Yame ZM

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Zambia Calls for Renewed Global Commitment and Financing to End AIDS by 2030

June 24, 2026

Zambia has called for renewed global commitment and sustainable financing in the fight against HIV/AIDS to ensure the disease is no longer a public health threat by 2030.

Delivering Zambia’s national statement during the 2026 High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS in New York, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Dr George Sinyangwe reaffirmed the country’s commitment to working with the international community to reduce HIV to levels where it ceases to be a public health threat by 2030.

The High-Level Meeting on HIV/AIDS is convened every five years and has served as the principal global political and accountability platform for reviewing progress in the global HIV response since 2001. The meeting also renews commitments towards ending AIDS as a public health threat within the next four years.

Stakeholders are reviewing the implementation of the 2021 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS and considering a new Political Declaration that will guide international efforts over the next five years.

Dr Sinyangwe stated that Zambia has attained the epidemiological goals of HIV control set by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), recording achievements of 98-98-97 in HIV diagnosis, treatment and viral suppression.

Despite these achievements, he noted that Zambia continues to face challenges, including rising HIV incidence among young people, the emergence of drug resistance, increasing cases of non-communicable diseases and a contraction in external financing.

Dr Sinyangwe appealed for continued international support to the HIV response and underscored the need for global leaders to unite in addressing the disease, similar to the coordinated efforts made two decades ago to mobilise funding for HIV interventions.

He warned that failure to renew global commitment to the HIV response could result in increased drug resistance, premature deaths, reduced life expectancy and loss of productivity.

According to Zambia’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations First Secretary for Press and Public Relations, Namatama Njekwa, Dr Sinyangwe also highlighted Zambia’s growing capacity in training healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses.

He expressed the country’s readiness to collaborate with other nations in strengthening health workforce development.

Opening the meeting, President of the United Nations General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said global solidarity and multilateral action had transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition, but noted that progress is increasingly threatened by shrinking funding.

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed highlighted the need to close treatment gaps, protect human rights, strengthen community leadership and secure sustainable financing to safeguard progress.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima warned that declining development assistance and shrinking civic space could undermine global efforts to end AIDS.

The Zambian delegation to the meeting includes Zambia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Dr Chola Milambo, National AIDS Council Director General Dr Kebby Musokotwane and other senior government officials.

INCASE YOU MISSED IT:
GOVT WON'T APPEAL TODAY'S LUNGU’S BODY BURIAL COURT MATTER BUT WISHES HIS FAMILY WELL IN HIS BURIAL PROCESSES AS PER THEIR WISHES.
Government says it only wanted Lungu to be buried like other former Presidents but since the family refused and the today's court ruling, there will be no further involvement by government.

"Statement from the Zambian government below"

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
P.O. BOX 50106
RIDGEWAY
LUSAKA

Telephone: +260 211 250438
Fax: +260 211 253695
E-mail: [email protected]
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23rd June 2026

STATEMENT ON THE JUDGMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEAL OF SOUTH AFRICA ON THE BURIAL OF THE LATE SIXTH REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT, HIS EXCELLENCY DR EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU
1. The Government of the Republic of Zambia notes today's judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa on the burial of our late Sixth Republican President, His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu.
2. Although we disagree with today's judgment, we will not be taking this matter any further. We will not be exercising our right to appeal to the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
3. In line with the judgment today, this is now a private matter for the Lungu family to proceed with their desired burial in the Republic of South Africa.
4. Government's purpose throughout the last 12 months has been to honour the Sixth President in line with the precedent of how previous Presidents have been honoured. A clear set of national customs and culture has been established. That conviction was held in utmost good faith.
5. The nation will recall the facts below.
6. The first President to pass away was President Levy Mwanawasa, who was then buried at Embassy Park under the leadership of Acting President Rupiah Banda of the MMD in September 2008. In his last Will and Testament, President Mwanawasa had indicated a desire to be buried at his farm in Palabana. The then Government, however, resolved that it was right for him to be laid to rest at Embassy Park, thereby enabling the Zambian people to honour him at the time and in the future at the most suitable and accessible resting place. The then Government, acting in the national interest, thereby established a precedent.
7. The Second President, Frederick Chiluba, was buried at Embassy Park in June 2011, again under the leadership of President Rupiah Banda of the MMD.
8. The Fifth President, Michael Sata, was buried at Embassy Park in November 2014, under the leadership of Acting President Guy Scott of the PF.
9. Our First Republican President, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, was buried at Embassy Park in July 2021, under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu of the PF. On that occasion, members of the Kaunda family went to court seeking that he be buried next to his late wife, in keeping with what they held to be his wish. The courts declined that application and upheld burial at Embassy Park, and President Kaunda was laid to rest there with full honours, in the national interest.
10. The Fourth President, Rupiah Banda, was buried at Embassy Park in March 2022, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema of the UPND.
11. All of these former Presidents were buried at Embassy Park with full military honours, in line with the dignity of the office they held, regardless of the issues at hand. They were all buried according to national culture and practice.
12. We believed that we would honour the Sixth President as we have honoured all other former Presidents, and thereby give the millions of Zambians he led an opportunity to mourn him in their own country. Unfortunately, this is not to be, as the family have decided to bury him in South Africa.
13. Our nation has always understood the profound importance of a final resting place among one's own people. As a compassionate and sovereign nation, Zambia has consistently facilitated the repatriation of those who passed away on our soil, so that they may return home to their families and communities.
14. Only recently, we supported and worked alongside the Government of the Republic of South Africa to return its liberation heroes and other nationals who had died in exile here in Lusaka, so that they could at last be laid to rest in their homeland. It was in that same spirit, and out of that same conviction, that we wished to bring our Sixth President home to Zambia.
15. Having said that, we maintain our message of condolences to the Lungu family, as we have done since the Sixth President's death.
16. As the nation may recall, President Hichilema declared a period of national mourning, and then extended that period.
17. President Lungu served this nation from 2015 to 2021, and his place in our history is firmly secure.
18. We thank him for his service to the nation, and encourage all Zambians to remember his contribution with respect.
19. May the soul of His Excellency Dr Edgar Chagwa Lungu rest in peace.
Issued by:
Mulilo D. Kabesha, SC
ATTORNEY GENERAL

MEN WILL BE ALWAYS MEN

CDF trains over 11,000 Ndola youths, delivers over 200 community projects

THOUSANDS of Ndola residents are now seeing the benefits of the enhanced Constituency Development Fund (CDF), with more than 11,000 youths receiving skills training and over 200 community projects completed across the city since 2022.

According to Ndola City Council, the increased CDF allocation has helped improve lives through infrastructure development, education support and empowerment programmes aimed at creating opportunities for local people.

Ndola City Council public relations manager Rebecca Mushota revealed that between 2022 and 2025, a total of 11,191 youths benefited from skills development bursaries funded through CDF.

She said the beneficiaries were trained in various practical fields such as heavy equipment operation, driving, metal fabrication, tailoring and food production to help them acquire skills for employment and self-employment.

Mushota disclosed that education and road rehabilitation emerged as the most prioritised sectors, with 46 projects completed in each category over the past four years.

She added that the health sector also recorded significant improvements through the construction of 29 facilities, including health centres and maternity wings.

Meanwhile, empowerment programmes have continued to expand, with 1,700 groups accessing grants while another 681 groups benefited from empowerment loans.

Mushota further said the city has also recorded the construction and rehabilitation of 23 markets and market-related facilities, 18 police posts, 16 water and sanitation projects, one magistrate court annex and a bus station.

She added that 290 secondary school pupils have also accessed boarding bursaries through the fund.

“Ndola City Council is the supervisor of the various projects and the institution works with many stakeholders in implementing the projects," Mushota said.

By Sanfronsa Mberi

Kalemba June 22, 2026

It's not AI Kopala was Red today..

True..

Send a message to learn more

Government reiterates significance of supporting traditional leaders

June 20, 2026
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting traditional leaders and promoting development in chiefdoms.

Northern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Beauty Undi-Phiri says the government remains committed to ensuring that the welfare of traditional leaders and people across all chiefdoms in the country are well looked after.

Speaking during the installation ceremony of Chief Mwamba, Mpepe III in Mbala District, Ms, Undi-Phiri commended the Mambwe Royal Establishment for conducting a peaceful and united succession process.

Ms Undi-Phir has described the smooth transition of leadership as a demonstration of respect for traditional values and peaceful coexistence.

“The Government commends the Mambwe Royal Establishment for smooth succession, this is a clear testimony of the respect, value that the Mambwe people attach to traditional values and coexistence,” she said.

She disclosed that the government highly values the role that traditional leaders play in maintaining peace, preserving culture, and driving development in their respective chiefdoms.

Ms, Undi-Phiri further disclosed that construction of Chief Mwamba’s palace which had stalled at some point has now reached the procurement stage and is expected to be completed to enable the newly installed chief to relocate to a more suitable residence.

“Chief Mwamba place construction has stalled, i can now say that the process to complete the palace is underway and will be completed soon so that our chief can relocate to the palace. This initiative is in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s commitment to ensuring that traditional leaders are provided with dignified and conducive working environments,” she said.

The Acting Permanent Secretary also appealed to the Mambwe Royal Establishment to continue working closely with the government in accelerating developmental programs aimed at improving the livelihoods of people in the chiefdom.

And Senior Chief Nsokolo of the Mambwe people expressed confidence that Chief Mwamba, Mpepe III would provide dedicated leadership and uphold the legacy of his predecessor.

“I am confident that the new Chief will provide dedicated leadership and uphold the legacy of his predecessor. I will continue to support him,” he said.

The senior Chief also urged all members of the royal establishment including those who were not selected for the throne to support the newly installed chief.

“I want to thank the Mambwe royal Establishment for their work in successfully managing the succession process, may i emphasized here that there can only be one chief at a time, i call on everyone to remain united and supported the new chief for the benefit of the Mambwe people,” he said.

Senior Chief Nsokolo also commended the government for its continued support to the traditional leadership.

The installation of Chief Mwamba Mpepe III marks a new chapter for the Mambwe people after the passing of the late Chief Mwamba.