Katele should respect Presidency – Nkandu
RULING UPND National Management Committee member Elvis Nkandu says former cabinet minister Dr Katele Kalumba should respect the Presidency and reminded him that President Hakainde Hichilema pardoned him on medical grounds in 2023.
Nkandu has condemned the remarks attributed to Dr Kalumba against President Hichilema in a video circulating on various media platforms, which he said were made during the election campaign period and later resulted in Kalumba’s arrest and being charged by law enforcement authorities.
The Kaputa lawmaker said although every Zambian has the constitutional right to express their views and participate in political discourse, such freedom should be exercised responsibly, with dignity and respect for institutions of the Republic of Zambia.
Nkandu said Kalumba, being a former senior public servant and politician, he understands the responsibility that comes with holding public office and the importance of protecting the dignity of State institutions.
Nkandu said President Hichilema demonstrated compassion when he exercised his constitutional powers of mercy and pardoned Kalumba on medical grounds in 2023.
“President Hakainde Hichilema demonstrated statesmanship and compassion by exercising the constitutional powers of mercy and pardoning him on medical grounds in 2023,” Nkandu said.
He said the President had every opportunity to approach the matter purely from a political perspective but instead chose to demonstrate humanity and compassion
Nkandu said the pardon should therefore not be interpreted as weakness but as an act of magnanimity and respect for human dignity.
He said political differences should never erase gratitude and respect for the Presidency.
Nkandu said President Hichilema is not merely the UPND president but the Republican President and Head of State elected by the people of Zambia.
“One may disagree with his policies, decisions or political direction. One may criticise his Government. One may even oppose the UPND politically. However, disagreement does not provide a licence to demean the Presidency or make reckless and unsubstantiated allegations against the Head of State,” Nkandu said.
Nkandu also warned against bringing regionalism into Zambia’s political discourse, saying the country has suffered enough from politics that seeks to divide citizens according to their region, province or tribe.
“Zambia belongs to all of us, and the Presidency belongs to all Zambians,” Nkandu said.
He said Kalumba should use his experience in politics to contribute constructively to national dialogue rather than promote narratives that could divide citizens.
Nkandu said the 2026 elections have come and gone and political actors should now demonstrate maturity by accepting the democratic process and contributing to national development.
Kalemba September 25, 2026
STATEMENT BY HON. ELVIS C. NKANDU
UPND NATIONAL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER
ON THE REMARKS BY DR. KATELE KALUMBA AGAINST PRESIDENT HAKAINDE HICHILEMA
I wish to strongly condemn, in the clearest possible terms, the remarks attributed to Dr. Katele Kalumba against His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema in a video circulating on various media platforms.
The remarks, reportedly made during the election campaign period and which subsequently resulted in Dr. Kalumba’s arrest and being charged by law enforcement authorities, are deeply regrettable and have no place in Zambia’s political discourse.
While every Zambian has the constitutional right to express their views and participate in political discourse, that freedom must be exercised with responsibility, dignity and respect for the institutions of the Republic of Zambia, including the Office of the President.
Dr. Katele Kalumba is a former senior public servant and politician who understands very well the responsibilities that come with holding public office and the importance of protecting the dignity of State institutions.
It is therefore unfortunate that someone who has personally benefited from the compassion and magnanimity of President Hakainde Hichilema would now resort to language and conduct that is seemingly intended to undermine the person and office of the Head of State.
Dr. Kalumba was convicted and imprisoned in connection with offences arising from the previous MMD administration. Despite the circumstances surrounding his conviction and imprisonment, President Hakainde Hichilema demonstrated statesmanship and compassion by exercising the constitutional powers of mercy and pardoning him on medical grounds in 2023.
That decision followed appeals for clemency, including an appeal associated with Senior Chief Puta. President Hichilema had every opportunity to approach the matter purely from a political perspective, but he instead demonstrated humanity and compassion.
The President’s decision to pardon Dr. Kalumba should therefore not be interpreted as weakness. It was an act of magnanimity and respect for human dignity.
It is deeply disappointing that such compassion could subsequently be met with statements that are disrespectful to the very person who exercised that discretion.
I wish to remind Dr. Kalumba that political differences should never erase gratitude, decency and respect for the Presidency.
President Hichilema is not merely the President of the United Party for National Development. He is the Republican President and Head of State, elected by the people of Zambia.
One may disagree with his policies, decisions or political direction. One may criticise his Government. One may even oppose the UPND politically. However, disagreement does not provide a licence to demean the Presidency or make reckless and unsubstantiated allegations against the Head of State.
We must equally reject attempts to inject regionalism into Zambia’s political discourse.
Our country has suffered enough from politics that seeks to divide citizens according to their region, province, tribe or place of origin. Zambia belongs to all of us, and the Presidency belongs to all Zambians.
Those who held public office in the past should be among the first to understand the dangers of undermining national unity through irresponsible political rhetoric.
Dr. Kalumba has been part of Zambia’s political history and understands the consequences of political instability, intolerance and division. He should therefore use his experience to contribute constructively to national dialogue rather than promote narratives that risk dividing citizens.
The 2026 elections have come and gone. The people have spoken through the ballot, and the constitutional institutions of the Republic have performed their respective functions.
Political actors must now demonstrate maturity by accepting the democratic process and contributing to national development.
Elections do not give anyone a licence to insult, threaten, humiliate or make reckless allegations against political opponents or public institutions.
Equally, holding a different political opinion does not make anyone an enemy of the State.
We can disagree without becoming enemies. We can criticise without destroying. We can challenge Government without attacking the dignity of the Presidency.
As a member of the UPND National Management Committee, I will continue to defend the democratic values upon which our movement stands, including respect for constitutional institutions, national unity, human dignity and the rule of law.
I therefore call upon Dr. Katele Kalumba to reflect on the responsibility that comes with his public standing and political history.
The President extended mercy when mercy was sought. The least that can be expected in return is respect for the institution of the Presidency and for the people who entrusted President Hakainde Hichilema with the leadership of the Republic of Zambia.
Let us not allow personal political disagreements to become a vehicle for regionalism, division and disrespect.
Zambia is bigger than any individual politician.
The Presidency is bigger than any political party.
And our national unity is more important than any political disagreement.
Hon. Elvis C. Nkandu
UPND National Management Committee Member