Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu has announced amendments to the Public Gatherings Bill after concerns were raised by members of the public over the proposed definition of a public gathering.

Speaking before Parliament adjourned sine die, Mr. Mwiimbu said the government had listened to public submissions and revised the number of people required to constitute a public gathering from three to seven under the newly passed Public Gatherings Bill of 2026.

The National Assembly has approved the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the Public Order Act of 1955.

Mr. Mwiimbu dismissed claims that the government was introducing a new requirement by classifying meetings of three people as public gatherings, stating that the provision already existed under the current Public Order Act.

He said the amendment followed concerns expressed by citizens and stakeholders.

“Our definition of public gathering means an assembly, meeting, procession, demonstration or event of seven or more persons convened for a political, social, religious, civic or other public purpose,” he explained.

According to Mr. Mwiimbu, the Bill was developed with input from more than 100 stakeholder organisations and aims to align public order laws with constitutional rights by replacing the permission-based system with a notification system.

He added that once assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema, the Public Gatherings Act will regulate public meetings, protests, political rallies and demonstrations.

The Public Order Act of 1955 has for many years faced criticism from opposition political parties, civil society organisations and human rights groups, who argued that it restricted freedom of assembly.

Mr. Mwiimbu said the new law would promote constitutional freedoms while also strengthening public order and accountability among law enforcement officers.

The legislation also introduces accountability measures for police officers accused of abusing their authority.

Under the proposed law, all citizens, including government officials, will be required to notify police before holding public gatherings during election periods.

However, the restrictions will not apply to meetings involving the President, Vice President, Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly, ministers, Members of Parliament, mayors and councillors carrying out official duties within their constituencies or wards.

Exemptions will also apply to public officers performing government functions, religious services held at registered places of worship, funerals, traditional ceremonies and weddings.

Indoor meetings organised by registered companies, NGOs, trade unions and political parties to discuss internal affairs are also excluded from the provisions of the law.

The legislation further excludes meetings convened for lawful State institution purposes.

However, immunity granted to presiding officers, ministers and local representatives will not apply during election campaigns, the voting period or after the dissolution of Parliament.

The Bank of Zambia (BOZ)’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), has reduced the monetary policy rate by 25 basis points, from 13.5 percent to 13.25 percent following a meeting held from 11 to 12 May 2026.

Bank of Zambia Governor Denny Kalyalya explained that the committee considered several factors in making this decision, including the stability of the kwacha against the U.S. dollar, the expected maize harvest for the current crop marketing season, and the uncertainties stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Dr Kalyalya made these remarks today during a press briefing, citing that these considerations led to a careful approach in adjusting the policy rate.

He highlighted the favourable prospects for the current crop season, citing expectations of a bumper maize harvest that is likely to foster food security and curb inflation pressures in the country.

Dr Kalyalya also expressed that the committee also noted the relative stability of the Kwacha against the US dollar, which he said had contributed to a more predictable inflation outlook.

He highlighted that the country’s Inflation has shown remarkable improvement, from 11.2 percent in December 2025 to 7.1 percent by March 2026, which reduced furthermore to 6.8 percent in April within the central bank’s targeted range of 6-8 percent.

ZANIS reports that the MPC projects inflation to remain within the target band, with an average of 6.8 percent for 2026 slightly below the previous forecast of 6.9 percent.

“For 2027, inflation is expected to further decline to around 6.1 percent before edging up to approximately 6.6 percent in early 2028. These projections are supported by anticipated continued exchange rate stability and lower maize prices due to the favourable harvest,”

“While the positive outlook for maize and exchange rates supports a lower inflation trajectory, the geopolitical uncertainties and climate risks necessitate a cautious approach,” he emphasised.

The Committee further reaffirmed that future monetary policy decisions will continue to be data-driven, closely monitored against inflation outcomes, forecasts, and risks.

The next MPC meeting is scheduled to take place on September 28 and 29, 2026.

Restoration for Community Justice (RCJ) has identified the advancement of agroforestry “know-how” as a critical strategy for enhancing climate adaptation and ensuring long-term food security in Kanchibiya District.

RCJ Chief Executive Officer, Mathews Mulenga, says while traditional agroforestry remains a staple of current farming systems, there is an urgent need to transition toward modern practices to maintain productivity amidst a rapidly changing climate.

Mr Mulenga explained that modern agroforestry goes beyond simple tree planting, as it actively sequesters carbon, protects fragile soils, and maintains the biodiversity necessary for a healthy ecosystem.

“Modern agroforestry is the anchor for food security in our changing communities. It allows for productive agricultural systems that can withstand the global landscape of climate change through better crop protection and more resilient food systems,” Mr Mulenga said.

He emphasized that for agroforestry to be successful in Kanchibiya, it must be “farmer-friendly,” necessitating policies that address land ownership, intergenerational equity, and access to digital technology.

 He noted that translating scientific research into practical, on-farm know-how is the only way to reconcile agriculture with nature.

“We need to focus on ecosystem services such as water harvesting and soil restoration. Whether it is lowland or mountain agroforestry, the goal is to create business models that improve the quality of life for our local farmers while mitigating climate impacts,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kanchibiya District Forestry Officer, Samson Zimba, noted that the district’s diverse landscape, spanning from floodplains to mountainous regions, is ideal for intensive ecosystem management through agroforestry.

Mr Zimba observed that there was a significant opportunity to manage traditional systems more effectively, particularly in the mountainous areas of Kanchibiya, to ensure they remained productive for future generations.

“Agroforestry is a natural solution to many of the environmental challenges we face. By integrating trees into our farmlands, we are effectively cooling the landscape and creating a more stable environment for our crops and livestock to thrive,” Mr Zimba stated.

He further noted that the Forestry Department was eager to work with stakeholders to boost the technical capacity of farmers, ensuring they understood how to design agroforestry systems such as fodder hedges and soil-amending tree rows that provide immediate benefits to their yields.

RCJ and the Forestry Department are advocating for a landscape-wide adoption of these practices to safeguard Kanchibiya’s agricultural future and contribute to the national green economy agenda.

Shiwang’andu Town Council has handed over ten Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects that were constructed at a cost over K7.4 million.

Speaking during the ceremony, District Commissioner, Maureen Bwembya, said the development signifies hope, progress, and improved public service delivery for local residents.

Ms Bwembya noted that CDF has brought meaningful development closer to the grassroots.

She has since thanked President Hakainde Hichilema for his visionary leadership and for increasing the CDF allocation which is spearheading community development.

Ms Bwembya stated that the enhanced funds are transforming lives across the district through upgraded infrastructure, secondary school bursaries, skills training, and empowerment grants for women and youths.

“Today, because of CDF, our children are learning in better classrooms, communities are benefiting from improved infrastructure, and our youths are gaining opportunities through empowerment and skills training,” Ms Bwembya said.

The District Commissioner challenged critics of the CDF programme to appreciate the visible impact of the initiative, adding that the handed over projects serve as clear evidence that national development is reaching all communities.

Ms Bwembya also commended local contractors for participating in infrastructure development and urged them to maintain high quality standards to ensure that infrastructure being put up benefit future generations.

Meanwhile, Shiwang’andu Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC) Chairperson, Mark Harvey, emphasized the need for good workmanship in all public projects.

Mr Harvey urged planners to always include critical support facilities, such as staff houses and water reticulation systems, whenever new classroom blocks are being constructed.

He praised the Government under the leadership of President Hichilema for its continuous support toward equitable development and community self-reliance through the increased fund.

The 10 commissioned projects include a 1×4 classroom block, an ablution block, and a water reticulation system at Shiwang’andu Day Secondary School, alongside another 1×4 classroom block at Mulanga Secondary School.

Other infrastructure handed over include a dormitory at Lwanya Day Secondary School, 1×3 classroom blocks at Kalikiti and Nabutende primary schools, and a staff house at Kalesha Primary School.

The government through CDF has also put up a staff house at Lwanya Health Post, a bridge along the Yosamu-Mufolo road, and a boarding facility at  Ilondola Secondary School.