The Government through Parliament has passed the Public Gatherings Bill 2026, repealing the colonial-era Public Order Act of 1955 once presidential assent is granted. The new law provides a modern legal framework for regulating public meetings, protests and political rallies in Zambia, balancing constitutional freedoms of assembly and expression with public safety.

Parliament passes the Public Gathering Bill

Reform the Public Order Act and prevent its abuse

Cabinet Approved the Introduction of Bill to amend Public Order Act.&nbsp;

Approval of the Introduction of Bill

President Hichilema has relieved the &nbsp;minister of Health and the minister Small and Medium Enterprises Development of their duties and will announce new appointments soon

HH drops 2 Ministers

Depoliticise the public service and improve leadership, managerial skills and officials' mindsets

Government of Zambia removes term limits for mayors and council chairpersons in Act No 13 of 2025, formerly Bill 7.

Act No.13 will allow for retention of leaders – Milenge Council chairperson

Improve the capacities of local authorities to make decisions and deliver services

Zambia participating in the World Government Summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Vice-President Mutale Nalumango leaves for Dubai

Improve Government's capacity to make better decisions at the local level

Zambia hosts Ghana President John Mahama&nbsp;

Zambia Host Ghana President

Rebuild diplomatic links where these have been broken and restart foreign missions

Police halted a public gathering at the home of Presidential hopeful &nbsp;Makebi Zulu ot the Patriotic Front (PF)&nbsp;

Police Stops Public Gathering

Ensure strict adherence to the rule of law and end selective application of the law

Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) unveiled and launched the 2026 General Election Roadmap, including a nationwide delimitation exercise for 70 new constituencies, with stakeholder consultations in all 116 districts and online voter register inspections.

Nationwide delimitation exercise launched in Zambia

Elaborate ECZ's roles in conducting legal and electoral reforms

The government of Zambia through the Local Government Commission has demoted eight principal officers due to incompetence. Officials emphasized that such actions are necessary to improve efficiency and accountability within local government operations, warning that similar measures will be taken against underperforming staff in the future to enhance service delivery.

The Local Government Commission Demotes 8 Principal Officers and Warns Against Incompetence

Subject all senior public officials to performance based contracts reviewed annually

In partnership with Synergy International Systems, Inc. (Synergy), the Judiciary is developing an advanced Electronic Case Management System (ECMS) to revolutionize court operations across the nation.&nbsp;

Transforming Justice in Zambia with Electronic Case Management System

Modernise the judiciary operations

The government through the National Assembly of Zambia has taken a significant step towards enhancing its budget oversight role by training selected staff from various departments on sector budget analysis, annual borrowing plans and gender-responsive budgeting.

National Assembly Staff Trained on Sector Budget Analysis, Borrowing and Gender Responsiveness

Support the National Assembly in staffing and training the parliamentary budget office

The government of Zambia has increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation to each of the country&rsquo;s 156 constituencies from K36.1 million in 2025 to K40 million in 2026.

CDF increased to 40 million Kwacha

Decentralise service delivery with an increased CDF and accountable local government service providers

The Governemnt of Zambia throug the Minister of Health Alex Katakwe has suspended five senior ZAMMSA procurement and supply chain officers to curb inefficiency and misconduct at the medicines agency. He has called on the Drug Enforcement Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate them, and revoked the PSZ president's board appointment.

5 ZAMMSA officers suspended

Strengthen institutions to guarantee security, safety, fundamental human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and justice

The government through the ministry of local government and rural development has disbursed over K1 billion as part of the consituency development fund for al lthe 156 consituencies countrywide&nbsp;

K1 billion dispersed as part of the Constituency Development Fund to all the 156 Constituencies countrywide.

Ensure that decentralization by devolution is implemented

The Ministry of Justice issued a notice that the Constitutional Review Committee will sit in Lusaka before proceeding to provincial consultations.

Constitutional Review Committee to Begin Sittings on October 27

Complete the constitutional reform agenda, anchored on national consensus

The Electoral Commission of Zambia put out a statement stating that they did not have the authority to amend any law or act&nbsp;

The Electoral Commission of Zambia dismisses changing electoral laws

Restructure the ECZ and ensure it's capacity to carry out legal and other related research

The Lusaka City Council has distributed K16.8 million in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) grants to 717 cooperatives. This initiative aims to empower local organizations, promote economic development, and enhance community engagement across Lusaka

The Lusaka City Council has Disbursed K16.8 Million in Constituency Development Fund (CDF)

Improve the capacity of government to formulate, analyse and implement policies

The Zambian Government through the Judicial Service Commission for advertising judge openings, demonstrating a commitment to public trust. The Commission seeks to fill 20 High Court and Court of Appeal positions. Applicants require 10 years legal experience, high moral character, and professional competence, according to Josiah Kalala.

Government Advertises Judge Openings

Guarantee independence and autonomy of the judiciary, a free press, and an active civil society

The government has launched the Citizen Support Portal to enhance transparency and improve service delivery by facilitating real-time access to information and services, tracking queries, and enabling citizen feedback.

Government unveils Real Time Service Delivery Portal

Re-engineer service delivery processes through technology and digitisation

The government has introduced mechanisms to monitor agro dealers' perfomance.

Government implements measures to curb maIpractices among agro dealers

Develop more effective leadership and management and ensure sectoral management capacities are strengthened

The National Assembly has introduced the 2022-2026 strategic plan.&nbsp;

Strategic Plan Is Developed By The National Assembly

Support the National Assembly to develop a strategic plan for its legislative agenda

President appoints individual with no experience in diplomacy as deputy ambassador

HH appoints brother as Zambia’s Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia

Ensure professional personnel are allowed to represent the country in our foreign missions

Government is engaging in a review process of the Public Order Act.

Government starts review of Public Order Act  to protect Democracy

Give autonomy to the police in the enforcement of the Public Order Act

Hakainde Hichilema suspendend three Constitutional Court judges Justice Anne Sitali, Justice Mungeni Mulenga, and Justice Palan Mulonda on September 23, 2024.&nbsp;

HH Suspends 3 Constitutional Court Judges

Ensure accountability of the executive through the National Assembly and the judiciary

Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo met in Lubumbashi to discuss the concerns that prompted the Zambian government to close border crossings.

Zambia and DRC hold talks over trade

Ensure that bilateral trade, economic and technical cooperation will be the hallmark of our foreign policy

Zambia's Information and Media Minister says the proposed amendment to the ZNBC Act would help to transform the national broadcaster into a genuine public service entity, ensuring ZNBC operates professionally, impartially, and allows for the free flow of information to the Zambian people.

IBA Act set for amendment

Enacting a consultatively established Freedom of Information Act

26-Year-Old Man Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Brutal Murder of Pregnant Wife

Man Sentenced for Murder

Widen access to justice for all

Police in Mpulungu District impounded eight trucks of maize that were allegedly suspected to have been planned for smuggling into neighbouring countries.

Police in Mpulungu seize trucks laden with maize for smuggling.

Support and strengthen intelligence agencies

The government installed four more &nbsp;ZNBC radio 1 &nbsp;and 2 transmission sites in four districts

Government Installs 4 radio transmitters in four districts

Promote media coverage to improve transparency and accountability and expose government misconduct

Cabinet has approved the National Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Policy and its implementation plan owing to the prevalence of vices such as corruption, tax evasion, drug trafficking, theft, and fraud.

Cabinet approves anti-money laundering, terrorism policy.

Improve the framework for Monitoring and Evaluation

The government has approved six (6) Bills for publication and introduction in Parliament.
Cabinet has approved the Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, of 2022 &nbsp;Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill, of 2022,&nbsp; The Zambia Institute of Banking and Financial Services Bill of 2022 The Securities (Amendment) Bill of 2022&nbsp; The Constituency Development Fund (Amendment) Bill, 2022 National Pension Scheme (Amendment) Bill of 2022&nbsp;

Government approves six bills for publication and introduction in Parliament

Establish a durable constitutional order to catalyse development

The government through the &nbsp;Acting Secretary to the Cabinet suspends travel for Permanent Secretaries and Directors for 90 days with immediate effect.

Cabinet suspends travel for Permanent Secretaries and Directors for 90 days.

Establish a strategy and action plan for an efficient, exceptional and professional public service

The Permanent Secretary of Administration in the Ministry of Health was relieved of his duties and summoned to appear in court on allegations of corruption.

Ministry of Health, Permanent Secretary relieved of his duties.

Promote a culture of transparency and accountability with controlling officers routinely appearing before appropriate parliament committees

Establish an independent electoral commission

Support reform efforts to make Parliament autonomous

Separate the offices of the attorney general and minister of justice

Respect court judgments and orders

Mount a comprehensive training and capacity building programme for all relevant institutions

Judges no longer Enjoy Security of Tenure

Security of Tenure Uncertainty

Guarantee the independence of the judiciary

Guarantee adequate funding to all institutions mandated to provide security

Restructure and re-orient the Public Service commission and ensure the merit principle is respected in appointments and promotions

Ensure minister's role provides strategic leadership and policy direction not day-to-day operations

Ensure all cabinet ministers are appointed based on competence

Ensure regular engagement between the president and leaders of opposition parties to solidify Vision 2030 consensus

President Hichilema confirms date for his third appearance in Parliament&nbsp;

President's third appearance in Parliament

Ensure the president has regular question and answer sessions with the media, parliament and opposition leaders

Copperbelt Province Minister says his office will adhere to the principles of running an open door policy for the public.

Open door policy for the public in Copperbelt Province

Ensure all public offices have an open door policy

President Hichilema outlined that his government will &nbsp;pursue constitutional reforms, including expanding the bill of rights as a major priority

Pursue of constitutional reforms

Revive the process of expanding the Bill of Rights to integrate economic, social and cultural rights

Domesticate key international and regional conventions to uphold good governance

President unveils new cabinet with newly appointed provincial ministers

Newly appointed provincial ministers

Review the role of provincial administrations to ensure local level participation in governance

The President appointed new District Commissioners for the districts in the country.

Citizens Watch

Promise

Promise History

Parliament passes the Public Gathering Bill

Approval of the Introduction of Bill