The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) has called on political players to denounce politics of hate and violence ahead of the August 12, general elections.

UCZ Muchinga Presbytery Bishop Festus Chulu reminded political leaders that winning an election should not be a desperate task adding that leadership comes from God.

Bishop Chulu explained that people should not be using hate speech in their quest to get leadership positions.

He explained that leadership should be about selling practical ideas and programmes that can improve the lives and wellbeing of electorates.

The clergyman has further called on Christians to pray for both the church and political leaders.

He said both the clergy and politicians are all called to lead people despite using different platforms.

“Both the clergy and politicians are called to be leaders and servants of the people and we should always remember to pray for them,” he said.

Bishop Chulu said this at St. Paul’s congregation in Kasama during the induction service of Bishop Maybin Mulenga for his second term as Northern Presbytery Bishop.

Meanwhile, Kasama District Commissioner Kelly Kashiwa expressed happiness that the UCZ has continued to preach and promote peace and unity in the nation through its teachings.

Mr. Kashiwa said the church has a big responsibility to unite the people especially now that the country is going towards the polls.

“The church should be in the forefront and condemn all forms of political violence, hate speech and slander,” he said.

And Mr. Kashiwa explained that government is proud to work with the United Church in Zambia because of its positive contribution towards human development.

The District Commissioner noted that the church has played a critical role in the country’s political history adding that government cherishes this partnership.

Mr. Kashiwa used the opportunity to call on Zambians to promote love and unity at all times.

President Edgar Lungu is expected in Eastern Province today, for a one-day working visit. President Lungu is expected to arrive in Chipata in the morning and later proceed to congregate with Christians at the Anglican Diocese of Chipata St. Pauls Congregation.

The President is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Chipata George Lungu at St. Anne’s Cathedral in the afternoon.

Catholic Diocese of Chipata George Lungu had directed all Catholic Churches in the province not to receive Government empowerment funds in the light of Zambia’s debt and poverty levels.

The Head of State will later in the day pay a courtesy call on Paramount Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people at his Ephindukeni palace.

According to a programme made available to the media by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche, President Lungu is expected to depart for Lusaka later in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Rev. Godfridah Sumaili has thanked the church, Religious and Faith-Based Organisations for the massive response towards the Empowerment scheme being implemented by her Ministry.

Speaking when she paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Rev. Sumaili said her Ministry was in receipt of over 1500 applications across the country.

She said the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs technical team and other stakeholders were currently sitting to scrutinize applications and is hopeful that successful applicants will be announced soon.

She stated that Government is ready to work with the church and continue uplifting their welfare through the empowerment scheme and other initiatives to enable the church continue running it’s mandate without fail.

Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Veronica Mwiche has applauded governments relations with the church in the Province.

Ms. Mwiche said her office is delighted to see the Churches eagerness to work with government whenever they are called upon.

She said the church are critical partners in development and deserves to be supported.

She said her office had received hundreds of applications towards the Church, Religious and Faith-Based Organisations empowerment scheme.

She said the Church is a meeting place for people from all walks of life, and that church leaders are influential in speaking messages of peace, love and unity.

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Acting President Inonge Wina, has called on traditional leaders in the country to play a pivotal role in promoting peace as the country heads to the general election on August 12, 2021.

Mrs Wina says traditional leaders are key players in safeguarding peace in the country adding that the government will continue to value the contribution chiefs are making in uniting the people of Zambia.

The acting President said this when she addressed traditional leaders in Ikelenge district yesterday.

Mrs Wina also urged the chiefs to ensure that the source of the Zambezi River in Ikelenge is protected from encroachment to safeguard the Livelihood of wildlife and the people that depend on the water channel as it meanders through seven other African countries.

Meanwhile chiefs in Ikelenge district have assured the acting President that traditional leadership in the border town will rally behind President Lungu to ensure that he is re-elected to continue with his development agenda for the country.

Speaking on behalf of three other chiefs, Chieftainess Ikelenge said traditional leadership in the district is fully behind the leadership of President Lungu to continue beyond 2021 because of the president’s commitment to taking development to all parts of the country.

The chiefs present in the meeting were chief Mwininyilamba, chief Nyakaseya, sub chief Mukangala and Chieftainess Ikelenge.

Mrs Wina is on a three-day working visit to Northwestern province.

She is accompanied by provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu, member of the PF central committee Kabinga Pande and other senior government officials.

THE Zambian Roads & Highway Safety Group (ZRHSG) welcomes the decision to close all right hand turns on all newly built roads and on busiest roads within Lusaka as announced by the Lusaka City Mayor, Mr Miles Sampa

The Group believes closing all right hand turns will lead to a faster and a smoother flow of traffic around Lusaka as those in the inner lane or the fast lane move faster without any delays or disturbances.

The Group believes this move will also help reduce the many incidences of accidents recorded on these busy roads.

The Group therefore welcomes the Mayor of Lusaka’s recent announcement that all islands starting with the newest roads will be closed permanently thereby making Lusaka a No Right Hand Turn city.

The Zambian Roads and Highway Safety Group has always advocated for turning busiest roads into a No Right Hand Turn roads in the Lusaka CBD- Central Business District – and instead use traffic circles or roundabouts – to enable traffic intending to turn right to go round and make U turns at the traffic circle for them to come around and have access the other lanes.

This will effectively make the busy roads in Lusaka “Turn Left Only” roads and free the inner lanes for fast lanes.

Most delays on the fast lane or inner lane are caused by vehicles blocking the fast lane as they wait for their turn to turn right.

These waitings or dead stops on busy roads like on Addis Ababa, Los Angeles Boulevard, Great East Rd, Kamloops, Burma, Chilimbulu, Katima Mulilo, Tokyo Ring Road among others, have been a cause of many road traffic accidents recorded on these roads.

The Group is hopefully the Lusaka City Council will go further and make by laws that will compel road constructors that all new roads built in Lusaka be “No Right Turn’ Roads.

Another area the by laws will come in handy is to demand that new roads have space for cyclists and pedestrians to walk or use these roads safely.

“When all roads have their islands closed and no vehicles allowed to turn right or cut across busy roads, there will be faster flow of traffic, reduced time spent on the road and reduced number of road traffic accidents recorded. There will also be enough space for pedestrians and cyclists to use.

The Group urges RDA, RTSA and other road safety and transport agencies to develop a habit of listening to advise from advocacy groups like the way the Mayor Miles Sampa has done.

Patriotic Front (PF) Secretary-General Hon. Davies Mwila says the PF government under the leadership President Edgar Lungu considers education as a fundamental basic human right that every Zambian citizen is entitled to.

Speaking when he officiated at the fundraising luncheon organized by St. Peter and Paul Church in Chingola, Hon Mwila stated that the PF views education as an investment and not a cost.

He explained that this is the reason why the PF government under the leadership of President Lungu has continued to invest billions of Kwachas in the education sector to ensure access to quality and affordable education for all.

“The PF Government, being a pro-poor Government, believes in universal access to general education for all citizens,” Hon. Mwila said.

The party Chief Executive Officer explained that the PF Government has in the past 9 years constructed 14,235 primary schools, 4,690 secondary schools, 14 trades schools, and increased the number of public universities from 3 to 7.
And Hon. Mwila said the PF party recognize and appreciates the great works that the Catholic Church in general and St. Peter and Paul, in particular, are doing in complimenting the government’s efforts in the provision of education.

“It is for this reason that when we saw your invitation we did not hesitate to come and be a part of this fundraising luncheon,” he said.

Hon.Mwila stressed that the PF will continue to work with the Church in fostering national development, unity and peace.

He said the party believe that apart from preaching the good news, the church has an obligation to meet the physical needs of people adding that this is why the party has been working hand in hand with the Church to uplift the living standards of Zambians.

“Father MUTUNU, I know that we are here to raise money for the school that your parish is building; according to the information I have, your target is K700,000. This money will go towards the completion of the school for our children here,” he said.

The PF Secretary General has since appealled to the business Community and members of the public to contribute towards the construction of the school.

Over K400, 000 cash was raised during the luncheon from the invited guests.

Among the notable people who attended the event include Chifubu Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Frank Ng’ambi, Health Minister Dr. Jonas Chanda, former Sports Minister and Nchanga Member of Parliament Hon. Richard Kazala and other party officials.