PRESIDENT HICHILEMA’S STANCE AGAINST GAY RIGHTS WELCOME BUT ACTION NEEDED-MWAMBA
Lusaka-15th March 2023
Patriotic Front Presidential Aspirant, Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba has welcomed fresh remarks by President Hakainde Hichilema that Zambia will maintain anti-homosexuality laws.
Speaking when he appeared on Radio Christian Voice “Chatback” Programme, Amb. Mwamba said the attempt by certain forces to promote homosexuality in Zambia must be rejected as the vice offends christian, traditional, cultural and Zambian values, norms and principles.
He welcomed the stance taken by President Hichilema but stated that despite the strong stand taken by President Hichilema, bemoaned that there were no corresponding activities by the Police and other institutions to stop the promotion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transexual rights and activities in Zambia.
He said when foreign embassies flew the LGBTQ flag, there was no action or public information against the act by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
He said similarly, when gay activists hijacked the Lusaka July held in September 2022, there was no action against the organisers or the perpetrators.
He called on President Hichilema to match his words with action to uphold and achieve meaningful principles and national values and good morals in the nation.
Police in Lusaka recently detained four people in connection with a pro-homosexual march past that took place on 4th March 2023 ahead of International Women’s Day.
The four, who all belong to Sistah Sistah Foundation Zambia, were charged with giving false information to a public officer and unlawful assembly.
Among those arrested is 29 year old Gladys Mwangala Monde
On 17th May 2022, Swedish and Finnish Embassies in Lusaka flew the Rainbow flag, a symbol of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQI) to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and aims to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations and stimulate interest in LGBT rights work worldwide.
The flying of the flags brought wide and heated condemnation against the Embassies and Zambia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
And On 30th May, 2022, and during the Funeral Church Service held for Mrs. Rachael Kabesha late spouse to the Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, President Hakainde Hichilema repeated his stance that his Government doesnt not accept gay rights.
Later a similar storm arose in September 2022 when the Lusaka July Fashion Show event was hijacked by gay activists and homosexuals.
Mr. Mwamba says without Police and Government action, the promotion of LGBQT rights will be heightened.
He said Government should also pay attention to certain policies and programmes for children and adolescents such as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) where promoters of LGBTQ rights have attempted to infuse awareness and promotion of homosexuality.
He also called upon the Registrar of Societies to deregister organisations that were promoting LGBQT rights as homosexuality remains illegal in Zambia.