PLANNED PRAYER PROGRAMME FOR PEACEFUL ELECTIONS HALTED BY THE POLICE IN NDOLA:
Saturday 8th August 2026
It is extremely concerning that, under the watch of President Hakainde Hichilema, who some time ago called the National day of prayer as “USELESS”, the Police in Ndola have decided to halt plans for special prayers called by the National day of prayer (NDoP) Committee to pray for peaceful elections.
Facts of the matter are as follows:
1. The NDoP Committee in Ndola, supported by the Provincial Committee, did notify the Ndola Police dated 21st July 2026 to conduct prayers in the District for peaceful elections and unity, for Sunday 2nd August 2026.
2. The Ndola Police in their letter dated 28th July, 2026 denied the Committee to hold prayers as planned. The response from the Police made the Committee reach out to the Police, during which the Police advised the Church leaders to write another letter to clarify the prayer programme.
3. The Committee wrote dated 30th July 2026 to clarify and assured the Police that the programme was well intended and important. Sunday 9th August 2026 was the latest date set for the programme. The Committee extended the invitation to the Police to be in attendance and take a slot to sensitise the assembly on the need to promote peace during this election season.
4. A letter of invitation dated 30th July 2026 was released to the Churches calling for the prayers on Sunday 9th August 2026 with stakeholders including the Police whose presence was expected. It’s important to note that the idea to conduct the programme was inspired at national level and agreed by Ndola Church stakeholders.
5. To the surprise of the NDoP Committee, the Ndola Police wrote another letter dated 7th August 2026 to turn down the planned prayer programme citing flimsy reasons to the disappointment of the Committee. The decision by the Police resulting in the cancellation of the peaceful prayer programme for Ndola is most unfortunate.
6. The call by the NDoP Committee for the Church to corporately pray during a time such as now has been turned down by the Police while allowing some alleged ritual fellowship of a known evil secret society in Livingstone on Wednesday 12th August 2026.
7. Three days ago on Wednesday 5th, the Police in Kitwe allowed a prayer programme organised by a few individual clerics at which politicians were in attendance with some Pastors transported into the meeting from some Districts on the Copperbelt.
We urge all peace-loving Christians and citizens of good will in Ndola and the Country to continue praying for this election season that God’s peace will prevail and that the nation will move towards national reconciliation for unity and prosperity. Zambia needs healing.
✍🏾:
Rev Chilekwa Mulenga,
Clergy and Advocate
for Good Governance.
Ndola, Copper belt, Zambia 🇿🇲.
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