Hichilema, Nalumango to Be Sworn In Tuesday as Zambia Marks Inauguration With Public Holiday, Police on High Alert

LUSAKA, 31 August 2026. Zambia will hold the formal swearing-in of President-elect Hakainde Hichilema and Vice President-elect Mutale Nalumango on Tuesday, September 1, at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka, following his declared win in the August 13 general election. Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa announced on August 30 that the day has been declared a public holiday, describing the ceremony as "a key constitutional process in Zambia's democratic transition." Kangwa said the holiday allows members of the public and invited guests to attend without disruption to official duties, and covers schools, banks and businesses. Kangwa toured Heroes Stadium on August 28 and said the venue was ready for the ceremony, crediting the combined inauguration committee, which has been working on preparations for roughly 70 days. He urged attendees to carpool, citing limited parking at the venue. International dignitaries are expected to attend, including a special envoy sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Chinese officials announced that Xian Hui, Vice Chairperson of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, will represent Xi at the ceremony. Inspector General of Police Graphel Musamba said on August 29 that the Zambia Police Service is on high alert, citing credible intelligence about groups planning to incite "unlawful processions and protests, both before and during" the ceremony, some of it linked to anger over the detention of opposition-linked suspects in the ongoing treason case against NRPUP leader Brian Mundubile and his running mate Makebi Zulu. "Any person who participates in, organises, facilitates or otherwise supports unlawful activities will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law," Musamba said. He added that "no democratic right can be used as a license for lawlessness," while stating that security threats at key government premises had already been contained. Civil society organisations have called fo