, Luapula Province.

The installation comes after over 10 years of the chieftainship remaining vacant following succession disputes that engulfed the chiefdom.

ZANIS reports that speaking when he witnessed the installation ceremony, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary Charles Mushota bemoaned the challenges government faces in implementing developmental programs in the absence of a chief.

“The impact of being without a Chief has been felt by the people of Katuta Kampemba Chiefdom and Government in particular, which relies on the Tradition Leadership in the implementation of various development projects in the Chiefdoms,” Mushota observed.

Engineer Mushota revealed that government is collaborating well with tradition leaders in the District as it recognises that Chiefs are major stakeholders in development.

He cited the land given for the construction of a bridge at Chalwe under the Mwenda Kasome road project by chief Mulundu as one of the collaboration that government has had with the chief that will impact positively to the lives of the people of Mwense.

Earlier Chief Mulundu of the Chishinga people of Mwense District called on the subjects to Chief Katuta Kampemba to support the new Chief.

Meanwhile, standing in for Mwense District Commissioner, Sabeta Mwansa thanked the people of Katuta Kampemba for being peaceful during the period the Chiefdom was experiencing succession wrangles.

“This ceremony cannot go without appreciating you the people of Katuta Kapemba for remaining peaceful during the time there where misunderstandings in the chiefdom, please continue to remain peaceful,” Mr Mwansa said.

The installation follows the death of Chief then Chief Katuta Kapemba Robert Kapansa who died on December 25, 2010.

The installation ceremony was attended by Chief Kashiba, Chief Munkanta, sub chief Kabila and sub chief Kabanda, Senior Government Officials were also in attendance.

The Lusaka High Court has granted Chief Liteta of the Lenje speaking people of Chibombo District an ex-parte injunction restraining Chief Chitanda from being installed as new Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe.

This is in the matter in which Chief Liteta is challenging the selection of his counterpart Chitanda as Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe the sixth (VI) of the Lenje Speaking people in Central Province.

The order of interim ex-parte injunction issued by Lusaka High Court Principal Registry, stops Chief Chitanda from being installed on the throne of Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe pending inter parte hearing of the matter in the court.

ZANIS reports that the court has set April 19, 2021, as a day of inter parte hearing of the matter.

Meanwhile Chief Liteta has also sued, as second defendant, Chief Chamuka of Chisamba District who chaired the Electoral College of Ba Temboshi Clan that selected Chief Chitanda as Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe.

Chief Liteta is contending that he is the rightful heir to the throne of Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe as he is the longest serving Junior Chief than his counterpart Chitanda.

Meanwhile, both Chief Chamuka and an advisor to Chief Chitanda Yuka Kaputula have told ZANIS that they are aware about the court injunction but said they have not yet been served with the copies.

Chief Chamuka has however confirmed that the installation ceremony has since been postponed to a later date.

Chief Chitanda was scheduled to be installed today April 10, 2021, as Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe the sixth, at Likonde Lya Bakanga Traditional shrine.

This was after he was appointed to be the heir to the throne last month, following the death of Chief Chipepo in February this year, who was Senior Chief Mukuni Ng’ombe.

Kasama Mayor, Fredrick Chisanga has called for the full integration of sex workers into society.

Mr. Chisanga noted that there is a need for people to also end discrimination against sex workers but enable them realise their potential.

Speaking when he officially opened a one-day stakeholder’s workshop in Kasama organized by USAID, Mr Chisanga noted with sadness that sex workers remain stigmatized, marginalized and criminalized by the society they live in.

Mr Chisanga noted that the reintegration of these groups of people will help to reduce transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

“The meeting could not have come at a better time than now when the local authority is empowering women in different spheres in an effort to eradicate poverty,” he added.

Mr Chisanga further noted that such empowerment will enable women to be self-reliant.

And speaking on behalf of the participants, Priscilla Banda thanked USAID for embarking on the project to reintegrate sex workers into society.

Ms. Banda expressed happiness that this will help protect and uphold the rights of adolescent girls and young women against sexual and gender based violence.

Earlier, District Avencion Lead facilitator, Phil Chipanta disclosed that the project which is being implemented in six provinces is targeting adolescent girls and young women, people living with HIV and mobile populations among others.

“The project works with communities and adolescent girls and young women to prevent HIV, unwanted pregnancy and sexual and gender based violence,” Mr Chipanta added.

He further revealed that the project aspect includes economic strengthening of the adolescent girls and young women as a strategy to counter vulnerability which exposes them to HIV.

The workshop attracted participants from the business sector, civil society organisations and the local government.