President Hakainde Hichilema has called on citizens to turn up in large numbers to support his re-election nomination filing while urging them to remain orderly and respectful of other road users and members of the public.

Ahead of filing his nomination papers at Mulungushi International Conference Centre, President Hichilema appealed to supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the event.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, the President encouraged citizens to attend the occasion but emphasized the importance of maintaining order.

“Tag that friend of yours and remind them it’s a big day for Bally today. Come in numbers. But please let’s be orderly, respect other road users and citizens,” he wrote.

He added: “Our journey for development continues.”

President Hichilema was elected Zambia’s Head of State in 2021 after five previous attempts at the presidency. He defeated the then-ruling Patriotic Front administration led by former President Edgar Lungu, securing nearly three million votes.

Several presidential aspirants have already filed their nominations ahead of the August 13 general elections, including Harry Kalaba, Fred M’membe, Kelvin Fube Bwalya and Brian Mundubile.

A 45-year- old businessman of Chipata District in Eastern Province has been arrested for possessing 22 bags of suspected counterfeit fertilizer.

Eastern Province Police Commanding Officer, Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident to Zambia News Information and Services (ZANIS) in Chipata district, adding that the arrest was made yesterday, May 20, 2026.

Mr Mweemba said the suspect, Japhet Banda 45, was arrested on 20th May 2026 around 11:00 hours at Down Shops within Chipata district.

Brief facts of the matter are that a source trading at Down Shops in the area spotted a fellow fertilizer dealer in possession of unbranded bags of fertilizer and alerted the police.

Mr Mweemba explained that during interrogations, Banda revealed that on 16th May 2026 around 17:40hrs, his nephew, Joseph Shawa, informed him that a truck driver was selling bags of D-Compound fertilizer from a truck that had come from Lusaka.

“Banda sent money to his nephew and bought 22 bags of the suspected counterfeit fertilizer, which he kept at his shop for resale,” Mr Mweemba said.

The 22 bags have since been seized and are awaiting laboratory examination.

The suspect remains in police custody at Chipata Central Police Station pending further investigations.

Government has reiterated the important role the Sustainable Luangwa Project (SLP) plays in the promotion of sustainable management of natural resources in Mafinga District, Muchinga Province.

‎Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, Douty Chibamba, said the project is also key in helping to promote biodiversity and the conservation of climate change adoption and in promoting green growth.

‎Dr Chibamba said this when he officially opened the second national Steering Committee Meeting for the Sustainable Luangwa Project held in Chinsali District today.

‎He said the project is designed to enhance rural livelihoods and promote sustainable biodiversity management.

‎He has since outlined the important role the national steering committee plays in ensuring that the project is implemented effectively, efficiently, and in line with agreed objectives and expected outcomes.

‎”This meeting, therefore, provides an important platform for reflection, strategic guidance and collective decision-making on the progress of the project,” he said.

‎He has since challenged stakeholders to ensure the project delivers tangible environmental and socioeconomic benefits for people in Mafinga.

‎”It is important that all responsible institutions strengthen coordination, improve timely implementation of activities and enhance financial and technical reporting in order to ensure efficient utilisation of project resources.

“By working together with commitment and urgency, we can overcome these challenges and ensure that the project achieves its intended outcomes and delivers lasting benefits to communities and the environment. ” he said.

‎And Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary, Brian Sichande pledged the province’s commitment to support this project and other projects being implemented in this province that are aimed at addressing issues of natural resource management and climate change.

‎Mr Sichande has also hailed the potential of the project in protecting the Mafinga Hills ecological system.

‎He indicated that the Mafinga Hills and surrounding areas and the surrounding landscape are valuable natural assets with immense potential that can positively transform the economy of Muchinga Province and the country as a whole.

‎”Protecting this ecosystem is therefore not merely an option, but a responsibility that we must all embrace for the benefit of both the present and future generations.

“The Mafinga Hills ecosystem remains one of the most important natural assets in the Mafinga District and the entire country as a whole. It serves as a critical water catchment area, a biodiversity hotspot, and a source of livelihood for many surrounding communities,” he said.

Meanwhile, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Country Director Nalucha Ziba called for serious collaboration in securing the Luangwa River system through integrated inclusive and sustainable catchment management.

Ms Ziba said WWF is moving isolated interventions towards an integrated landscape-level approach that aligns conservation, livelihoods and economic development.

She has since pledged her organization’s commitment to working with government and other partners to contribute to Zambia’s broader development and resilience agenda.

President Hakainde Hichilema today, attended the funeral mass for late Archbishop Emeritus Telesphore Mpundu who died on Friday, May 15th, 2026.

Speaking during the mass, at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus in Lusaka, Archbishop Alick Banda described the late cleric as an advocate of good governance, social and economic justice.

Archbishop Banda underscored the late Archbishop’s uncompromising stance in protecting human dignity, justice and truth.

He further acknowledged the late Catholic Minister as a compassionate servant of God whose Ministry was grounded in service and purpose, further calling on the church to emulate such virtues.

“If we are to be faithful followers of the Lord, we must dedicate ourselves to the service, placing others before ourselves,” Archbishop Banda implored.

Born on May 21st, 1947, late Archbishop Mpundu rose through the ranks of the Catholic Church and was ordained to Priesthood in 1972.

In 2004, he was appointed as Archbishop of Lusaka, a position he held till his retirement in 2018.

The late Archbishop Mpundu has since been put to rest at a private burial ceremony, witnessed by Catholic Priests and close family members at the Cathedral of the Child Jesus, in Lusaka.

Zesco Limited is conducting a detailed technical investigation to establish the cause of the power supply disturbance that occurred on the Copperbelt last evening, following a technical fault at the Kitwe Substation.

In a statement issued to the media in Lusaka today, ZESCO Limited Managing Director, Victor Loongo, has since apologised to all customers and the public for the inconvenience caused to daily life and business operations.

Mr Loongo, however, said the power utility’s System Control Centre and technical teams responded immediately, in line with established procedures, to stabilise the network and restore supply.

He explained that the protection systems operated as designed to safeguard equipment and prevent wider damage, while noting that the institution regrets the disruption that unplanned outage causes to daily life and business operations.

Mr Loongo further indicated that affected equipment was successfully re-energised the same evening, and normal load configuration progressively reinstated.

He also commended customers and the public for their patience and understanding during the said period.

Mr Loongo assured that Zesco remains committed to maintaining a safe, reliable, and stable electricity supply through continued investment in preventive maintenance, asset monitoring, and operational readiness.

Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa says government recognises that quality healthcare cannot be delivered through public institutions alone, noting that private partnerships are essential in building a resilient health system.

Mr Kangwa has expressed happiness with the introduction of specialised services such as endoscopy and the establishment of a dialysis unit at the Lusaka Trust hospital.

Speaking at the commissioning of the expanded Lusaka Trust Hospital today, Mr Kangwa said the newly expanded facility is a clear demonstration of the hospital’s commitment to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the people.

Mr Kangwa added that the expanded facility is aimed at improving access to quality healthcare services in the country.

He noted that the expansion of the health facility comes at a critical time when demand for quality, accessible and specialised healthcare services continue to increase.

 “As our population expands, the demand for quality, accessible and specialised healthcare increases, therefore, the expansion of Lusaka Trust Hospital is both timely and commendable. These are critical services that will improve access to advanced care within our country and reduce the need for costly referrals outside Zambia,” he said.

Mr Kangwa further commended the hospital management for investing in human capital development, specialisation, retention of healthcare professionals and strengthening partnerships in the health sector.

And Lusaka Trust Hospital Board Chairperson, Chabala Lumbwe said the institution has steadily grown from serving an average of 4,000 outpatients and 200 inpatients per month while employing 110 full time and 25 part time staff.

Mr Lumbwe said the hospital is also contributing to skills development through the provision of practical training in Radiology, Pharmacy and Laboratory services to students from Evelyn Hone College.

He disclosed that the newly commissioned building comes with specialised services such as Dialysis and Catheterisation aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery.

Mr Lumbwe said the commissioning of the expanded facility demonstrates what can be achieved when government, development finance institutions and the private sector work together towards improving health outcomes.

He has since reaffirmed government support to initiatives that meaningfully contribute to increased access to quality healthcare services.

ZANACO Head of Business Banking, Austin Chijkwa described the commissioning of the expanded hospital facility as a significant milestone for Zambia’s health sector.

Mr Chijkwa said ZANACO is proud to have partnered in supporting the successful completion of the project which is expected to enhance healthcare service delivery.

And Lusaka Trust Hospital Manager, Margaret Siwale says the expanded facility presents a great opportunity for healing within the community in Lusaka district through increased bed capacity and improved treatment services.

Ms Siwale also thanked patients for their cooperation during the construction period of the hospital expansion project.

The Ministry of Education’s Director of Teacher Education and Specialised Services (TESS), Sydney Nalube, has died after collapsing while delivering a speech at the Teaching Council of Zambia in Lusaka.

The incident occurred at around 14:00 hours during the dissemination of the contextualised School-Based In-Service Teacher Training (SITT) tools.

According to eyewitnesses, Dr. Nalube suddenly collapsed while addressing participants and was seen gasping for breath before being rushed to University Teaching Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Journalist John Chaambwa, who was covering the event, described the incident as shocking.

“It was shocking for me and difficult to believe. I saw the man collapse and gasp for breath on the floor while I was covering the dissemination of the contextualised School-Based In-Service Teacher Training (SITT) tools,” he said.

Further details regarding the circumstances surrounding Dr. Nalube’s death have not yet been released. Authorities are expected to provide more information in due course.