ARCHDIOCESE OF LUSAKA
The People’s Right to Peaceful Protest Against Bad Governance and Degeneration of Democracy is Truly Right and Justified
**Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan”.**
The Archdiocese of Lusaka is in full support with the Archbishop of Kasama and Bishop of Mpika regarding the right of citizens to express displeasure against bad governance and degeneration of democracy in Zambia. Truth be told, the Presidency is playing with fire, and Zambia’s stability and wellbeing is way too important for the kind of reckless political experimentation that the country is being subjected to. We submit that Bill 7 as it is being championed by its purveyors, the government, is proposing a big structural shift to this country’s political trajectory that will ultimately cause severe stress on the nation.
Bill 7 is being championed for himself, by himself with himself to the exclusion of the majority of people of Zambia. Since the government is unyielding to the voices of wisdom and reason calling for discontinuation of the Constitutional Amendment Bill Seven (7), the Archdiocese of Lusaka calls upon all Catholics and people of good will to stand together in defence of justice, truth, freedom and the dignity of our Constitution. As shepherds of the faithful, we cannot remain silent when laws are proposed that erode the voice of the people and compromise the common good.
Bill 7, presented under the guise of constitutional amendment, threatens the very foundations of our democracy and undermines the rights and freedoms that generations of Zambians have struggled to secure. We therefore urge all members of Small Christian Communities, Parishes, and Lay Groups across the Archdiocese to join the peaceful demonstrations organized by the Oasis Forum this Friday, November 28th, 2025, from the Freedom Statue to State House.
This gathering is not an act of defiance, but an expression of the citizens’ constitutional right to speak against injustice and to affirm the values of participation, accountability, and respect for human dignity. As Catholics, our faith calls us to be peacemakers and defenders of the truth. The Gospel reminds us that justice and mercy walk hand in hand, and that silence in the face of oppression is itself a form of complicity. By joining this peaceful demonstration, we bear witness to our commitment to a Zambia where laws serve the people, not oppress them, where leaders govern with humility, not with unchecked power.
We emphasize that this is a peaceful action. Let our presence be marked by prayer, discipline, and unity. Carry yourselves with dignity, remembering that our strength lies not in violence but in the moral authority of truth. Let us sing hymns, pray together, and walk side by side as one body of Christ, showing the nation that faith and civic responsibility are inseparable.
We call upon every Catholic to recognize that this moment requires courage. The Freedom Statue, a symbol of sacrifice and liberation, is the fitting place for us to gather and proclaim that Zambia belongs to her people, not to oppressive laws. May the Lord bless our efforts, guide our steps, and grant us the wisdom to act with love and justice. Together, let us stand for truth, for freedom, and for the future of our beloved nation.
November 25th, 2025
Issued by:
Archdiocese of Lusaka
The fire shall go and burn at the Cathedral of the Child jesus
This nuisance PF cadre
I agree with people who are saying this man is a cadre. How can a so called Apostle advocate for protest? Which verse in the Bible did read where christians once protested? HH is calling you to the round table for discussion but you are busy inciting Roman Catholic people to go out in the street and protest. Can you come out clearly if you don’t want to meet HH wrong issues which are contained in bill 7 instead of influencing people to go in the street. What will gain by making noise on the ground instead of you go sir down with people want bill 7 pass. Are you representing God or Mammon?
@seneretor
The Bible is full of cases of Protest by men of God and Christians.
. The Hebrew midwives protested and disobeyed Pharaoh ‘s orders to kill Newborn male babies.
. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar ‘s golden statue.
. Daniel Protested by disobeying unjust laws, continuing to pray until he was thrown in the lion’s den.
.Our Lord Jesus Christ protested by over turning tables of Money Changers in the Temple.
. Elijah confronted King Ahab for his wickedness.
I can give you many examples of Protest in the Bible supported by Scripture.
His Grace, the Arch Bishop Dr Alick Banda is on solid ground.
Shadrec,Mishak and Abednego were not Christians and so was Daniel and Elijah.Jesus overturned the market tables of PF merchant cadet thieves
Well received Your Grace, Arch Bishop Dr Alick Banda. We will be there!
The Scam to destroy our Multi Party Democracy…and to turn upside down the balance of power won’t be allowed to succeed.
The regional Hegemony sought through a power grab of the Legislature won’t be allowed to happen..We are able to Scent “crookedness” miles away.
The Illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 is dead. It cannot be resurrected through Imingalato.
The Bill was rendered unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court.. That sham done in 10 days by the so called Technical Committee can’t be classified as Inclusive Consultations..It fell short of any consultatitive process even for a simple club. But we are dealing with a constitution of a Country. Zambia has never seen such.
Instead of using the Presser yesterday to preach peace and unity, you start playing the Tribal Victim Card and threatening Bishops with arrests and Street Thuggery.
This is a battle you can never win. The Catholic Church helped you to get power.
They can make you lose that power..
Shelve the illegal and Unconstitutional Bill 7. Parliament is dissolving on 12th May, 2026. We have no time for Constitutional Misadventures. You should have started the Constitutional Amendment Process in 2022. But your focus was on arresting political Opponents and obliterating the Patriotic Front.
Use the 4 months of 2026 to do something productive.. opening of solar energy plants, laying foundation stones for Dangote Thermal Power, Enhancement of the famous Imita Ufole, Cash for work programs etc, and opening of 1 X 3 classroom blocks CDF projects.
December is time to be with family for Christmas..and Parliament adjourns Sine die next week on 5th December, 2025.
There’s simply no Time for Constitutional Amendments.
Thank you, your Grace, Arch Bishop Dr Alick Banda, and all the Catholic Bishops for standing with the country.
We have some compromised MPs in that House..The Illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill shouldn’t be awakened in that House. NEVER..
Thieving Bishop who recieved a stolen car now wants to moralise. To whom can this man that aligns himself with immoral people speak truth today?
This is the sense entitlement president HH was talking about. From your it seems you don’t want delimitation because you think it will done in the region you don’t like. Let me remind you, when the late president MCS divided Luapula in two provinces to create Muchinga province, no one complained, but for you just delimitation of the constituencies you are up arms. Please know that you are NOT more important than others. Everyone from every part of this country has equal rights, no one is more specificial.
Bwana Nkuku, Have you seen the recent constitutional court judgement on the law suit by the CSOs seeking to stop the technical committee from receiving submissions for the constitutional amendment? It was thrown out and therefore the submissions continue. Boycott at your own peril with your Bishops.
Most dangerous lucifer like in a sheep skin
While I agree amending the constitution the way it is being done is wrong, I do not agree on “reckless political experimentation”. That was the case under Mr. Lungu. This government has done a lot under very difficult circumstances and the future looks bright. Things would have been far worse if we continued with that PF ” reckless political experimentation”. The president was very clear, protest and present a petition means someone has to receive, read the petition and probably call for a dialogue. Why can’t we go straight to dialogue without protest?
I think the constitution has to be revised as a whole, not selected closes. And this should not be done in a hurry like it is being done, involve the opposition as well in some committee(s).
How should it be done? Does the law prescribe how amendments ought to be done? If so cite provisions of the law?
If the illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 is allowed to become law, it will make effect the “TOP SECRET ECZ” Delimitation Report…
As a result the UPND will be assured of 95 constituency based Parliamentary seats in 3.5 provinces of Zambia, namely Southern, Western, Northwestern and part Central Province. ( N/b figures Based on Assumptions of the Delimitation Report. The government to date has not released the report )
No Opposition party will win any constituency based Parliamentary seat in Southern, Western and North Western Provinces of Zambia.This is a fact.
The major political party, the Patriotic Front is as of today not on the ballot..
This leaves the UPND to battle for the other 99 Constituency based Parliamentary seats with other small Parties..and your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen.
Assuming a 50% showing by the small Parties ( a very generous prospect ,) , UPND gets an additional 47 Seats resulting into 146 Constituency based seats.
Further assuming 50% showing of small Parties on the Proportional representation ballot, the UPND gets 11 more seats resulting into 157 Seats.
If Mr Hakainde wins the presidency, with 10 Nominated seats, the UPND will get a total of 167 seats in a 216 Member National Assembly.
Note that am being very generous to the small Parties.
This is what will happen come 14th August,2026.
With the Illegitimate and unconstitutional Bill 7 becoming law, and the major political party being excluded from the elections, expect more or less a single party, UPND , in Parliament.
Then the methodical rule will begin… from the Speaker , Deputy Speaker, Chief Justice, Deputy chief justice, Attorney General, Solicitor General, Secretary to the Treasury, Bank of Zambia Governor, ACC Director / Commissioners , ECZ Chair person/ Commissioners…etc
And to the Laws which will pass in that Single Party Parliament!
May those who have pocketed the Millions to support the illegitimate Bill 7 think twice.
Zambia will change forever through this law.
And to the Patriotic Front, get your Party back. Be on the Ballot. This is not a time for weaklings..Zambia’s democracy faces an existential Threat.
Thank you.
Hold your fire boss. Is this the new christian teaching of inciting people. Just a simple Hilux should threaten a legitimate administration. Your system taught us well. We can see through things, but yours is a personal fight bwana, trying to use numbers of people who listen every Sunday to react. Relax and take a vacation. Posterity will judge you harshly. Your anger is written all over your face. Christ is certainly not speaking through you. At your age, just cool down and protect your health boss veins rapture ka. You question the advisors to the President, where are yours to let you go reckless in this manner? Where are they?
KK’s Slogan: “One Zambia One Nation” has become the most empty and hollow Slogan in Zambia, maybe it should just be erased from our vocabulary? Why do we pretend (of Ostriches and Hypocrites) that we are a united people and a united country?Why do we always assume that the Northern/Eastern block of our country will ALWAYS vote for its own, and that the Southern/Western block of our country will ALWAYS vote for its own? There in lies the ROOT CAUSE: Tribalism and Regionalism since 1964. PF has its origin as a tribal and regional Party and it has remained that, equally UPND has its origin as a tribal and regional Party and it has remained that. You know that, I know that.
*President Hakainde Hichilema’s Vision Is Patriotic, Clear and Firmly Anchored on Zambia’s Long-Term Recovery*
*By Magret Mwanza*
President Hakainde Hichilema has been a target of relentless distortion, political twisting and deliberate mischaracterisation by individuals who thrive on confusion and negativity.
Yet, the truth remains unchanged. His plan for Zambia is patriotic, deliberate and anchored on long-term national transformation.
What he represents is not tribalism, not victimhood, not fear, but a disciplined commitment to rebuild a nation that was dragged to the brink by years of reckless governance.
Those who spend their time twisting his comments and distorting his intentions must be treated as political opportunists desperate for relevance.
Their aim is simple. They want to weaponise misinformation to score cheap political mileage. But as Zambians, we can see.
We can all see the depth of work currently taking place, the steady hands restructuring our economy, and the clear difference between leadership anchored on personal benefit and leadership anchored on national progress.
The evidence is visible, tangible and measurable. Zambia’s economy, after years of chaos, has been placed on a controlled and disciplined recovery path.
This is not political poetry. It is anchored on real numbers, real reforms and real sacrifices. Under this administration, mining has returned to stability.
Large mining firms have increased their contribution to national earnings, tax revenues have stabilised, and investment confidence has quietly but steadily returned.
It is this renewed stability that has allowed government to fund critical sectors without resorting to reckless borrowing.
At the same time, the New Dawn Government has opened doors that were previously used as private property by select political elites. For years, Zambians watched foreign entities and politically connected cartels dominate mining rights while ordinary citizens were pushed aside.
Today, small-scale and artisan mining licenses are being issued to Zambians at a scale never seen before. This is empowerment in its purest form, not political handouts but genuine access to national wealth.
In the social sector, the achievements speak for themselves. This government has hired tens of thousands of teachers and health workers in record numbers, reversing decades of understaffing that crippled service delivery in rural and peri-urban communities.
No propaganda can erase the fact that thousands of Zambian families now have a stable income because of these recruitment waves. The nation’s health and education systems are fundamentally stronger because the workforce is stronger.
Then there is free education, a reform many thought impossible. Today, families that once struggled with school fees have been given relief and dignity.
And beyond education, the Constituency Development Fund has become a true game changer. For the first time, constituencies across Zambia have the freedom and resources to identify and address their needs independently.
Schools are being built, roads graded, bridges repaired, youth and women business groups funded, and technical skills centres revived. This is decentralisation in action, not as a campaign promise, but as a living policy changing lives daily.
President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership is not loud, boastful or dramatic. It is quiet, methodical and focused. That is something that unsettles those who prefer politics of noise and confusion.
The real frustration of his critics comes from the fact that this government is fixing what they broke, cleaning what they polluted and exposing what they hid.
Whenever progress becomes undeniable, the enemies of order invent new scandals, twist harmless comments and generate outrage to distract the public.But Zambia has moved on from that politics.
The nation needs a leadership that thinks beyond elections, beyond tribe, beyond petty fights. This is what the New Dawn Government has been doing since day one.
It is not perfection. No government is. But the direction is correct, the intention is patriotic, and the outcomes are beginning to show.
Zambia’s recovery is not accidental. It is deliberate, disciplined and guided by a president who understands what it takes to rebuild a broken system.
Zambians must not allow political distortions to overshadow visible progress. Those who twist the President’s statements do so because they fear that if the truth stands unchallenged, they will have no message left.
What we must protect is not just the President’s image but the national project he is steering. Economic stability, increased jobs, improved social services, empowered citizens and a transparent mining sector that finally benefits its people.
In the end, President Hakainde Hichilema means well for Zambia. His actions prove it. His policies reflect it. And the country’s trajectory confirms it.Those who pretend not to see are not blind.
They are politically invested in chaos. But ordinary Zambians, the beneficiaries of these reforms, know that the truth needs no noise. It only needs to be lived.
The views of these few Catholic bishops and priests should not stop a legitimately elected government from undertaking its duties. There are many Zambians who are not catholic and many Zambians who are not religious. There are also many within the catholic faith who dont agree with the views of these few catholic bishops and priests. The current government has the duty to protect the rights of all citizens while respecting religious freedoms.
These bishops and priests should keep their noses out of politics. The church is a very compromised business, where were they when PF and LUNGU was killing a raping the country, did these baboon’s say anything….NO THEY DID NOT.
Mr bishop
look after your flock who are dwindling at Sunday service
Unleash holy fire on the freemason
From my knowledge there has never been amendment of constitution that has not attracted mixed feelings throughout the world.In Zambia all governments received some resistance on constitution making or amendments.The sad thing for now in our country Zambia is the over reaction by some catholic clegies.The way they are behaving is extremely strange.They have personalized this amendment process with over exaggerated sense of responsibility.Iam sure even the catholic congregants are irritated by the strange conduct of some of their clegies.The Catholic church is not the only church in Zambia and they can’t tell us that other churches don’t have intelligent clegies.We shall start thinking that their behavior shows some political inclination because of brown envelopes missing now. We can’t advise the government of HH to compromise with public funds.The Catholic clegies are not shy to exhibit poor conduct in front of their church.They complain about constitution amendments but even go further to talk about hunger mixing up things and inciting anarchy.Probably they want that stolen property of ZRA handed back to them.There are several important matters concerning people that the government must attend to and that is what the churches like catholic should fight for. They can’t pretend too far that they love us too much by the choice of fighting constitution making.The Parliament is the organ of government that was designed to handle such matters through well mannered talks or debates.The bill 10 passed in Parliament and in all stages and the Parliamentarians decided to say no to it.Now we have clergies who want to disregard Parliamentary duties and take charge in a premitive way as if they are outside a big market where pigs and goats are being sold.Shame.
The Devil’s incarnate at work.