REMARKS BY ARCHBISHOP IGNATIUS CHAMA ON THE 13 AUGUST GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE FALSE ALARM I have taken note of the pastoral address by Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, during the ZCCB Second Plenary in Lusaka. I know President Hakainde Hichilema and his government respect the constitutional role of the Church to […]

REMARKS BY ARCHBISHOP IGNATIUS CHAMA ON THE 13 AUGUST GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE FALSE ALARM

I have taken note of the pastoral address by Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops President, Archbishop Ignatius Chama, during the ZCCB Second Plenary in Lusaka.

I know President Hakainde Hichilema and his government respect the constitutional role of the Church to provide moral guidance and to speak on matters of justice, peace, and the common good. This he has said at many different fora.

I want to inform Archbishop Ignatius Chama

1. ZAMBIA IS NOT HEADED FOR DOOM
  The characterization that the 13 August elections will take the nation “to either prosperity or to doom” presents a false and alarmist choice. Zambia’s democracy is strong, resilient, and tested. The 2026 elections will be decided by the people, peacefully, through the ballot. That is prosperity in action. It’s unfortunate the Archbishop was sleeping in 2021 when he should have rightly given the pastoral address where the then opposition leader of the UPND and his party were not allowed to campaign freely. Brian Mundubile, Makebi Zulu and all their party members have campaigned freely.

2. FREEDOMS AND DEMOCRATIC SPACE REMAIN INTACT
  The UPND government has remained committed to upholding constitutional freedoms of expression, assembly, and association. Where challenges exist, they have been and are being addressed through dialogue, the courts, and existing democratic institutions. To suggest that liberties are being systematically eroded does not reflect the lived reality of a vibrant media, active civil society, and competitive political space we see today. Not a single media outlet has been shut. Not a single journalist has been arrested for doing their work.

3. LET US FOCUS ON PROSPERITY AND UNITY
  The UPND administration’s mandate is to restore economic stability, create jobs, fight corruption, and deliver public services. The reforms in the public service, agriculture, energy, and local government are aimed at building a Zambia where no one is left behind. That is the opposite of inviting “trouble.” It is inviting investment, discipline, and accountability.

4. THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH
  I concur with Archbishop Chama that this is not the time for the Church to join political bandwagons. The Church’s prophetic voice is most powerful when it calls all of government, opposition, and citizens to justice, truth, and peace. The Church should truly partner with Government in civic education, voter sensitization, and preaching peace before, during, and after elections.

Zambia is not on a path to doom. We are on a path of difficult but necessary reforms toward prosperity. The 13 August 2026 elections will be another moment for Zambians to renew their social contract with leaders of their choice. Statements like the one issued by Archbishop Chama should be condemned in the strongest manner. Such are what led to the Catholics in Rwanda succumb to hatred and violence by participating in the 1994 genocide. The Catholic Church in Zambia constitutes of people from different political parties and ethnicity. That’s why its important its leaders stay in the middle lane.

May all citizens, including our religious leaders, reject fear and embrace hope, facts, and unity as we go to the polls.

God bless Zambia.

Vivian Mungenda Mubukwanu
Kaywala Village
MULOBEZI
15.07.2026