You're in the middle. This way.
Hallelujah. We are still here at the National Heroes Stadium. Just to give you a picture of how things will unfold here with regards to the inauguration ceremony, it is expected that when the president-elect arrives, there will be an introductory statement by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Patrick Kangwa. Thereafter, there will be what is referred to as a judicial procession and a proclamation will be made by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, and then administration of the oath of President by the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice is expected to invite the president-elect to take position to be sworn in and will be sworn in immediately thereafter.
The swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia then commences. The Chief Justice administers the oath of President to swear in the President of the Republic of Zambia. Then for the Vice President-elect, there will be a proclamation as well by the Chief Registrar of the Judiciary and administration of the oath of Vice President by the Chief Justice. Then the Chief Justice is expected to invite the Vice President-elect to take position to be sworn in, and immediately thereafter that shall be done. This will mark the swearing-in ceremony of the Vice President-elect of the Republic of Zambia.
The Chief Justice then administers the oath of allegiance of the Vice President, the oath of allegiance of the President, and oath of allegiance of the Vice President to swear in the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia. So that is what is expected at this inauguration ceremony. Right now we await the arrival of the president-elect, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema. He is the man of the moment. He is taking up his second term of office after being overwhelmingly voted in by the citizens of the Republic of Zambia. So we await that moment, and it should be not too long from now. Franklin.
Well, that's certainly true. The fact that we have seen the Vice President-elect enter the fully packed National Heroes Stadium is an indicator of how not too far off the president-elect is, and more because the service chiefs have also taken their positions. In a matter of minutes, you should be able to see pictures of the president-elect making way into the stadium.
I can confirm to you that there is some movement.
I would now like to invite...
That very moment of jubilation and euphoria is just about to happen—the main moment of this occasion that has brought thousands into the 60,000 capacity National Heroes Stadium, which has a very iconic stature following its construction in 2014. Before that, just confirming to you the arrivals. Looks like Zimbabwe... it is clearly a reflection of the support that heads of state and government from the region and beyond are giving to president-elect Mr. Hakainde Hichilema in a very...
Announcing, ladies and gentlemen, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
So much has happened since 1964, like was alluded to much earlier by my colleague, and it was happening at the then iconic Independence Stadium.
May I now invite us all to stand. May we all stand where we are for the Chief Justice procession.
...as well as for the visiting head of state, Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe.
...that makes way to support the president-elect Mr. Hakainde Hichilema on his second term, the re-inauguration of Zambia's seventh president, who is yet to arrive, but not too far from doing that, we want to believe. You have heard the procedure and what will happen as given to you by Chitalu. That's the order of events that leads to the president being sworn in by the Chief Justice eventually. That is what gives the whole presidency legitimacy—a practice that the country has anchored on from the time of independence.
Of course, there was that transition going back to multi-party democracy in 1991 after the one-party rule by the United National Independence Party. From 1991, it's been transitions that have followed all the tenets of what makes up a democratic dispensation. Zambia is celebrated for holding steadfast to the concept model of Africa and many parts of the world. An enthusiastic crowd awaits, and you can expect some roaring in the National Heroes Stadium, reminiscent of what happened in 2021 when President Hakainde Hichilema took over after being elected as Zambia's seventh republican president.
Do stand by because, as you can see in the picture, the arrival of the president-elect. Pretty sure if only he had an idea—which he will very shortly because he will feel it—of the anxiety that has gripped the National Heroes Stadium, which is colorful, well decorated, and just ready for the occasion. So much preparation has gone into this: witnessing a 21-gun salute, a military parade which includes a flypast. It's a lot of mind-settling programs that have been put together as Zambia embarks on another journey of economic and social emancipation for many a Zambian who is looking for prosperity, looking for returns on investments, looking to make the most of the yields that come from what God has endowed this nation: the wealth, the environment, the weather, the people themselves, the hard work, and now a president who steers that agenda as he drives in—or should I put it more aptly, as he is driven into the National Heroes Stadium that enthusiastically awaits. Enjoy this atmosphere.
...a slogan that was spiced with a lot of salt. Sana, which has become commonplace among the UPND supporters who went with the slogan, and it had this effect and other supporting messages that saw President Hakainde Hichilema be re-elected to take the journey forward for the nation. To say that National Heroes Stadium has been painted red...
...for the presidential salute...
...and I must say, Franklin, I will not pretend...
The First Lady looks amazing. She is dressed in—from where I am, it looks like white and fuchsia—next to the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia. She has been a pillar for the President in his good time.
The President-elect of the Republic of Zambia will recall that on his sixth attempt, the President got the presidency, as it were. It didn't come on a silver platter; a lot of hard work.
May I request, our distinguished gentlemen, that you have Mr... Please, dear husband, who now walks... You cannot stand in front of the parade. It is a sacred... Can you please acknowledge all those that have come in to the...
He said it will call for national unity. This is a country that is premised on democracy where divergent views are allowed by the constitution and its tenets. The President will call for unity of purpose. He will call for toning down, for lowering the temperature, and for paying attention to what lies ahead. That will be the work that remains for ordinary Zambians to feel the benefits of economic development, as it were. The primary work has been done. There's debt restructuring, there's a bit of freedom in as far as the fiscal space is concerned, there's a priority procedure as the process gets underway.
Stand up. It is my honor to invite the president-elect to get into the dome where the seat is. We shall remain standing for the opening when the President joins Their Excellencies in the main dome. Your Excellency, Mr. President, sir, we shall remain upstanding for the opening prayer, which will be led by the Chaplain, Brigadier General Reverend Dr. Shadreck Mwale, Director General Religious and Moral Services, Zambia Army.
Your Excellency, Mr. President, Your Excellencies, visiting heads of state. Scripture reading: "In their hearts people plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." Shall we pray? Lord, we thank You for this inauguration ceremony of the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and the Vice President-elect, Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango. We pray that God, You will keep them with grace, wisdom, and knowledge to lead the people of Zambia. Like a potter, mold them to be instruments of Your peace.
Establish their plans and guide them step by step as they lead Your people. We also thank You for all the elected members of parliament, the mayors, council chairpersons, local government councillors. We speak and command a blessing upon the incoming cabinet, government officials, and all support staff of the President and the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia. This morning, we commit this occasion of the inauguration ceremony into Your divine hands. Bless the President and Vice President as they take oaths. Bless all the distinguished heads of state and government, including all the people of Zambia as they witness this ceremony. Lord, we ask You to allow Your Holy Spirit to overshadow this ceremony from beginning until the end, for we make this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Your Excellencies, Mr. President, we may take our seats. Your Royal Highnesses present, the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and the First Lady, Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema; Your Excellencies, heads of state and government; Your Excellencies, representatives of heads of state and government; Your Honor, the Vice President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, Member of Parliament, and the Second Gentleman, Bishop Dr. Max Nalumango; former Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zambia; former First Ladies of the Republic of Zambia; the Honorable Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, State Counsel, Chief Justice; State Counsel, Member of Parliament, Speaker of the National Assembly; My Lords and Ladyships, Judges of the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court; the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis, State Counsel; the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Patrick K. Kangwa; the service chiefs; 2026 aspiring opposition presidential candidates present; members of the UPND Alliance Council of Presidents; members of the UPND National Management Committee; members of parliament-elect; Your Worship, the Mayor-elect of the City of Lusaka; invited mayors-elect and council chairpersons-elect; leaders of political parties present; local and international election observers present; permanent secretaries; senior government officials; members of the diplomatic corps; the Acting District Commissioner for Lusaka; representatives of church mother bodies; members of the clergy; members of the press; distinguished invited guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Welcome to the inaugural ceremony of the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and Vice President-elect, Her Honor Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, on this day of Tuesday, 1st September 2026, here at the National Heroes Stadium, Lusaka. Your Excellencies, Mr. President, immediately after these remarks, I will invite the Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr. Patrick Kangwa, for the introductory statement, after which he shall invite the Chief Justice. The Registrar of the Judiciary will make citations before the inaugural sessions to proceed with the Chief Justice taking his position to guide during this auspicious occasion. I am Brigadier General Reverend Dr. Henry Matale, working in conjunction with Ms. Namakau. Secretary to the Cabinet, sir.
Your Royal Highnesses; the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and the First Lady, Mrs. Mutinta Hichilema; Your Excellencies, heads of state and government; Your Excellencies, representatives of heads of state and government; Your Honor, the Vice President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. W.K. Mutale Nalumango, MP; former Vice Presidents of the Republic of Zambia; former First Ladies of the Republic of Zambia; the Honorable Justice Dr. Mumba Malila, SC, Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia; the Honorable Mrs. Nelly B.K. Mutti, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly; My Lords and Ladyships, Judges of the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, Court of Appeal, and High Court; the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Zambia, Mrs. Mwangala Zaloumis, SC; and allow me, Your Excellencies, to ride on the other protocols established.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, I warmly welcome Your Excellencies and distinguished guests to this historic national occasion. We are gathered here today in solemnity and celebration to witness the inauguration of the president-elect, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, and the vice president-elect, Mrs. Mutale Nalumango. This momentous occasion belongs to the Zambian people.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, on 13th August 2026, we braved the cold to elect our leaders. Zambians through the ballot have been emphatic. Zambians have voted for continuity. Zambians have voted for national unity. Zambians have voted for national development and prosperity. Zambians chose to return Mr. Hakainde Hichilema as President and subsequently Mrs. Mutale Nalumango as Vice President. It is therefore only appropriate for us to extend our hearty congratulations to the president-elect and the vice president-elect on the victory.
The government also wishes to extend our congratulations to all our elected political leaders. We also thank all the citizens that participated in the last general elections at all levels: presidential, parliamentary, and local government. Your participation is a testament of our growing democracy.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, this inauguration ceremony derives its authority from our constitution. Under Article 104, the president-elect is sworn into and assumes office in accordance with Article 105. The constitution further provides that the president-elect assumes office after being sworn in by the Chief Justice or, in the absence of the Chief Justice, the Deputy Chief Justice under Section 16 of the Transitional Period and Inauguration of President Act No. 32 of 2016. The handover of the instruments of power and authority between the outgoing and incoming president does not apply in the event where the incumbent has been re-elected into office.
Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to express gratitude and appreciation to the members of the Transitional and Inauguration Committee that have worked over the last 60 days to put this inauguration together. This appreciation extends to all who worked with the committees. Thank you all for your work. Your Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, at this defining moment, it is my distinct honor to call upon His Lordship, the Honorable Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia.
...by the President-elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Sammy Hichilema, to step forward and take the oath of office. Mr. President-elect, please.
Thank you very much. Thank you very much. I, Hakainde Sammy Hichilema, having been constitutionally re-elected to the office of President of the Republic of Zambia, do swear that I will faithfully and diligently discharge my duties and perform my functions in this high office; that I will uphold, support, and maintain the constitution and the laws of Zambia; and that I will dedicate my abilities to the service and welfare of the people of Zambia without fear, favor, or ill will. So help me God.
The President is now signing the oath of office after being sworn in. The President, Mr. Hakainde Sammy Hichilema. The oath of office is a solemn declaration and commitment by the President to faithfully perform the duties of the office, uphold and defend the constitution, and serve the people and the Republic of Zambia. By signing the oath of office, the President, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, formally assumes the office of President of the Republic of Zambia for another five-year term. This marks the beginning of the President's new mandate, a renewed commitment to serve the Zambian people, uphold the constitution, protect the sovereignty of the republic, and advance the nation's development, unity, peace, and prosperity. Here's to five years of equal benefits and opportunities. Thank you.
An election to the office of President was held on 13th August 2026 pursuant to Articles 41, 101, and 110 of the Constitution of Zambia. And whereas Her Honor Mutale Nalumango was, in the said election, the running mate to the presidential candidate, His Excellency Sammy Hakainde Hichilema, and whereas Her Honor Mutale Nalumango was duly re-elected together with His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Sammy Hichilema as Vice President of the Republic of Zambia, now therefore, I request the Honorable the Chief Justice of the Republic of Zambia, Dr. Mumba Malila, to invite the Vice President to the podium. My Lord.
It is now my honor and privilege to invite the Honorable Mutale W.K. Nalumango, Vice President-elect, to swear the oath of allegiance as well as the oath of office. Please raise the Bible in your right hand.
