The United Party for National Development (UPND) has directed all its lower structures to halt public statements with immediate effect after a series of conflicting remarks from junior officials placed the party under intense scrutiny.

Secretary General Batuke Imenda issued  instructions ,  that all political commentary must be cleared through his office and the Chairperson for Information and Publicity, working through the Party’s Media Director.

“It is the guidance of the Party that all official statements must be cleared through the Office of the Secretary General and the Chairperson for Information and Publicity, through the Party’s Media Director,” Imenda said. He explained that the internal control was aimed at ensuring accuracy, consistency and alignment with the party’s official positions.

The directive follows a turbulent period marked by contradictory statements from individuals at district and youth levels. One of the most notable incidents involved Kabwe Acting Youth Chairman Kelvin Mwangala, who released an early statement suggesting that UPND cadres assaulted former minister Given Lubinda. He later circulated a retraction that differed sharply from his first version, drawing public attention to the conflicting messages.

Tension increased when UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe appeared on television and stated that the party “does not know” Mwangala. The comment created further debate, particularly as opposition figures used the situation to argue that the ruling party lacked centralised control over its messaging.

The incidents coincided with national focus on recent political violence, including the assault at the PF Secretariat, the Kabwe episode involving Lubinda and the stoning of President Hakainde Hichilema’s motorcade in Chingola. In each case, various UPND members published their own accounts before the party had issued verified information, creating a series of competing narratives across social media.

UPND leadership has been attempting to address this pattern for several months. Since the party entered government in 2021, its structures have expanded rapidly, bringing in large numbers of provincial and ward-level leaders who use Facebook to comment on national issues. This growth has increased the number of voices presenting themselves as official spokespeople. According to senior members, statements often appear online before national officials have coordinated a response, resulting in confusion around the party’s stance on sensitive matters.

Imenda said the new directive is intended to re-establish a single authoritative channel. He warned that any member or structure that issues unauthorised statements will be subject to disciplinary measures under the party’s regulations. “Any member or structure found issuing unauthorized statements will be in breach of party regulations and will face appropriate disciplinary action,” he said.

He added that the UPND remains focused on promoting responsible communication. “The UPND remains committed to upholding peace, unity, and the rule of law. We urge all members to continue promoting the values of discipline and responsible communication that our Party stands for,” he stated.

Internal sources say the leadership is concerned that the speed of online commentary has created a cycle where unverified statements are shared widely before the party can confirm facts. This situation became more apparent over the past two weeks, as party members delivered conflicting explanations of the Kabwe violence and the Chingola incident. In several cases, the national secretariat later issued clarifications that differed significantly from the first statements released by lower structures.

The communications blackout will require all district, constituency, ward and youth officials to refrain from making public comments, including on their personal social media accounts, without prior clearance. The party hopes the restriction will reduce public confusion and prevent further contradictions during periods of heightened political attention.

Opposition parties have already incorporated the recent inconsistencies into their criticism of the ruling party. Whether the blackout succeeds in stabilising the party’s message will depend on the enforcement of disciplinary actions in the coming days, as the UPND attempts to re-establish firm control over its internal communication lines.

Minister of Tourism, Rodney Sikumba, says he will on November 25, 2025 sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italian Ambassador to Zambia, Enrico De Agostini, aimed at boosting Zambian-Italian culinary collaboration.

The Minister disclosed this in an interview with the media on the sidelines of the 10th Edition of the Week of Italian Cuisine in the World held in Lusaka.

Mr Sikumba said the MoU is expected to attract more Italian tourists to Zambia and Inspire reciprocal travel, as well as cementing the friendship between the two nations.

“We have a pivot to learn what the Italians are doing and how they are pushing tourism. I strongly believe we have a lot to learn from our colleagues from Italy and create more fusion, but more so on the bilateral side, because what creates a bond between two countries is purely the fusion of two cultures, thereby, creating the bond of friendship,” he explained.

He further stated that the Italian Ambassador has invited 10 students from Zambia Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Studies (ZITHS) to train with a renowned Italian Chef currently in the country.

The Minister indicated that the exposure will give students hands-on experience in Italian food production.

And speaking at the same event, the Italian Ambassador to Zambia, Enrico De Agostini, highlighted the diplomatic value of the Italian Week.

He stressed that the Italian week and cuisine is a basis of diplomacy creating good relations between the two countries.

Mr Agostini stated that hosting the Italian cuisine also showcases the Italian culture to Zambian audiences and provides a platform to identify Zambian talent in the arts industry, forging an unbreakable bond with Zambia.

Patriotic Front presidential aspirant Dr Chishimba Kambwili has issued a firm appeal for calm and stronger law-enforcement measures following the recent assault on PF acting president Given Lubinda, warning that unchecked political violence could undermine the integrity of the 2026 general elections.

Through a statement conveyed by his private secretary, Mwila Kennedy, Dr Kambwili denounced the attack as wholly unjustified, arguing that Zambia’s political contestation must be grounded in ideas, persuasion and peaceful mobilisation rather than physical confrontation. He emphasised that President Lubinda was meeting party structures at a private residence, an activity he characterised as lawful and protected, provided it poses no threat to public order or safety.

Dr Kambwili questioned the logic behind claims that the gathering lacked a police permit, observing that such assumptions cannot serve as a pretext for violent conduct. He reminded citizens that national harmony is founded on respect across all seventy-three ethnic communities and urged the public to uphold Zambia’s long-standing commitment to unity.

He further indicated that law-enforcement agencies now face heightened public scrutiny and called on the police command to respond decisively. According to Dr Kambwili, the immediate priority should be the apprehension of the individual who publicly asserted that the attackers acted out of anger over a supposed absence of a permit. He challenged the notion that political supporters can usurp statutory policing responsibilities.

Describing the incident at the PF Secretariat as disturbing, Dr Kambwili reiterated that the matter warrants a clear and unambiguous reaction from the security services. He recalled previous episodes in which individuals wearing ruling-party regalia were detained briefly and later released without substantive follow-up, arguing that such patterns erode public confidence in the justice system and fail to deter similar acts.

Dr Kambwili urged the Inspector General of Police to ensure that all persons connected to the attack face credible investigations, full due process and transparent prosecution. He contended that recurring arrests without meaningful outcomes contribute to perceptions of selective enforcement.

Addressing UPND members, Dr Kambwili appealed for a principled stance when unlawful behaviour occurs. Accountability, he argued, begins with acknowledging wrongdoing and allowing legal mechanisms to function without obstruction. While noting that the ruling party may not have authorised the actions, he insisted that individuals acting independently must still face the law.

He referenced available footage and images showing attackers dressed in UPND-branded clothing, asserting that this should prompt the ruling party to support disciplinary and legal action rather than downplay the events. He encouraged political actors to avoid dismissive commentary that undermines the gravity of such incidents.

Dr Kambwili stated that remaining silent in the wake of such behaviour would be irresponsible, especially in a period leading toward a national election. Failure to confront political violence, he cautioned, increases the likelihood of broader instability during the 2026 electoral process. His intervention, he clarified, is driven by a desire to safeguard national stability rather than partisan gain.

He reminded Zambians of the nation’s tradition of peace dating back to independence in 1964 and urged all political parties, supporters and state institutions to prioritise cohesion and uphold the rule of law as the election approaches.

Dr Kambwili concluded by calling on the police leadership to demonstrate impartiality and resolve, noting that the public expects firm and timely action from the security services as tensions rise ahead of the 2026 polls.