The Department of Fisheries and Livestock in Mambwe District of Eastern Province says it has an annual target of vaccinating 10,000 cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Mambwe District Fisheries and Livestock Director, Gloria Mulenga, states the district did not have a budget for animal stocking and was only conducting vaccination exercises in order to contribute to the increase in live animal population target of 7 million by 2026 as part of the Presidential priority areas.

She has told the media that other collaborating partners such as ADRA were assisting in stocking of animals such as goats through their restocking programme.

Dr Mulenga said her department had so far vaccinated 7,940 cattle against FMD and aims to strengthen extension services as a measure to reduce livestock deaths.

Dr Mulenga further indicated that the district only had sporadic cases of East Coast fever, African swine fever and Trypanosomiasis which were managed through farmers and extension officers, who were assisting in early disease detection, diagnosis and treatment in order to control spread and any possible outbreak.

Mungwi District Commissioner, Muma Musonda, has cautioned civil servants against engaging themselves in politics ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Mr Musonda says civil servants should maintain high levels of professionalism as they execute their duty ahead of the 2026 elections.

He indicated that civil servants have the duty to support and implement government policies and developmental projects.

The media reports that the District Commissioner said this when he officiated at the District Development Coordinating Committee meeting held at the Council Chamber in Mungwi.

Mr Musonda further urged civil servants to take government’s programmes seriously.

He has since emphasised the need for civil servants to find ways of highlighting government policies to the public through several means such as radio programmes.

Mungwi Town Council Secretary, Cleophas Mbotwa, expressed concern that some key stakeholders were absent during the planning meeting.

He noted that involvement of all key stakeholders during such an important meeting is critical because it allows for effective decision making.

he Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has completed and commissioned 17 projects connecting 62 residential, commercial and institutional entities to the national electricity grid in Central Province.

REA Senior Community Development Officer, Vijue Moonga, told the media that the projects have been implemented in Kapiri Mposhi, Mumbwa, Shibuyunji, Mkushi, Serenje and Chibombo Districts.

Mr Moonga said the power projects are in line with the government’s policy of ensuring universal electricity coverage by 2030.

“Our target is to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030. Every corner of Zambia will be electrified by 2030,” Mr Moonga said.

He said more projects are being undertaken in Chibombo and Chisamba Districts.

Mr Moonga said REA will continue connecting rural parts of the country to the national electricity grid to uplift the living standards of the citizens.

“As REA, we will not leave anyone behind in fulfilling our mandate of taking electricity to all parts of the country,” Mr Moonga said.

He said the reduction of electricity connection fees from K4, 800 to K300 by the government for people living in rural and peri-urban areas, is a clear indication of its commitment to connect more people to the national electricity grid.

Mr Moonga further noted that the authority is optimistic that the anticipated high demand for electricity will be effectively met following the implementation of power generation projects across the country.

The Water Resources Management Authority

(WARMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR).

Speaking during the signing Ceremony, Acting Director General Misozi Ngulube says the bilateral partnership is a major step toward safeguarding Zambia’s water security and strengthening national resilience against climate-related challenges.

The media reports that Mrs Ngulube said the MOU comes at a critical time, as Zambia continues to face increasing pressure on its water resources due to climate variability, frequent floods and droughts, rising population demands and competing water uses.

“To effectively respond to these challenges, our country must strengthen technical capacity, embrace innovative technologies and predictive and enhance analytical capabilities,”Mrs Ngulube added.

She explains that the partnership focuses on integrated water resources management, advanced hydrological and groundwater modelling, flood and drought early warning systems, dam safety, hydraulic infrastructure management, water governance, climate change adaptation, and hydro-informatics — including remote sensing, GIS, drone applications and data analytics.

Mrs Ngulube also said the cooperation will enhance WARMA’s capacity in water conservation, water quality forecasting, climate analysis, hydrological planning and water allocation.

She said that the partnership is expected to boost joint scientific research that will support national decision-making and policy formulation.

Mrs Ngulube stressed that the collaboration is not just about institutional relations, but ultimately about improving how Zambia manages its water resources to protect communities and build a resilient economy.

She said the partnership will help strengthen early warning systems, improve agricultural planning, ensure reliable access to clean and safe water, support hydropower production, build national expertise in water science and engineering, and enhance the resilience of households and critical infrastructure.

Mrs Ngulube reaffirmed WARMA’s commitment to making the MoU effective through active data sharing, technical collaboration, research support and sustained institutional engagement.

And Delegation Leader and Chief Engineer from the China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research (IWHR), Peng Wenqi said the MOU will open up a new chapter for the water related management

Dr Peng expressed gratitude for finalising the strategic signing of the MOU between IWHR and WARMA.

Harrington Considers Legal Action Over Mwila’s Racial Remarks on Lubinda

LUSAKA — Former Tourism Minister William Harrington has begun consulting legal counsel on the possibility of filing a criminal complaint against former Patriotic Front secretary general Davies Mwila over televised remarks questioning acting PF president Given Lubinda’s eligibility for office on racial grounds. The comments made by Mwila, broadcast nationally and widely circulated online, have drawn swift condemnation from political, religious, and civic leaders across Zambia.

Harrington described Mwila’s statements as “hateful, offensive, and incompatible with constitutional principles on citizenship.” He emphasized that the 2016 constitutional amendments explicitly removed the parentage clause, affirming that any Zambian citizen holding a green national registration card is eligible to run for president, irrespective of race or ancestry. “To suggest otherwise is to deny the letter and spirit of our Constitution,” Harrington said about Mwila.

His move signals a potential escalation from public censure to formal legal accountability. Harrington said his legal team is assessing whether Mwila’s comments constitute hate speech under existing statutes, including provisions in the Penal Code that prohibit the promotion of discrimination or hatred based on identity.

The remarks surfaced amid intensifying leadership struggles within the Patriotic Front, which has seen multiple figures declare interest in the party presidency. Analysts note that while internal rivalries have produced sharp exchanges, Mwila’s racial framing marked a significant departure from accepted political discourse. “Political competition does not justify rhetoric that undermines the foundational principle of equal citizenship,” Harrington said.

Public reaction was immediate and unified. Editorials, church leaders, civil society organisations, and opposition figures issued statements condemning the comments as dangerous to national unity. Media outlets described the remarks as “reprehensible” and “a betrayal of Zambia’s anti racial legacy.” Commentators recalled that Zambia’s independence movement explicitly rejected racial hierarchy, and that post independence governance has sought to uphold an inclusive national identity.

Harrington stressed that his potential complaint is not motivated by partisan interests but by a duty to protect constitutional values. “The aim is not personal retaliation but to reinforce that public influence carries responsibility,” he said. He warned that failing to challenge such rhetoric could embolden others to use divisive language in future electoral contests.

Zambia’s legal framework includes provisions against hate speech and discriminatory incitement. Harrington argued these laws are not symbolic but serve to safeguard public dignity and social cohesion. If a case proceeds, legal observers say it could clarify the boundaries of lawful political speech and test the judiciary’s willingness to enforce anti discrimination statutes.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has not confirmed whether it has received a formal complaint. Mwila has not issued a public apology or retraction as of December 8, 2025.

Harrington said the episode underscores a broader imperative: that constitutional equality must be defended not only in law but in public conduct. “Zambia cannot afford to normalise language that divides citizens along racial lines,” he said. “The response to this incident will set a precedent for how we handle similar threats to our democratic values.”

Bill 7 Risks One Party Dominance, Warns Governance Activist Changala

LUSAKA — Political and good governance activist Brebner Changala has issued a strong warning that Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 contains provisions that could steer Zambia toward one party dominance. His statement adds to growing concern among legal experts, civil society groups, and opposition figures who argue the bill reshapes the political landscape to favour those in power.

Changala pointed to clauses that adjust representation, expand executive authority, and alter the balance between state institutions. He said these changes are not neutral but deliberately tilt institutional dynamics in favour of the ruling administration. “Constitutional reforms must strengthen democratic competition, not weaken it,” he said.

He recalled that the Constitutional Court previously halted an earlier version of the bill, flagging serious legal and procedural concerns. According to Changala, the current iteration reappears without clear evidence that those judicial objections have been addressed. He expressed alarm that lawmakers are advancing the bill through a process many view as opaque. “Constitutional legitimacy requires transparent correction of flaws, not procedural repetition,” he said.

Changala emphasized that Zambia’s multiparty system depends on fair access to state institutions, equal opportunity for political parties, and credible mechanisms for leadership transitions. He warned that embedding structural advantages for the incumbent risks normalizing one party rule over time. “Once rules are rewritten to entrench those in power, future administrations may extend those advantages, slowly eliminating genuine competition,” he said.

His remarks arrive amid heightened public scrutiny. Citizens across urban and rural communities have voiced concerns through radio discussions, church meetings, and local forums. Many fear the bill centralises authority at a time when expectations for greater accountability are rising. Changala’s analysis provides a framework for understanding how technical legal changes could produce significant political consequences.

He also highlighted the bill’s potential to weaken parliamentary independence. If the executive gains broader discretionary powers while the legislature’s oversight role diminishes, he said, Parliament risks becoming a ceremonial body. “Healthy democracies require strong legislatures that can scrutinise appointments, question decisions, and act as genuine checks on power,” he said.

Beyond institutional mechanics, Changala warned of deeper societal effects. He argued that when political competition narrows, public trust declines. Voter participation drops, civic engagement shrinks, and political influence becomes confined to those with access to state resources. “Such trends are difficult to reverse once entrenched,” he said. “They distort governance, weaken national unity, and create openings for abuse.”

Changala insisted that constitutional amendments of this magnitude must emerge from broad national consensus. He criticized the current process for lacking inclusive consultation, public education, and meaningful input from diverse stakeholders. “Major reforms should not be driven by political strategy,” he said. “They must reflect the long term interests of the entire nation.”

He concluded that Zambia stands at a defining moment in its constitutional journey. The choices made now, he said, will shape the resilience of democratic institutions for decades. By labeling Bill 7 a “formula for one party state,” he aims to raise public awareness and prompt sober reflection among lawmakers.

Changala called on Parliament to withdraw the bill immediately and restart the process with full transparency, judicial compliance, and civic engagement. “This is not about partisan politics,” he said. “It is about whether we preserve a system where power remains limited, accountable, and transferable, or one where it becomes permanent and unchecked.”

His warning reinforces a broader call for restraint from civil society groups and legal professionals. As debate intensifies, observers say the handling of Bill 7 will serve as a critical test of Zambia’s commitment to democratic pluralism and constitutional integrity.