By Burnett Munthali
LUSAKA — Zambia’s newly elected lawmakers have officially begun their five-year parliamentary mandate, with 112 Members of Parliament taking their oath of office at the National Assembly Buildings in Lusaka on Tuesday.
The swearing-in ceremony marks the formal start of the new parliamentary term following the country’s 2026 General Elections. The new term is expected to run through 2031.
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti presided over the ceremony, during which the elected lawmakers formally assumed their responsibilities as representatives of their respective constituencies.
The 112 lawmakers sworn in on Tuesday form part of the 224 MPs elected during the 2026 general elections.
Among those who took the oath were Kankoyo MP Edward Chomba, Keembe MP Princess Kasune, Mpulungu North MP Freedom Sikazwe, Shiwang’andu MP Stephen Kampyongo and Mwandi MP Iris Kaingu.
The swearing-in ceremony is an important constitutional step that allows the newly elected MPs to officially take up their seats and participate in the legislative affairs of the country.
The lawmakers are expected to represent their constituencies, scrutinise government policies, debate legislation and contribute to national decision-making during the new parliamentary term.
According to the report, seven of the 224 MPs were elected unopposed in their respective constituencies during the 2026 elections.
The latest development comes days after President Hakainde Hichilema was sworn in for a second term following the August 13 presidential election. Hichilema was declared the winner with about 60 percent of the vote, although the election was accompanied by controversy and criticism from opposition figures and observers.
With Parliament now beginning its new term, attention will turn to the composition of the legislature, the election of parliamentary leadership and the policy priorities that will shape Zambia’s political agenda over the next five years.
