MWAMI FM

27/02/2026

🕵️

18/01/2026

MILES SAMPA APOLOGISES TO ECZ OVER ‘FAKE POLLING STATION’ CLAIM

By Best Jere

Patriotic Front (PF) Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa has formally apologised to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) over claims that a “fake” polling station had been set up along Lilayi Road during the Chawama parliamentary by-election.

In a statement posted on his page on Sunday, January 18, 2025, Mr. Sampa says the ECZ demanded an apology after investigations established that the polling station he had questioned was legitimate.

Mr. Sampa explains that on voting day, at around 10:00 hours, residents alerted him to what they described as a suspicious tent polling station, where voters were allegedly being ferried from Chilanga.

He says he dispatched a PF official to verify the claims and, based on the feedback received—including assertions that party officials did not recognise the station from previous elections—he raised the matter publicly.

However, Mr. Sampa later visited the site himself and was informed by ECZ officials and police officers present that the polling station was duly authorised.

He further discloses that when he returned to the same polling station at about 18:30 hours, after the close of polls, the results showed the UPND candidate polling 74 votes, Bright Nundwe seven votes, the National Congress Party candidate four votes, while other candidates recorded no votes.

Despite initially remaining sceptical, Mr. Sampa says subsequent results from Misisi, Kuomboka, Chawama Central and Kuku areas showed overwhelming support for Mr. Nundwe, who eventually won the by-election.

Mr. Sampa has acknowledged that his earlier statement was based on incorrect information and has taken full responsibility for the error.

He adds that, in line with the ECZ’s request, he is issuing a formal apology, noting that the decision is also guided by his personal faith.

Mr. Sampa says going forward, he will seek verification directly from ECZ officials before making public statements on electoral matters.

The ECZ has not yet issued a public response to the apology.

18/01/2026

The Zambia High Commission in Kenya has engaged Zambian students studying at Kenya Utalii College under the Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship Programme, reaffirming Government’s commitment to skills development in the tourism sector.

The Zambia High Commission in Kenya has engaged Zambian students studying at Kenya Utalii College under the Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship Programme, reaffirming Government’s commitment to skills development in the tourism sector. Zambia’s High Commissioner to Kenya, His Excellency Mr. Alfr...

17/01/2026

MINISTER DOREEN MWAMBA TO EXIT OFFICE IN MAY, RULES OUT FUTURE ELECTIONS

Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, has announced that she will step down in May this year and will not seek to contest any future elections as she bade farewell to staff members.

17/01/2026

Divorced on the day she was appointed Justice minister: A living testimony

WHEN you look at or hear of Justice Minister Princess Kasune, what readily comes to mind is a successful woman who seems to have had it easy in life. But what many may not know is that she is a living testimony, one who has encountered many defeats, yet, like the famous American poet Maya Angelou, still rises, “like air.”

In an exclusive interview with Kalemba, the minister took us through her life journey, from birth to the moment she turned 50.

Who would have thought that the exquisite first female Minister of Justice of our time would be appointed by President Hakainde Hichilema on the very day she was being divorced and still keep a straight face as though all was well in her personal life?

On June 5, 2024, while rushing to connect to the internet to attend her divorce proceedings, which were being held in the United States, Kasune received a phone call that would change her life forever.

“Someone called me from one of the news papers and said “congratulations.” I said “what! Really!” Now focused to follow my divorce proceedings, they now say I’m Justice minister? Wow! One way, I’m being judged by a judge, one way, I become the minister of Justice?”

“I didn’t foresee any good news that day or that I would be Justice minister. I was like “hey!” The Bible says God is the God of Justice. I had just become what a lot of women wanted,” she joyfully shared.

The divorce was as a result of the minister’s decision to serve her people through Keembe Constituency. This choice, ultimately cost her marriage.

“When I decided to come back to Zambia, I just wanted to advocate for women, donate and help the poor but in 2016, people of Keembe said we want you to run for MP and I took the step. By then I was married in the US and my husband said if you go back to your country, I will divorce you and I thought he was joking and he did. I said, “look, I have to serve my people, your country is developed because people came back to develop it,” she stated.

“There, we talked over things and he didn’t divorce me, then in 2021, I said, I need to run again, we need to change government, he said, this time around, I will divorce you, and that’s how I chose to serve my country over marriage. In 2024, we divorced. But I wanted to be a married woman, a mother, a grandmother and a woman in politics.”

Born on January 6, 1976, at Kabwe General Hospital, Kasune was raised by a father who worked as a gardener before becoming a police officer with Zambia Railways, and a mother who was a secretary. She was one of about 24 siblings.

She attended Chibombo and Mumbwa Boarding Schools but later dropped out in Grade 11 at the age of 17 to care for her child.

At just 17, she became a double orphan after losing both parents to HIV and AIDS, forcing her to assume the role of breadwinner for a family of nine.

In her struggle to provide for her siblings, she found herself in relationships with older men and eventually fell pregnant as a teenager, leading to her dropping out of school.

At 18, she was married off to a man 24 years her senior, who had already lost two wives to AIDS.

“By then I had no parents, so my family said, you have to marry, who’s going to take care of the child. In that marriage, he was older and I was manipulated,” she shared.

At 21, in 1997, Kasune was diagnosed with HIV while living in Luanshya with her first husband.

“After I was diagnosed with HIV, I told myself that I shall not breakdown but breakthrough, even though I was told I would only live for six months. So I became an advocate. I would then lecture Lordy drivers on the importance of condom use,” she said.

Through her voice, Kasune found herself on global stages to speak and was later employed by World Vision US.

By that time her first husband had already died. She later remarried in the US and divorced in 2024.

She also had the rare privilege of meeting a sitting US president who was then George Bush who committed over US$15 billion to fight against AIDS in Africa.

“Later l would be called in 2005 to testify to congress and that led to 50 billion dollars under global fund for Malaria, HIV and T. B For Africa once again my beloved Country Zambia benefited tremendously,” she shared.

“I had a chance to advocate for women and girls, oprhans and vulnerable children taking me to the UK parliament, meeting witb Prime Minister Tony Blair, The Canadian Prime Minister then which led to my involvement in the Global Women's tour by UNAIDS.”

After years of activism, Kasune returned to school and earned two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Nonprofit Administration, as well as a Master’s Degree in Divinity Seminary Theology, both with distinctions.

In recognition of her work with orphans, vulnerable children and HIV/AIDS advocacy, April 24 was declared Princess Kasune Zulu Day by the Mayor of Chicago.

In 2010, she published her autobiography, Warrior Princess: Fighting for Life with Courage and Hope.

She received the Best Broadcasting Award in 2021 for her HIV and AIDS programme Positive Living, which aired for several years on Radio Ichengelo and ZNBC, sponsored by UNICEF.

Kasune has also worked alongside former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his wife, UN Special Envoy Stephen Lewis, UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot, UNICEF and Oxfam.

I would like to call her as “the first of the first” because, come on, before she was appointed as the first female Justice Minister, she served as the first female Provincial Minister for Central Province from 27th September 2023 to 5th June 2024.

She was also the first female Government Chief Whip of the National Assembly, where she served as Deputy, and remains the first female Member of Parliament for Keembe Constituency, a seat she has held since 2016.

Kasune is a mother of three biological children, two grandchildren and 10 adopted children whom she has sponsored and continues to sponsor through school.

She runs an organisation called Fountain of Life 6 (FOLA), which has built a Level One hospital worth US$1 million in Chiyuni, Keembe Constituency.

Her organisation has also constructed over 12 schools in Keembe and one in Serenje and established several clinics, implemented hundreds of water projects and sponsored students who are now teachers, nurses and doctors.

The minister advised people to never give up on life and go to school no matter what circumstances they may encounter.

“Don’t underestimate what God has put in you. Don’t say I’m young. My story is not only for women. I’m a miracle, a living testimony. Do what you have to do and be nice to other people, because you may never know who may say good things on your name and lastly, learn to give back to society, no matter the little you may have,” she said.

By Catherine P**e

Kalemba January 17, 2026

16/01/2026

UPND’s Greatest Danger Lies Within, Not in the Opposition - Shamoba

The most serious threat confronting the United Party for National Development (UPND) today is not the Patriotic Front, nor is it any external political force plotting its downfall. The real danger is far closer to home. It is the growing sense of neglect, abandonment, and disconnection within the party itself. UPND is not being weakened by its rivals; it is being quietly eroded from the inside.

Across Zambia, loyal party members who stood firm during the most difficult years of political persecution are increasingly questioning their place in the movement they helped build. These are men and women who endured intimidation, arrests, physical violence, and economic hardship simply because of their political beliefs. They defended the party when it was unpopular to do so. They mobilized when resources were scarce. Today, many of them feel invisible, forgotten, and discarded.

Party structures that once formed the backbone of UPND’s strength are slowly collapsing. Ward, constituency, and district organs that used to organize meetings, educate communities, and energize supporters are now largely dormant. In many areas, these structures exist in name only. Meetings are rarely held, information flows poorly, and grassroots voices are excluded from decision-making. Power has become centralized, leaving ordinary members disconnected from leadership and direction.

This breakdown has created deep frustration and resentment at the grassroots level. Members who once felt ownership of the party now feel like outsiders in their own organization. When structures die, participation dies with them. When communication weakens, trust follows.

What has intensified this bitterness even further is the government’s approach to compensation and reconciliation. Individuals commonly referred to as Jerabos, who once insulted, attacked, and even stoned President Hakainde Hichilema while terrorizing UPND supporters, are now being compensated and rehabilitated. Meanwhile, genuine UPND members who paid the highest price under the previous regime remain neglected.

There are supporters who lost fingers, limbs, businesses, jobs, and dignity because of their loyalty to UPND. Some still live with permanent physical and emotional scars. They did not suffer for personal enrichment or political convenience. They suffered for democracy, for freedom, and for the hope of a better Zambia. Yet today, they watch as their former persecutors receive attention, while their own sacrifices go unrecognized.

This is not merely a political oversight; it is a moral failure. It sends a deeply troubling message that loyalty and sacrifice do not matter. When those who caused harm are rewarded while victims are ignored, it breeds bitterness, disillusionment, and quiet rebellion.

As Zambia moves closer to future elections, UPND must understand one fundamental truth: elections are not won by silence at the grassroots. They are won by motivated structures, energized supporters, and a base that feels valued. A demoralized membership does not mobilize voters. A neglected base does not defend government policies. A wounded grassroots does not turn out in large numbers on election day.

The most decisive battle for UPND will not be fought on television, in newspapers, or on campaign platforms. It will be fought internally — in wards, villages, compounds, and constituencies. If the party base remains ignored, the ground campaign will be weak, regardless of achievements at national level.

UPND members have spoken repeatedly. Some have raised their concerns quietly through party channels. Others have spoken openly in frustration. Too often, these concerns have been met with silence, dismissal, or delay. Ignoring the voice of the grassroots is not only disrespectful; it is politically dangerous.

If UPND wishes to safeguard its future, urgent action is required. Party structures must be revived and empowered. Internal democracy must be restored. Sacrifice must be acknowledged and honored. Most importantly, members must once again feel that they belong, that they matter, and that their loyalty is valued.

Power without appreciation is fragile. Leadership without connection is vulnerable. A government that forgets the very people who carried it to power risks waking up one day to empty meeting halls, silent wards, and a weakened campaign machinery.

UPND must choose whether it wants to merely govern or to truly lead. The difference lies in how it treats its own.

Written by Aaron Shamoba

14/01/2026

Uganda’s main opposition leader, Bobi Wine, is set to challenge President Museveni tomorrow.

Will he manage to uproot one of Africa’s most deeply rooted political trees?

14/01/2026

14/01/2026

PRESS STATEMENT
For immediate release

Zambia Launches China–SCO Economic and Trade Exchange Center Platform in Guangdong to Deepen Investment and Trade Cooperation

Guangzhou, 14th January, 2026 - The Ambassador of the Republic of Zambia to the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Mr. Ivan Zyuulu officially launched the China–Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Economic and Trade Exchange Center , Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Development Platform in Guangzhou, China.

The launch follows the signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Development Committee of the China–SCO Economic and Trade Exchange Center on 1st October, 2025 and builds on the outcomes of the 2025 SCO Summit of Heads of State held from 31 August – 1 September 2025 in Tianjin, China.

Mr. Wang Rui Cai, Director of the China–SCO Economic and Trade Exchange Center, guided the tour of the Exchange Center facility and committed institutional support, office space, and professional services dedicated to promoting Zambian priority projects.

The Zambia Major Project Cooperation and Exchange Center based in Guangzhou, Huadu District, serves as a strategic platform for mobilizing enterprises from the Greater Bay Area and the wider SCO region to explore investment and trade opportunities in Zambia.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to operationalizing the Cooperation Agreement through practical and results‑oriented actions.

On the sidelines of his official engagements, the Ambassador paid a courtesy call on Mr. Ma Wenfeng, Director General, of the Foreign Affairs Office of Guangdong Province. He reaffirmed Zambia’s strong interest in expanding cooperation with Guangdong Province in priority areas including industrialization, value addition and infrastructure development.

He further underscored the strategic role of the Consulate General of Zambia in Guangzhou as a facilitative platform for sustained engagement and cooperation.

Mr. Ma welcomed the strengthening of Zambia–Guangdong relations and emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation in economic and trade relations, investment, industrial development, and people-to-people exchanges.

Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
Beijing, China

28/12/2025

CONVOYS ARE NOT A SOLUTION: A CALL FOR DRY PORTS AND TRAILER EXCHANGE TO PROTECT ZAMBIAN TRUCK DRIVERS

Written by Shamoba

Dear Mr Tayali sir,

We acknowledge and appreciate your concern for the safety of Zambian truck drivers operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly your advice encouraging drivers to move in convoys when crossing the border. However, with utmost respect, we wish to state clearly and truthfully that Zambian drivers have already implemented these strategies, and the results have shown that such measures are neither effective nor sustainable in the long term.

The reality on the ground is harsh and cannot be sugar-coated. The security situation in parts of the DRC remains highly unstable, unpredictable, and dangerous. Convoys, while well-intended, do not guarantee safety. In fact, they often attract attention and can become prime targets for criminal elements. In such an environment, collective movement alone cannot protect lives.

Mr Tayali sir, truth be told, the DRC remains a jungle in terms of security, and no amount of convoy arrangements will permanently resolve the risks our drivers face. Tactical solutions will continue to fail where structural solutions are absent.

We therefore strongly submit that the most practical, humane, and long-lasting solution lies in policy reform and infrastructure development. Government should urgently consider the establishment of a Dry Port at either Kasumbalesa or Mukambo. Under this arrangement, Zambian drivers would offload their cargo safely on Zambian soil, after which Congolese trucks and drivers would take full responsibility for delivering the cargo within the DRC.

Furthermore, a mandatory trailer exchange system on a like-for-like basis at the border must be implemented. This system should ensure that no Zambian driver physically crosses into the DRC. Instead, trailers would be exchanged under a clearly regulated, secure, and accountable framework.

Mr Tayali sir, it should be the sole responsibility of Government to ensure that all logistics, bilateral agreements, customs procedures, insurance requirements, and security mechanisms are fully put in place to support this system. Other regions of the world operating in high-risk corridors have adopted similar models with success, and Zambia can do the same.

The loss of life we continue to witness is unacceptable. The tragic death of our colleague, the late Joseph Chivanga, must serve as a turning point. No cargo, no contract, and no revenue stream is worth the life of a single Zambian driver.

In conclusion, we respectfully but firmly state that preventing Zambian drivers from crossing into the DRC through the establishment of dry ports and trailer exchange systems is the only workable solution. Anything short of this will merely postpone the next tragedy.

This submission is made in good faith, in the interest of national responsibility, regional trade continuity, and—above all—the protection of Zambian lives.

Issued by:
Aaron Shamoba | Zambian youth
— End —

15/12/2025

Steps to Becoming a Professional Caregiver in Zambia

To become a professional caregiver in Zambia, you typically need a Grade 12 certificate, complete a recognized training program (like Advanced Nursing Assistant or IVQ in Health & Social Care) that blends online learning with hands-on practice and clinical placement, and develop key skills such as empathy, communication, and first aid, with programs leading to certification for work in homes, clinics, or hospitals.

Here are the general steps:

Meet Entry Requirements:
Hold a Grade 12 certificate (or equivalent).
Show strong English and Maths skills.
Possess qualities like compassion, good communication, and reliability.

Read more at https://nhcaz.org/news/steps-to-becoming-a-professional-caregiver-in-zambia

National Health caregivers Association of Zambia

To become a professional caregiver in Zambia, you typically need a Grade 12 certificate, complete a recognized training program (like Advanced Nursing Assistant or IVQ in Health & Social Care...