Zambia Must Prosper (ZMP) President Kelvin Fube Bwalya (KBF) has condemned what he described as political discrimination and the abuse of state institutions after he and his wife were ordered to leave a Catholic fundraising event at the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Chamba Valley without explanation.
KBF said that "barely five minutes into the event," senior ZNS officials instructed them to leave the venue, a move he described as "humiliating and politically motivated." He added that "no legal reason was provided for our eviction -- only the heavy hand of political fear and intimidation."
He said the incident occurred during a Dinner Fundraising Event for the Catholic Sisters' "Sister to Sister" initiative, which he attended with senior party officials and his wife, "a devout Catholic and long-time supporter of Church initiatives." The ZMP leader described the act as "unlawful" and "an example of state institutions being weaponized for political purposes under the UPND government."
"A government that fears its people is a failed state," he said, stressing that Zambia is not a one-party state and that the Constitution guarantees freedom of assembly, association, and religion. "No government -- however powerful it imagines itself -- has the right to violate these constitutional freedoms," he added.
KBF stated that the Catholic Church has always been a place of "truth, unity, and compassion" and should remain a "neutral and safe space." He said the Church "must remain independent and inclusive -- not a place where citizens are profiled or expelled for political reasons."
"The 'Sister to Sister' initiative represents the spirit of Christ -- love, service, and inclusion," he said. "Turning such an event into a stage for political discrimination is both shameful and unchristian."
KBF called upon the Zambia National Service Command "to explain the basis of this misconduct," and urged the Ministry of Defence "to immediately investigate the abuse of authority by ZNS officials." He also appealed to the Catholic Secretariat to "reaffirm its position as a non-partisan and welcoming institution for all believers."
He said Zambia Must Prosper "stands firm in defense of every Zambian's right to freedom and dignity," and that the party rejects "intimidation, exclusion, and fear politics." He warned that "the misuse of public institutions to silence opponents is unconstitutional, immoral, and politically dangerous."
Meanwhile, in a separate reflection made earlier on the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Reconciliation, KBF spoke about the importance of humility, unity, and renewed cooperation among the country's political leaders. He said that members of the TONSE Alliance, both past and present, "came together in a spirit of reflection and reconciliation."
"We sat across from one another not as rivals or aggrieved partners but as leaders who once dared to unite for the sake of Zambia," he said. "We acknowledged our differences, admitted our collective mistakes, and agreed that the spirit of unity must not die because of past political fractures."
He explained that the meeting "was not about reviving a political pact for convenience," but about "reigniting a shared commitment to national purpose." According to KBF, "the TONSE Alliance may have faltered along the way, but the ideals that birthed it -- unity, inclusiveness, and a people-driven agenda -- still matter."
Reflecting on the moment, KBF said, "as we bowed our heads in prayer and opened our hearts to reconciliation, we were reminded that Zambia can only prosper when her leaders are humble enough to make peace, and wise enough to work together again."
He concluded by emphasizing that the day should mark the beginning of renewed collaboration among national leaders. "May this not be a moment that ends with the day but the beginning of a renewed spirit of collaboration. The nation is bigger than any single political camp. Only when we unite, Zambia will prosper."