Transparency International Zambia calls for stronger anti-corruption pus

Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) says the fight against corruption appears to have lost prominence in the UPND’s second-term agenda despite President Hakainde Hichilema’s pledge to intensify the campaign against the vice.

In a statement issued on Friday, TI-Z Executive Director, Maurice Nyambe, said the President’s inauguration speech was largely consistent with the UPND’s revised 2026–2031 manifesto, which includes a commitment to protect public resources and strengthen the fight against corruption.

Nyambe, however, said the anti-corruption agenda appeared to have become an auxiliary goal rather than a central priority of the administration.

He said the current manifesto no longer contained clear and measurable targets on fighting corruption, unlike the previous manifesto.

“Although TI-Z appreciates the President for including anti-corruption in his speech, it is our considered view that as the UPND administration embarks on its second term, it needs to rethink its approach in light of the seemingly reduced focus on corruption in the current manifesto,” Nyambe said.

He said the administration appeared to view the fight against corruption mainly as a means of improving public service delivery, rather than as an ethical obligation in its own right.

Nyambe also challenged the President’s suggestion that prioritising national interest would automatically ensure that public officials’ personal interests were taken care of.

He said national and personal interests could sometimes conflict, with public officials potentially having to sacrifice personal benefits to act in the country’s interest.

“Doing what is right for the country will mean getting less personal benefits,” he said.

Nyambe said Zambia also lacked adequate legislative and regulatory mechanisms to prevent public officials from placing personal interests above national interests.

He cited the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for the declaration of assets, liabilities and interests, as well as the lack of legislation regulating political party financing.

He said these gaps needed to be addressed if government was serious about strengthening accountability and preventing corruption.

Nyambe added that TI-Z would therefore expect the government’s second term to include clearer targets, stronger legal safeguards and a more prominent anti-corruption agenda.

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