⬆️ BRIEFING | Tonse Alliance Sets Chawama Test Run, Picks FDD as Vehicle in High-Stakes

The Tonse Alliance has confirmed it will contest the Chawama parliamentary by-election, formally adopting the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) as its provisional Special Purpose Vehicle in what now shapes up as a critical political test ahead of the 2026 general elections.

The decision was reached on Thursday during a Council of Leaders meeting in Lusaka, co-chaired by Patriotic Front Acting President and Tonse Acting Chairman Given Lubinda, alongside Tonse Vice Chairman and Christian Democratic Party leader Rev. Dan Pule. The meeting brought together party presidents, civil society figures, clergy, and prominent citizens aligned to the opposition bloc.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the alliance resolved that it would “carefully identify and collectively sponsor one alliance candidate” for the Chawama by-election, which the Electoral Commission of Zambia has scheduled following the vacancy of the seat formerly held by Tasila Lungu.

The alliance confirmed that, for this contest, it would use FDD as its provisional vehicle, describing the move as consistent with its established practice of deploying a Special Purpose Vehicle where legal and strategic considerations demand it.

“Specifically in this upcoming Chawama by-elections, Tonse Alliance Council of Leaders unanimously agreed and resolved to use Forum for Democracy and Development as its Provisional Special Purpose Vehicle,” the statement read, while noting that a final decision on the alliance’s 2026 presidential and general elections vehicle would be announced at a later stage.

Chawama now assumes significance well beyond a single constituency. It is one of Lusaka’s most politically active urban seats, historically symbolic for the Patriotic Front and closely watched by both the ruling UPND and the opposition as a bellwether of shifting sentiment in the capital.

For Tonse, the contest offers an early opportunity to demonstrate unity, discipline, and electoral relevance amid ongoing questions about opposition cohesion.

The alliance also used the communiqué to restate its firm opposition to Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7, aligning itself explicitly with advocacy efforts led by the Oasis Forum, church bodies, civil society, scholars, and other stakeholders.

Tonse accused the UPND government of pursuing what it called “arrogant and undemocratic actions” by pushing the Bill forward, arguing that it runs contrary to what it described as the “sound legal position” of the Constitutional Court and broad public concern.

“The Alliance believes that the UPND government is undermining national unity through its arrogant and undemocratic actions of trying to impose Bill 7 on Zambians,” the statement said, framing the constitutional debate as both a legal and political fault line heading into an election year.

The choice of FDD as a provisional vehicle is also politically instructive. It signals a pragmatic approach by Tonse, prioritising ballot access and alliance survival over branding, while keeping open the question of a broader, unified platform for 2026. It also places FDD, a party with long opposition credentials, back into a national spotlight.

As the political calendar tightens, Chawama becomes more than a by-election. It is a rehearsal. For Tonse, it will test whether alliance rhetoric can translate into coordinated ground action.

For the UPND, it will offer an early reading of urban mood. And for voters, it may preview how fragmented opposition forces intend to organise themselves when August 2026 finally arrives.

© The People’s Brief | Goran Handya

MUNDUBILE REJECTS BILL 7, IMENDA DEFENDS UPND

PATRIOTIC Front Mporokoso Member of Parliament Brian Mundubile has issued a strong call for all opposition political parties to close ranks and reject Constitution Amendment Bill No.7 of 2025, warning that its enactment could lay the groundwork for a future one-party state.

Speaking during a press briefing alongside other PF MPs, Mr Mundubile argued that the country is grappling with far more pressing challenges among them unpaid farmers, financial hardships faced by miners, and a strained economy insisting that Bill 7 should not be treated as a national priority.

He accused the UPND of allegedly incentivising some of its Members of Parliament to support the Bill, adding that the version being scrutinised is the same one that was previously condemned and should be abandoned in favour of addressing citizens’ immediate needs.

He since declared that he will fight with all that he has to ensure the Bill does not pass.

On the other hand, UPND Secretary General Batuke Imenda, who spoke moments after his party made its submission to the Parliamentary Select Committee, defended the ruling party’s position.

He says the UPND had undertaken thorough internal consultations and was guided by its core ideology, stressing that their focus remains on protecting the interests of Zambians rather than responding to accusations he described as baseless without evidence.

Diamond TV

Bill 7 Is the Reform Zambia Needs to Strengthen Representation and Secure a Fairer Future

As Zambia continues to grow, so must the systems that guide our democracy. The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7, widely known as Bill 7,  has ignited debate across the country. But beyond the noise, one truth stands out: this Bill presents a timely and necessary opportunity to modernise our governance and strengthen Zambia’s democratic foundations.

For years, citizens have called for a Parliament that truly reflects the population. Today, some constituencies are so large that MPs struggle to meet the needs of the people they represent. Population growth, new settlements, and shifting demographics have left many communities underserved.

Bill 7 resolves this gap by increasing the number of constituencies, allowing MPs to serve smaller, more manageable areas. This means quicker responses, better engagement, and more meaningful development at local level.

One of the most progressive elements of Bill 7 is its deliberate push for greater inclusion. For the first time, Zambia is taking a bold step to guarantee representation for women, young people, and persons with disabilities in Parliament. For decades, these groups have been key drivers of our economic and social progress, yet they remain underrepresented in national decision-making.

By creating additional seats reserved for them, allocated fairly based on national votes, Bill 7 ensures that our democracy is not only broader, but richer in perspectives. This is not tokenism; it is a serious and thoughtful correction to long-standing imbalances.

Bill 7 also improves the fairness of our electoral system. Currently, the first-past-the-post approach can sometimes distort the will of voters, granting overwhelming power to parties that may not reflect the full national mood. With elements of proportional representation introduced through the reserved seats, the final composition of Parliament will better mirror how Zambians actually voted.

In a country that values unity and stability, this is a step toward reducing political polarisation and tension.

The Bill further harmonises election timelines and clarifies processes that have historically caused confusion and unnecessary expenditure. Stronger coordination allows the Electoral Commission of Zambia to plan effectively and ensures that transitions between elected bodies happen smoothly. In an era where every kwacha counts, this efficiency is not just welcomed it is essential.

Critics of Bill 7 raise important concerns, particularly about consultation and implementation. These conversations are healthy for any democracy. But they should not overshadow the undeniable advantages the Bill brings.

The Government has demonstrated its commitment to listening, refining, and ensuring that the final law is one the nation can trust. What matters now is ensuring that the rollout is transparent, inclusive, and grounded in the rule of law.

At its heart, Bill 7 is about strengthening Zambia’s democratic identity. It is about ensuring that our Parliament grows with our population, that the voices of women and youth are not optional but guaranteed, and that persons with disabilities finally gain their rightful place in national governance. It is about building a fairer, more representative, and more united Zambia.

Reforms of this magnitude do not come often. When they do, they call for courage, the courage to modernise, to include, and to strengthen institutions that serve all citizens. Bill 7 offers us that chance.
Zambia stands at a crossroads. One path keeps the status quo. The other leads to a future where every citizen has a voice, every vote counts, and every community feels seen.

Bill 7 is that future, a reform whose time has come.

I submitte
Chawama aspiring Mp
Hon Prince Ignatius Hangoma
Aka king of Cuundu

By CIC

MWANAWASA CHANGED MY LIFE-ESTHER PHIRI.

FORMER BOXING Champion, Esther Phiri has announced that she will soon be establishing a boxing academy to help girls dreaming to become champions achieve their dreams.

Phiri, who in 2006 received a gift from late president Levy Mwanawasa after a wowing performance says, boxing has made her meet people she never thought she would.

“The Moment that changed my life for the rest of my life. The Late Dr. Levy Patrick Mwanawasa gifted me with a house I hold dear to till this day,” Phiri shares, attaching a picture of her seated next to the late president, Mwanawasa.

She recalls, “He and his wife walked besides me and made me walk on the presidential red carpet, that I will never forget.

“Boxing has made me meet people I never thought I would meet. So, to every young girl out there who wants to be like me,” Phiri shares.

She advises young people to to aim higher, adding that they can achieve more than she did.

“Mvelani, you can be more than me, and you will go places and people will honor you.

“I believe in every girl out there who wants to be a champion. Soon I will send enrollment announcement of young boxers who want to be part of the Esther Phiri Boxing Academy & Youth Empowerment Center which we are looking to establish,” Phiri says adding that, “There is hope.”

Credit: TV Yatu

CHIEF NYAMPANDE REBUKES PF FOR PUSHING SUCCESSOR BEFORE LUNGU’S BURIAL

CHIEF Nyampande of the Nsenga people has delivered a sharp rebuke to the Patriotic Front, condemning the party for disrespecting cultural traditions by pressing for the selection of a successor to the late former President Edgar Lungu before his burial.

The traditional leader states that this period of national mourning has been marred by political maneuvering, overshadowing the necessary reflection and unity.

Chief Nyampande has further voiced deep concern over the extended delay in conducting the former President’s burial, noting that more than six months have elapsed since his passing.

He has attributed this delay to internal party conflicts and raised questions about the current status and location of the late President’s remains, including whether they are still being held outside Zambia.

The Chief has called upon the New Dawn Administration to intervene and help the nation achieve closure, warning that the prolonged situation is both a cultural impropriety and a source of ongoing emotional distress for the country.

M&D

UPND GOVT HAS DENIED US 33 TIMES TO HOLD RALLIES, LAMENTS SP

SOCIALIST Party Secretary General Dr Cosmas Musumali has charged that the UPND is one of the most repressive governments Zambia has ever had.

He has lamented that his party has been denied every chance to hold a rally despite applying 33 times over the last four years.

And Dr Musumali says there is evidence of corruption and looting of public property under the UPND government, yet no action has been taken.

In an interview, Wednesday, Dr Musumali argued that the UPND government had repressed the opposition by denying them rallies.

He was responding to Nevers Mumba, who had advised Zambians to tolerate political leaders for who they were, as unity meant accepting differences

“He is right in one way when he says unity entails accepting differences, but this can’t be one-sided, and the truth is that Dr Nevers Mumba was speaking about it in defence of the current government. Why can’t the current government accept that political parties or opposition political parties have a role to play? They may differ from him but allow them to hold rallies. The Socialist Party has of today applied 33 times now to hold a rally over the past four years ever since the UPND government got into power, and we have not been allowed not even a single rally. As a political party, we have to engage the masses, we have to tell them our agenda, our manifesto, but we are not getting that chance,” Dr Musumali said.

“This is one of the most repressive governments that Zambia has ever had. So, if the statement of Dr Nevers Mumba is correct that accepting differences is a form of uniting this country, then he should actually be speaking to President HH. President HH is not uniting this country, he doesn’t have the tolerance, he doesn’t have what it takes to accept criticism”.

Reacting to President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent remarks that he felt extremely bad when fellow citizens wanted to protect those who were stealing from people, Dr Musumali said corruption was being addressed selectively under the UPND government.

“There are two issues involved here. One is a question of principle, in that if somebody has stolen, they should be tried and the law should take its course. Our major concern is that it’s partial. There’s evidence of looting of public property which is happening in the UPND government, but we don’t see similar action being taken. The criticism against the President and the actions he’s taking and also the way he is sort of directing the entire judiciary is that the wrongs of the UPND government are hardly talked about and no action is taken. That’s the issue of impartiality in terms of how issues are dealt with. The second issue that we have brought out, especially from the Socialist Party perspective, is that the President is not transparent with his economic and financial dealings, and that any fight against corruption starts with him. He is not leading by example,” said Dr Musumali.

“There’s a lot of suspicion surrounding his wealth, his businesses and all the transactions that he has entered into ever since he got into power. And for the sake of fairness and transparency, from somebody who is leading this country, he should come out clean. So, here is somebody talking about fighting corruption and dealing with other people, but he is not open about himself, so he’s not walking the talk. Basically, those are the two issues”.

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