President Hakainde Hichilema has called for stronger collaboration between Zambia and the United Nations Tourism agency, acknowledging the importance of international networks in boosting tourism.
President Hichilema has also reaffirmed his administration’s desire to increase the contribution of the tourism sector to Zambia’s economic growth.
He added that the government is therefore working on enhancing skills, training, marketing and infrastructure development in the tourism sector.
He has underscored that training and skills development in the tourism sector are critical to improving service delivery while infrastructure, particularly hotels, are also a key priority.
The Head of State said this when the United Nations Tourism Secretary General – Elect, Shaikah Al-Nowais, paid a courtesy call on him at State House in Lusaka today.
Mr Hichilema acknowledged that Zambia is not sufficiently marketing the Victoria Falls and said the country welcomes support in that area.
To address this, the President said the government is exploring improved air links, such as increasing flights into Livingstone.
And speaking earlier, U. N Tourism Secretary General – Elect, Shaikah Al-Nowais, has assured the Zambian government of support in the tourism sector.
Ms Al-Nowais, who is scheduled to visit Livingstone, said she is in Zambia to appreciate the tourism landscape, particularly, infrastructure and training facilities.
A 46-year-old driver of Chisamba District has been fined by the Chisamba Magistrate Court, a sum of K3, 000 for committing various traffic offences.
Magistrate Litungi Litungi convicted and fined Stanford Nalishebo of Zimbabwe Compound after he found him guilty upon his own plea of guilty to five counts of traffic offenses contrary to the laws of Zambia.
In count one and two, Nalishebo was charged with the offense of dangerous driving and driving unlicensed motor vehicle respectively, while in count three, driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s license.
In count four and five, the accused stood charged with the offense of driving a motor vehicle without changing ownership and without a valid test certificate respectively.
Particulars of the offense under count one is that on 23rd September 2025, Nalishebo did drive a Toyota Corona bearing registration number ACK 5669 on a public road, namely Chisamba -Boma road dangerously and hit into a herd of cattle that were crossing the road without due care to other road users.
In count two to five, Nalishebo drove the said unlicensed motor vehicle without a driver’s license, changing its ownership and that it had no valid test certificate respectively.
Facts are that on the material day, Nalishebo was nabbed by the traffic patrol team following an accident in which he hit two oxen belonging to Fringilla Farm due to dangerous driving.
“On 23rd September 2025 around 8:00 hours traffic police officers were conducting motorised patrol when they received a report of an accident involving a Toyota Corona Registration Number ACK 5669 which was driven by the accused, and hit into two oxen along Chisamba- Boma road,” facts read in part.
The court heard that the two animals could not walk because they had their front limbs broken and later died as a result of the impact of the accident.
Upon his own plea of guilty and admission to facts as true and correct, Magistrate Litungi found the accused guilty in all the five counts as charged and convicted him accordingly.
In mitigation, Nalishebo pleaded for leniency saying his wife is battling with cancer adding that he supports his family from what is realized from the same vehicle.
“I have taken cognizant of the fact that the convict is a first offender who readily admitted the charge. I have also considered what you said in mitigation,” Magistrate Litungi said.
“I sentence the convict as follows; in count one a fine of K3, 000, in default one-year simple imprisonment. In count two to pay a fine of K1, 000, in default nine months simple imprisonment, in count three a fine of K400, in default two months simple imprisonment.
“In count four, a fine of K500, in default two months simple imprisonment and count five, a fine of K150, in default you shall serve one-month simple imprisonment. The fines will be paid immediately,” Magistrate Litungi said.
Magistrate Litungi said all the fines in five counts shall be non-cumulative, meaning that Nalishebo will pay a fine of K3, 000 with immediate effect, in default to serve a one-year simple imprisonment.
About 5000 Kalomo farmers who were bonded by selling not less than 10 x 50 kilograms bags of maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) as a guideline to access the farmer input support programme (FISP) for this farming season have so far redeemed their e-voucher codes to get their farming inputs for this year.
District Agriculture Coordinator Chisha Sikazwe disclosed this in an interview with ZANIS in Kalomo, stating that out of the 8,500 farmers that sold their maize produce to the Agency, 4,890 farmers have so far redeemed their e-voucher codes with the selected local Agro dealers to get the inputs.
Mr Sikazwe further adds that the remaining farmers out of its 31,000 FISP target are yet to make deposits to access the 2025/26 under FISP.
He says 20,000 small scale farmers have since been put in the system with the process to tag all the farmers expected to be sped up before the actual rain season intensifies.
Meanwhile, some farmers found redeeming their vouchers thanked the Government for the timely release of the inputs saying this would enable them to adequately prepare for this farming season.
“This is a timely move by this government by giving us fertilizers and seed at this time in October, it will enable us to prepare our fields adequately before the rainy season. We really thank the government for this,” said Phebby Michelo, a Kalomo farmer.
Farmers who sold their maize to FRA were bonded and automatically tagged to the Zambia Integrated Agriculture Management Information System (ZIAMIS) with their K400.00 upfront contribution towards FISP being deducted and are now redeeming their subsidized e-vouchers worthy K 8,400.00 with Agro dealers of their choice to get the inputs for this farming season.
Citizens First President Harry Kalaba has expressed concern over the conduct of President Hakainde Hichilema.
In the statement, Kalaba registered his “deep concern and utter disappointment” over President Hichilema’s recent public conduct, which he stated “constitutes a serious breach of diplomatic protocol and a disturbing interference in matters that are still active before our courts of law.”
The statement references President Hichilema’s recent address at a United Party for National Development (UPND) mobilisation event at Mulungushi International Conference Centre. According to Kalaba, during this address, President Hichilema “made public revelations about private conversations he has had with several heads of state,” including the Presidents of Turkey, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Malawi.
Kalaba identified as a particular concern “the President’s admission that he engaged President Erdoğan to facilitate the coming of witnesses to Zambia in a case involving former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Joseph Malanji.” The statement notes this is “a matter that is still active before the courts.”
“This statement is not only ill-advised, but it is also a direct violation of the principle of separation of powers and judicial independence,” Kalaba stated. “The President’s remarks amount to undue influence and political interference in a case that is under judicial consideration.”
The statement further criticizes President Hichilema’s “decision to publicly disclose private and sensitive diplomatic conversations without prior consent or mutual understanding from the other heads of state.” Kalaba described this as a “serious ommission [sic]” that “reflects a worrying disregard for diplomatic norms and international protocol.”
Kalaba stated that “private diplomatic conversations are conducted in confidence to preserve mutual respect, trust, and strategic cooperation between nations.” He advised that if the intention “is to showcase his international contacts, the proper protocol is to coordinate with the respective offices, obtain consent, and allow mutual media coverage.”
“We therefore advise President Hichilema to exercise statesmanship and maturity in his public communications,” the statement concluded. “As Citizens First, we call for the restoration of diplomacy rooted in discretion, mutual respect, and national interest—not cheap political display.”
The Mwense District Administration office has assured teachers that it is working closely with the Department of Education to ensure that promotions and transfers of the teaching staff are done on merit.
District Administrative Officer Phillip Muonga says a transparent system of promotions and transfers would motivate the teachers to work hard in the district.
The media reports that addressing teachers at Mwense Secondary School, Mr Muonga said the government remains committed to ensuring that teachers are motivated through performance and competent-based promotions to various positions in the teaching fraternity.
“As a government, we want to see teachers being promoted and transferred on merit so that everyone can be motivated to work hard,” Mr Muonga said.
He also urged teachers to engage the District Administrative Office whenever need arises, saying the New Dawn government embraces an open door policy.
Mr Muonga also said the government is aware of the strides made by teachers in improving the performance of learners as indicated by the impressive results that were recorded by examination classes last year in the district.
He said he was optimistic that the over 90 percent pass rate target that the district has set for 2025 can be attained through dedication and hard work from both teachers and pupils.
“Let us continue working towards improving learner performance through provision of quality education,” Mr Muonga said
Eastern Water and Sanitation Company (EWSC) is currently owed more than K 13 million in water bills by its client in Chipata district.
EWSC Chipata District Manager, Collins Kayeye says the water utility company is owed about K13,627,688.58 in bills by its clients.
Speaking when giving a report during the Senior District Management Meeting in Chipata chaired by District Commissioner Elidah Banda, Mr Kayeye said EWSC is owed Four Million, One Hundred and twelve thousand, three Hundred and fifty-two Kwacha, Fifty-Nine Ngwee (K4,112,352.59) in domestic water bills.
He said in non-domesticated water bills, Eastern Water is owed a total of One Million, two Hundred and Ninety-two thousand, two hundred and forty-four Kwacha, forty-four Ngwee(K1,292,244.44) while more than K800,000 is captured as kiosk bills.
Mr Kayeye said the water utility company which currently has a production capacity of 10,506 cubic milliliters per day is having a demand capacity of 21,224 cubic milliliters of water per day thereby making a commodity deficit of 10,719 cubic milliliters per day.
“The water demand in the city is higher than the production capacity. We plan to increase the production capacity and we also plan to rehabilitate the water network under the KfW project, “he said.
Mr Kayeye disclosed that the water utility company has achieved 54 percent of sanitation out of the targeted 85 percent due to various challenges.
He said the main reason for the outcome is that the larger population in the district is using unlined pit latrines that contaminate the groundwater leading to poor sanitation levels.
Mr Kayeye said EWSC has managed to repair 378 leakages in Chipata district out of the targeted 402.
He said the high number of leakages experienced in the district were as a result of the dilapidated infrastructure.
Mr Kayeye said the Government through Eastern Water plans to drill 36 commercial boreholes in Eastern Province at the total cost of Sixteen Million, two hundred thousand Kwacha (K 16,200,000).
He said the Government has also funded the rehabilitation of the dilapidated sewer network in Kapata township at the cost of K250,000.
Mr Kayeye said the Government also plans to fund water network improvement in Magazine, Chimwemwe and Mchini townships using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at the cost of Eight Million, Five Hundred Thousand Kwacha (K8,500,000).
Mukubwe Ward Development Committee (WDC) Vice Chairperson, Abioud Nyansho says he is living in fear for his life following an uproar with community members over the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) loans that have not been honoured.
In a walk-in interview with the media in Kabwe, Mr Nyansho said the only crime he has committed was playing the leading role sensitising community members in the ward on the acquisition of the CDF loans.
He claimed that he is being stalked and being threatened with death for what he called failure by the government through Ngabwe Town Council to honour the CDF loan applicants.
“After three months applicants were informed that their loans were approved and people have since been waiting for about seven months. I have visited the local authority advising them to come to my safety by going to the people to explain the status quo,” Mr Nyansho said.
However, Ngabwe Town Council Secretary Hamweende Mpande has described the claims by the vice WDC Chairperson as half-baked truth and expressed disappointment that he opted to rush to the media instead of engaging his office.
Mr Mpande has attributed the delay to the disbursement of the loans to the applicants due to the earlier decision by the government to halt the loan facility because of the high default rate.
“The loans were approved as early as March this year and four months later we got approval of the provincial committee. However, there was a directive by the government to halt the loan component of the CDF due to default rate and pulling these resources together in communities,” Mr Mpande explained.
He, however, said the government rescinded its position after a wide range of stakeholders including Members of Parliament (MPs) opposed that decision.
Mr Mpande said the correct position is that the CDF loan process has reached an advanced stage and is waiting for the release of funds.
He said in view of the imminent disbursement of the funds, about a week ago the loan authority invited ZANACO to conduct financial literacy education to the prospective loan beneficiaries.
“This information was explained and shared with councilors and the WDCs. I don’t know if the complainant is aware of this information. The next step is to release the money to applicants as soon it hits the account,” he stated.
He disclosed that there are eight and 17 applicants for 2024 and 2026 CDF respectively.
Lusaka Lawyer Dickson Jere has reported witnessing the sale of new graves on top of existing ones at Lusaka’s Old Chingwere Cemetery.
In a public post on his facebook page, Mr.Jere said he attended several burials at the cemetery in recent weeks and described the situation as “heartbreaking.” He claimed that local authorities are “selling burial graves on top of existing ones.”
“All old graves have been turned into new graves by digging 3 feet on top of the old 6 feet graves,” Jere stated. “It is chaotic!”
He reported that tombstones have been destroyed and that graves from the 1980s have been desecrated to make way for new burial sites. Jere also issued a warning about the environmental consequences, noting the approaching rainy season.
“What this means is that these shallow graves will be flooded and dead bodies washed away,” he said. “This is very dangerous especially to communities living few metres away.”
Mr. Jere called for the Ministry of Local Government and the Lusaka City Council to “engage urgently and find a lasting solution to the crisis.” He acknowledged that the council has struggled to find new burial grounds as land is now in private hands and costly.
Proposing a solution, Jere referenced multi-storey burial buildings he observed in Israel and Brazil.
“Each floor [has] well maintained graves,” he said. “They import soils to create ‘from soil to soil’ on each floor. So, why can’t we start building multi-storey grave sites like Israel and Brazil have done?”
He also suggested encouraging cremation, while noting “it is not part of our culture.”
Zambia has intensified its campaign for greater private sector investment in agriculture, positioning the country to become a major food hub for Southern Africa.
The call was made by Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Engineer Peter Kapala, during a bilateral meeting with global life sciences company Bayer. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Hand in Hand Initiative Investment Forum 2025 at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome.
Eng. Kapala, leading the Zambian delegation, stated that the country is eager to collaborate with investors to expand production. This aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s ambitious national targets of producing 10 million metric tonnes of maize, one million metric tonnes of soybeans, and one million metric tonnes of wheat annually by 2030.
“Zambia is open for business,” Eng. Kapala said. “We are ready to work with private investors and development partners to unlock the potential of our agriculture sector through increased investment in irrigation, mechanization, and agro-processing.”
He emphasized Zambia’s strategic advantages, including its central location in Southern Africa with borders to eight neighboring countries, providing access to a regional market of over 400 million people. The country also boasts vast tracts of arable land, abundant water resources, and a stable investment climate, making it an ideal base for agribusiness expansion. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Engineer Peter Kapala in Rome
To attract investors, the government has implemented several key reforms. These include modernizing the seed and livestock sectors, establishing mechanization hubs, and improving access to agricultural financing. These initiatives are designed to enhance productivity and competitiveness across the entire agricultural value chain.
Eng. Kapala also highlighted government-led programs like the Sustainable Agriculture Financing Facility (SAFF), which enables smallholder farmers to access affordable loans for investments in solar-powered irrigation. Such efforts are critical for ensuring year-round production, reducing dependence on rainfall, and promoting climate-smart agriculture. The government is simultaneously investing in rural infrastructure, storage facilities, and digital platforms to improve farmers’ access to domestic and regional markets.
The Swedish Minister Counsellor and Deputy Permanent Representative to FAO, Marija Milivojevic, commended Zambia for its conducive investment environment. She pointed to Bayer’s Itaba Project in Kabwe as a prime example of successful private investment driving agricultural growth.
Ms. Milivojevic cited Bayer’s newly commissioned €32 million maize seed facility in Kabwe, which triples the company’s production capacity for high-quality seed in Zambia. The facility’s output will support maize consumption for approximately 30 million people across the region.
The Itaba Project is projected to reach 6.4 million smallholder farmers in Zambia and other Sub-Saharan African countries this year, with a goal of serving 10 million farmers by 2030. This investment is the second largest by a European company in Zambia, reflecting growing international confidence in the sector.
Eng. Kapala concluded by reaffirming the government’s full commitment to supporting such investments, which demonstrate Zambia’s readiness for large-scale agricultural projects that create jobs, boost exports, and strengthen food security.
“We want to see more investments like Bayer’s projects that transfer technology, empower farmers, and help us build resilient agricultural systems,” the Minister said.
He urged donor agencies and international financial institutions to leverage Zambia’s progress by channeling more funding toward critical areas like irrigation, mechanization, and agricultural research, solidifying the country’s role as a sustainable agricultural hub for the region.
Minister of Fisheries and Livestock Engineer Peter Kapala (R)
Government has commended the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) for facilitating industrial growth, trade and public safety in Zambia.
Permanent Secretary (PS) for Special Duties at Cabinet Office, Milton Chibeleka, says industrial growth, trade and public safety are essential in achieving the aspirations of the people.
Mr Chibeleka further commended ZABS for its role in promoting standardisation, quality assurance and consumer protection on food stuffs and non-food substances in the country
He said ZABS is a key partner in advancing national development espoused in the Eighth National Development Plan and the Vision 2030.
Mr Chibeleka explained that the institution has made significant progress in expanding testing capacity, upgrading laboratories and enhancing compliance with regional and international standards.
He said this when he toured ZABS in Lusaka today.
He said the government prioritises quality in products that are produced both locally and internationally.
“Your work contributes significantly to industrial growth, trade facilitation and ensures public safety which are essential to achieving our national aspirations,” he said.
Mr Chibeleka has also challenged ZABS to ensure that products produced by small and medium enterprises in the country adhere to acceptable standards.
Meanwhile, Mr Chibeleka has disclosed that the government has come up with a Public Service Change Management, a framework that looks at and addresses products, excellence and performance.
Mr Chibeleka said this document calls for the public and the private sector to do their best and change the mindset in terms of output and performance in order to develop the country.
Later, Mr Chibeleka, who was accompanied by Human Resource Officer Rabson Manda, toured and inspected the laboratory to familiarise himself with the operations.
And speaking earlier, ZABS Executive Director, Nathan Sin’gambwa, said ZABS ensures that products that are manufactured locally and those that enter into the country are of high quality.
Mr Sing’ambwa explained that the production of food and non-food products and other essential services should be in line with the International Standards Organization (ISO), which comprises experts and technicians that approve recommended specifications for products.
He further disclosed that ZABS is constructing a new and bigger laboratory plant in Lusaka owing to limited space at its current location.
The Lusaka City Council (LCC) says it receives approximately K150, 000 every month for administrative purposes towards the Cash for Work programme.
Town Clerk, Liftery Ndaba, said in an interview that part of the money is also allocated to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers as well as purchasing other necessary tools.
Mr Ndaba said in efforts to prevent any possible safety risks, some workers under the Cash for Work programme are encouraged to use their own safety gears due to the increasing number of people.
He has however stated that no tragedies have been recorded so far, adding that the programme has generally been a success considering that the objectives have been met.
The Cash for Work programme was launched in August and September 2024 in response to the 2023-2024 drought crisis in order to financially support vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, Chainda Ward Councilor in Lusaka, Patrick Mpundu, has attributed the lack of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the increasing number of people working under the programme.
Mr Mpundu has since requested for more funds to be allocated towards PPE in order to promote public health and safet
The European Investment Bank’s Development arm (EIB Global) says it is committing US$110 Million to strengthen agricultural development across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Zambia, alongside Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Benin are countries set to benefit from the loan financing, which will support the modernisation of processing plants of commodities such as cashew, soy as well as cardinal storage, transport and infrastructure.
The EIB financing takes the form of a loan given to an international commodities company (ETG), one of Africa’s leading agribusiness supply chain players.
The project also supports ETG’s Farmer Extension Services (FES) programme that is in line with its long-standing commitment towards promoting sustainable agriculture.
The services include training and technical assistance programmes to support technology and knowledge transfer to smallholder farmers, as well as community based initiatives that will help farmers improve yields and adopt sustainable practices.
The announcement was made during a signature ceremony on the margins of the World Food Forum that took place in Rome, by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Vice-President, Gelsomina Vigliotti.
Ms Vigliotti stated that by unlocking sustainable investment, EIB is helping smallholder farmers and rural communities to build a more resilient future.
“This partnership with ETG shows how targeted private-sector engagement, supported by EIB Global, can deliver real change,” added Ms Vigliotti.
Meanwhile, ETG Chief Treasury Officer, Paul van Spaendonk, welcomed the new agreement, citing that this will propel efforts to foster food security in the region.
“This significant financing will accelerate our efforts to enhance agricultural competitiveness and food security across Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
This is according to a press statement issued to ZANIS today by EIB Media Officer, Harriet Ongaki.
President Hakainde Hichilema says he has instructed that all energy projects in Zambia should be given presumptive approval.
The President adds that all energy projects have to be processed quickly without any obstacles.
President Hichilema said this when he graced the Southern Province Investment and Trade Exposition in Livingstone today.
“For all investors looking for investment in energy, in this room or outside, submit your checklist standing in your way.
“No ZEMA or WARMA to say wait, so that we can end load shedding,” he said.
And President Hichilema says the country is on the right path to achieve one million tonnes of copper production this year.
“We are confident as we increase our exports, as we knock on the doors of one million tonnes of copper this year, never achieved in the history of mining in our country.
“Today we are talking about beef exports, a project we envisioned from opposition and started off by pronouncing beef zones,” the President added.
The Head of State further announced that the first shipment of beef exports would be landing to the customers in Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“Before we took public office in 2021, retirement benefits were outstanding for 20 years back. They have all been paid since we came into office. That’s why trade is important. To achieve that, is good leadership, intentional leadership. That’s what this government brings to the table,” he said.
President Hichilema also noted that since the reintroduction of the free education policy, 2.3 million learners have returned to school.
Additionally, the President announced that the cabinet has approved a multi facility economic zone in Monze District of Southern Province that will see the assembling of tractors once operational.
“We will be assembling tractors in Monze very soon. We want to see beef being processed, because of the beef zones we are doing, we want value addition. This means more jobs,” President Hichilema stated.
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga
Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga, described the recently signed Local Content statutory instrument as progressive to both investors and Zambian businesses.
And, Southern Province Minister, Credo Nanjuwa, said the province is investing in technology such as irrigation schemes, mechanisation and agro processing industries that will not only boost productivity but also create jobs for the people.
He said the provincial administration is determined to translate policies into tangible outcomes that will build a region which produces and adds value to local products.
And President Hakainde Hichilema has urged traditional leaders across the country to make land available for investment opportunities that will stimulate economic growth and improve the livelihoods of their people.
Speaking in Livingstone today when he officially opened the 2025 Southern Province Investment and Trade Exposition, the Head of State emphasised that investors are eager to establish large-scale projects, particularly in renewable energy such as solar power, within chiefdoms.
He noted that such developments would create jobs, enhance energy access, and accelerate rural transformation.
President Hichilema commended progressive traditional leaders who have already embraced investment partnerships by providing titled land for development.
Chief Mukuni
He cited Chief Mukuni among those who have allocated significant portions of land to investors, enabling the establishment of various infrastructure and energy-related projects.
The President stressed that unlocking land for sustainable investment remains a key driver of Zambia’s economic agenda, as it fosters inclusive participation and ensures that rural communities benefit directly from national development initiatives.
The Southern Province Expo, being held at the Livingstone Golf Club, has attracted local and international investors, exploring opportunities in energy, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.
The voter registration exercise in Luampa District of Western Province this morning commenced with an enthusiastic turnout, with scores of residents lining up as early as 7:00 AM to register.
The exercise, which began on October 13 and is set to conclude on November 11, 2023, has already sparked calls for an extension from community members.
A check by the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) found long queues of residents eager to register, some arriving before official opening hours.
The high participation is largely attributed to the recent roll-out of National Registration Cards (NRCs), which has enabled many first-time voters to participate.
Kayombo Mutesi, a resident of Makuyu in Kahumbu Ward, Luampa Constituency, highlighted the significant number of first-time registrants.
“Many people did not have National Registration Cards (NRCs) in 2021 despite qualifying as voters, so they couldn’t register then,” Mutesi explained.
He expressed gratitude to the government, stating, “We thank the government for rolling out the issuance of NRCs effectively, this has enabled a number of people to turn up for voter registration.”
Given the large number of new registrants, Mutesi has since urged the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to consider extending the registration period.
Meanwhile, residents in Chacha have lauded the voter education exercise being implemented by the ECZ alongside the registration process.
Judy Mabenga of Sepo Village in Chacha told ZANIS that the initiative is proving crucial for rural communities.
“Most people in this area don’t understand the importance of voter registration, which often leads to low voter turnout.
“With the implementation of voter education, we have learned the importance of exercising our rights to vote. This time, I expect a large turnout, especially among young people,” she said.
Masumo Ngenda, from Kakulo Village further emphasised the value of the education programme, particularly regarding the removal of deceased voters from the roll.
“Removing deceased voters is one area people haven’t taken seriously, but through voter education, I’ve learnt the importance of having the deceased removed to reduce the cost of running elections.
“The resources saved can then be channeled to other developmental programmes,” Ngenda explained.
The voter registration exercise will provide citizens with a critical window to secure their right to participate in future elections.
Kasama District Commissioner, Annie Paul, has dismissed social media rumours alleging that a named school is charging pupils to benefit from the school feeding programme being implemented by Mary’s Meals.
The media reports that Mrs Paul has clarified that the school feeding programme is free of charge and supported by the government, with the aim of improving the nutrition status and academic performance of learners.
She stressed that no school in the district is requesting parents to contribute money towards the programme, noting that parents have instead embraced the initiative through the Parent Teachers Committee (PTC).
“I am happy that at this school, the PTC leadership is at the forefront in supporting the implementation of the school feeding programme which has positively impacted the lives of learners,” she said.
Mrs Paul further explained that parents are only asked to assist by cooking meals for pupils as their contribution.
She warned against spreading false information that could discourage stakeholders from supporting the initiative.
“These lies circulating on social media can negatively affect the implementation of the programme, and my office will not tolerate such behaviour,” she cautioned.
She made the remarks when she addressed parents at Mubanga Chipoya Primary School in Kasama District.
Meanwhile, parents have also expressed disappointment over the false social media claims, reaffirming their support for the feeding programme.
One of the parents, John Botton, said the initiative is running smoothly and has led to noticeable improvements in children’s academic performance and health.
“The school feeding programme is impacting positively on the health and academic performance of our children,” he said, urging fellow parents to continue supporting government programmes that promote education and nutrition.
He further stated that those spreading falsehoods online do not mean well for the community.
Mr Botton also called for respect towards school head teachers, describing them as key partners in nurturing learners into responsible citizens.
“We should learn to appreciate the roles school administrators play in shaping our children’s future and instilling good morals in them,” he added,
