PARTY IS OVER, SAFES ARE EMPTY
….HH tells new Cabinet choices to forget about celebrating and focus on delivering for Zambia
By DAVID KANDUZA
THE grandeur of the State House was sharply undercut today, October 28, 2026, by a sobering fiscal reality check.
Presiding over the official swearing-in ceremony of his newly configured executive team, President Hakainde Hichilema delivered a stern, unvarnished directive to the incoming leaders: “The safes are empty. No more party after party.”
Standing before the freshly sworn-in public servants, a visibly resolute President Hichilema made it clear that public office was not an invitation to luxury or celebration, but an urgent call to national duty.
He underscored that his administration’s core focus—the ‘Grow Zambia Agenda’—leaves absolutely no room for financial indiscipline, inflated procurement costs, or corruption.
Every Ngwee must count toward rewriting Zambia’s economic trajectory.
The shake-up features a significant game of musical chairs among veteran ministers, shifting key figures into critical regulatory and social sectors:
Moving from Home Affairs, Jack Mwiimbu assumes the role of Minister of Justice, replacing Princess Kasune, who moves to the Ministry of Tourism.
The vacancy at the Ministry of Home Affairs was filled by newly appointed Clement Andeleki.
Elvis Nkandu transitions from Youth and Sports to become the Minister of Information and Media and in the extractive sector, former Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba breaks new ground as the Minister of Mines.
Former second deputy Speaker Moses Moyo took the helm at the Ministry of Agriculture, supported by Olive Chiboola as the Minister of Livestock.
Patrick Mucheleka takes over the sensitive Ministry of Lands, while Collins Nzovu shifts focus to civil works as the Minister of Infrastructure.
Ambrose Lufuma maintained his steady hand, being reappointed as Minister of Defence. Similarly, Felix Mutati returns to familiar territory at the Ministry of Technology and Science.
Full Cabinet Lineup by Portfolio
The complete structure of the restructured Cabinet of Zambia stands as follows:
• Minister of Defence: Ambrose Lufuma
• Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Dr. Clement Andeleki
• Minister of Justice: Jack Mwiimbu
• Minister of Information and Media: Elvis Nkandu
• Minister of Agriculture: Moses Moyo
• Minister of Livestock: Olive Chiboola
• Minister of Petroleum: Makozo Chikote
• Minister of Electricity: Peter Kapala
• Minister of Water Development and Sanitation: Elisha Matambo
• Minister of Mines: Brenda Tambatamba
• Minister of Trade and Exports: Dr. Caroline Katotobwe
• Minister of Industry: Noel Nkoma
• Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises: Luckson Sichone
• Minister of Infrastructure: Collins Nzovu
• Minister of Lands: Patrick Mucheleka
• Minister of Local Government: Gift Sialubalo
• Minister of Technology and Science: Felix Mutati
• Minister of Education: Harry Kamboni
• Minister of Skills and Higher Education: Douglas Syakalima
• Minister of Labour and Social Security: Misheck Nyambose
• Minister of Community Development: Sheal Mulyata
• Minister of Tourism: Princess Kasune
• Minister of Culture and Arts: Christopher Chibuye
• Minister of Youth and Sports: Likando Mufalali
The Provincial Team
To ensure the central Government’s newly aligned policies were effectively implemented on the ground, President Hichilema simultaneously deployed a full slate of 10 provincial ministers to oversee regional administration:
• Central Province: Mwabashike Nkulukusa
• Copperbelt Province: Emmanuel Kasambo
• Eastern Province: Yamikani Phiri
• Luapula Province: Leslie Mulwanda
• Lusaka Province: Obvious Mwaliteta
• Muchinga Province: Jairos Simbeye
• Northern Province: Wedden Chileshe
• North-Western Province: Robert Lihefu
• Southern Province: Edgar Sing’ombe
• Western Province: Kapelwa Mbangweta