President Hakainde Hichilema has challenged Zambians to rise to the occasion and promote, preserve, protect and defend Zambia’s heritage.

President Hichilema says it is time for Zambians to take pride and spread the country’s heritage to the outside world.

The Head of State noted that branding Zambia’s national identity is the responsibility of tourism agents, manufacturers, government officials, the private sector and other stakeholders, including individuals to align their energies and strategies towards the realisation of the Brand Zambia Initiative.

 President Hichilema disclosed this when he officially launched the Brand Zambia Initiative that is anchored on putting the country’s national identity, by promoting economic growth, attracting investment, and instilling a sense of cultural and national pride.

President Hichilema also unveiled the logo of the brand that depicts Zambia’s rich identity and heritage.

He further challenged the Brand Zambia Initiative Technical Committee to work closely with BuyZed Campaign Founder, Evans Ngoma, to heighten and market Zambia to the world.

President Hichilema noted that Zambia is endowed with abundant natural resources that can be harnessed to achieve her goal, vision and determination of realising the brand Initiative.

He wants all Zambians to participate in shaping the country’s future by ensuring that Zambia becomes a tourist hub through capitalising on the natural resources.

President Hichilema further underscored the importance of upholding peace, unity, hard work and patriotism among Zambians.

Meanwhile, the Head of State has expressed displeasure over negative publicity of Zambia by some people and encouraged citizens to preach and spread good news at all platforms about their country.

Speaking earlier, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, James Wakiaga, said the initiative will help redefine Zambia’s image both domestically and internationally.

Dr Wakiaga said the initiative will play a role in unifying the country and pledged the UNDP’s financial support to the government.

Meanwhile, Sophie Masipa, the Brand Zambia Initiative Ambassador, highlighted the criteria implored to arrive at “Zambia Moves You”, that will be used to identify strategies associated with what the country offers.

A firm linked to businessman Valden Findlay has moved to block a search conducted by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), escalating a legal confrontation over the Centre’s investigative actions.

The dispute follows a search undertaken by the FIC as part of an ongoing probe. The firm has since sought court intervention, challenging the legality and execution of the warrant used to conduct the operation.

According to details carried in the Daily Nation of 03/03/2026 , the application questions the procedural basis upon which the FIC carried out the search. The firm argues that the investigative step was irregular and has asked the court to restrain further action pending determination of the matter.

The FIC, established under Zambian law to combat financial crimes including money laundering and related offences, has authority to seek and execute search warrants where it believes there are reasonable grounds linked to financial investigations. Such actions typically require judicial authorisation.

In the present matter, the firm maintains that the search did not meet the required legal thresholds and has called for scrutiny of the manner in which the warrant was obtained and enforced. The court filing seeks relief that would effectively suspend the use of any materials seized during the search until the case is resolved.

The development introduces a fresh legal dimension to the broader scrutiny involving Findlay. The businessman has previously been referenced in high-profile matters attracting public attention, making the latest confrontation with the FIC significant in both legal and political contexts.

Court proceedings are expected to examine whether due process was followed in granting and executing the warrant. At issue will be the interpretation of statutory provisions governing investigative searches and the balance between state powers to investigate suspected financial misconduct and constitutional protections against unlawful intrusion.

Legal analysts note that challenges to investigative searches often hinge on technical compliance with procedure, including the specificity of warrants, scope of materials sought, and adherence to prescribed timelines. A finding in favour of the firm could limit the FIC’s ability to rely on evidence obtained during the operation.

Conversely, if the court upholds the FIC’s actions, it would reinforce the Centre’s mandate to act decisively in financial intelligence operations.

Neither the FIC nor representatives of Findlay are reported to have issued detailed public statements beyond the court filings. The matter now shifts to judicial consideration, where arguments from both sides will determine the immediate trajectory of the investigation.

The outcome of the case is likely to be closely watched, given the implications for financial crime enforcement and the legal boundaries within which investigative agencies operate in Zambia.

Proceedings in the matter are expected to continue as the court reviews submissions related to the search and the relief sought by the firm.

Former National Guidance and Religious Affairs Minister Dr Sumaili has rejected claims suggesting that no one from the Patriotic Front had seen the body of former president Edgar Lungu, stating that she personally travelled to South Africa and viewed the remains shortly after his death.

Dr Sumaili said she travelled to South Africa a day after the former head of state died and had the opportunity to see his body. She described assertions that no one had seen the remains as false.

“I travelled to South Africa a day after the president died and I can say with all my heart, truthfully, that I’ve had the opportunity to see the body,” she said. “So it is a total lie. It is inhuman to even think that maybe somebody is telling lies.”

Her remarks follow ongoing public discussion surrounding the delayed burial of the former president, who has reportedly remained in a morgue for nine months.

Dr Sumaili said the former president had been lying in the morgue for that period, calling the situation unfortunate. She questioned how the country had come to accept the prolonged delay in burying a former head of state.

“Our former president is gone and he has been lying in the morgue for nine months. It is so unfortunate,” she said. “I don’t know who we have become, even as a people. How we, the people of Zambia, have been able to accept such a situation.”

She said the matter carried broader implications, particularly given the stature of the deceased as a former president who had governed the country for seven years.

“Keeping a person unburied, what does it mean? And especially one who had the key to the nation, who ruled the nation for seven years, who did so much in the nation,” she said.

The former minister’s remarks come amid heightened political tension surrounding the circumstances of the burial arrangements. Disagreements over logistics and responsibility have fuelled competing narratives, with various actors offering differing accounts of what has transpired since the former president’s death.

Dr Sumaili did not outline specific details regarding the arrangements but maintained that her visit to South Africa and her viewing of the body were factual. She framed her intervention as a response to claims that no one within the Patriotic Front had confirmed seeing the remains.

Her comments add another layer to an already sensitive national issue, as the delayed burial of a former head of state continues to attract public attention.

The burial of former presidents in Zambia has traditionally followed state protocols, reflecting their status and years of service. The continued absence of a final resting arrangement for the late Edgar Lungu has therefore remained a matter of public concern.

Dr Sumaili said the situation required reflection from citizens, urging consideration of what it means for a nation when a former leader remains unburied for such an extended period.

The former president’s remains, she said, had been in the morgue for nine months following his death in South Africa.