News Digest - Monday, June 15th, 2026

Our nation continues to see the Constituency Development Fund reshape communities from Chingola to Isoka, while international partnerships strengthen our peacekeeping credentials and political leaders rally ahead of August's polls. Here is your digest of what matters to Zambia today.

Main Stories

1. CDF Drives Nationwide Development: From Schools to Roads and Healthcare
   The Constituency Development Fund is delivering tangible change across our nation this week. In Isoka District, government commissioned seven CDF projects worth over K7.5 million including the National Assembly Office, Chizongolo Health Post, Malale Health Post, Nazareth Health Post, and a 1×3 classroom block at Mweninkasi Primary School, demonstrating how decentralised funding brings essential services to rural communities. Meanwhile, Chingola Municipal Council has approved 19 roads for rehabilitation under 2026 CDF allocations, with the 8.6-kilometre Muntimpa-Katuba Road already underway, and has commissioned solar power systems at North Mine Baptist Church, Pentecostal Holiness Church and King's Trust School using 2026 CDF funds to support community activities and enhance security.

2. CDF Transforms Education and Saves Futures at Siavonga STEM School
   Siavonga STEM Secondary School has reported a sharp drop in pupil dropouts after CDF began covering school fees for vulnerable learners, with Deputy Headteacher Peter Mwandia confirming that many children who had left due to unpaid fees are now back in class. This is precisely what we mean when we say CDF has "brought life to the education sector" — it is keeping our young people in school and safeguarding their futures.

3. U.S. Invests $5.8 Million in Zambia's Peacekeeping Excellence
   The United States government has handed over $5.8 million worth of infrastructure to the Zambia Army at the Kenneth Kaunda Peacekeeping Training Centre in Chongwe District, including a multi-purpose hall, 400-capacity dining hall, storage facilities, outdoor classrooms, four warehouses, an engagement skills trainer and renewable energy facilities. U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Mich Coker praised Zambian peacekeepers as "professional, dedicated and respectful," noting that Zambia has become a leader in global peacekeeping. Ministry of Defence Permanent Secretary Maambo Haamaundu received the infrastructure, which will help prepare ZAMBATT XII troops deploying soon to the Central African Republic.

4. President Hichilema Rallies UPND for Unity Ahead of August 13 Elections
   President Hakainde Hichilema has called on UPND officials and adopted candidates in both Luapula and Copperbelt provinces to unite and campaign vigorously for all party candidates ahead of the August 13 elections. Addressing interactive meetings in Mansa and Kitwe, he emphasised that winning is essential to consolidate gains in free education, students' meal allowances, increased CDF, Social Cash Transfer, and the School Feeding Programme. On the Copperbelt, he warned that "if we don't win this election, we are going back to thuggery," while in Luapula he urged members to uphold "love, unity, and tolerance" and ended with a message in Bemba: "Mwebana Luapula, natubombele capamo to develop our country!"

5. CDF Empowerment Scales Up: Lusaka Central and Lukulu Disburse Millions
   Lusaka Central Constituency has held financial literacy training for 95 grant beneficiaries who will each receive over K30,000 from a K2.7 million allocation, with training covering budgeting, record keeping, business management, savings and investment. Separately, Lukulu Town Council has disbursed K2.7 million in CDF Youth, Women and Community Empowerment Grants to 259 clubs and cooperatives, bringing total beneficiaries since 2022 to 844 groups and impacting over 2,590 people through income-generating projects.

Other Notable Stories

Governance & Local Development:

• Luanshya Municipal Council reports that local contractors have improved their capacity to deliver timely, quality CDF projects, with Town Clerk Collins Ndilema leading progress checks in remote and isolated urban areas of the mining town.

Infrastructure:

• Kabwata Constituency is nearing completion on paving of selected feeder roads under 2026 CDF, including Sandulula Highland Road, Heart of Jesus Road in Libala Ward 7, Lositu Road in Kamwala Ward 5, Touchie Road in Kamulanga Ward 9, 6th Street and 11th Street in Kabwata Ward 6.

Sport:

• Zambia Athletics president Major Bernard Bwalya has hailed the successful hosting of the 26th Intercompany Relay, which brought together companies and institutions for fitness, teamwork and corporate wellness through athletics.

Football:

• Nkana FC has confirmed Elijah Tana as head coach, with Josphat Nkhoma as first assistant and Donashano Malama as second assistant, after Tana secured the club's Super League survival following his March appointment as interim coach.

Road Safety:

• Ten people died and five were injured in separate road traffic accidents across Zambia on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with police spokesperson Godfrey Chilabi reporting incidents in Eastern, Copperbelt, Central, Lusaka and Southern provinces. Causes included speeding by Frank Phiri, 34, in Chipata; improper overtaking by Harry Hamand Matanga, 32, of Tanzania, in Mkushi; and improper overtaking in a head-on collision between two Volvo trucks in Chongwe that killed three people.

Key Takeaways & Watchpoints

• The August 13 elections are now the dominant political horizon, with the President personally mobilising party structures across multiple provinces — expect intensified campaign activity and watch for how opposition parties respond to the UPND's unity messaging.

• CDF implementation is accelerating nationwide with 2026 funds already flowing to roads, solar installations, education bursaries, health posts and small business grants; citizens should monitor whether disbursement keeps pace with announced projects and whether quality standards hold as volumes increase.

• Zambia's peacekeeping reputation continues to attract significant international investment in training infrastructure; the KKPTC expansion positions our nation to host more pre-deployment training for regional contingents, potentially deepening defence cooperation partnerships with the U.S., Britain and France.