United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) Chairperson and prominent lawyer Sakwiba Sikota has sharply criticized the UPND administration for proceeding with proposed constitutional amendments, arguing that the process lacks consensus and risks deepening political division.
In a strongly worded statement, Sikota questioned why the government was seemingly moving forward with reforms despite broad-based opposition from stakeholders, including members of the legal fraternity, civil society, and political groups.
“The majority of stakeholders have objected to these constitutional amendments,” said Sikota. “So how can the government still be in dreamland, pushing ahead as though the people are in agreement?”
“Only Five Percent Support”
Citing informal assessments and public sentiment, Sikota claimed that only around five percent of Zambia’s population supports the proposed amendments—a figure he says should serve as a wake-up call for the ruling party.
While the government has yet to release official data on public support for the constitutional review process, Sikota emphasized that meaningful constitutional change must be inclusive, transparent, and supported by the people it aims to serve.
Response to Attorney General’s Remarks
Sikota was responding to Attorney General Mulilo Kabesha’s recent comments defending the amendment process. Kabesha stated that there was nothing wrong with passing a law and amending it shortly thereafter, if necessary.
But Sikota dismissed the notion, saying such a casual approach to constitutional change undermines democratic governance and public trust.
“The very fact that people are resisting, including lawyers like he said, is indisputable evidence that these are contentious issues,” Sikota argued. “If they were not contentious, nobody would be resisting.”
Questioning Legitimacy of the Process
Sikota went further to question who exactly had labeled the proposed changes as ‘non-contentious’. He stated that no credible national consensus had been reached and warned that pushing through amendments under the current climate could backfire politically.
“Who has identified these as being non-contentious issues? Nobody. This is being imposed, not agreed upon,” he said.
The constitutional amendment debate in Zambia has intensified in recent months, with critics pointing to concerns around executive overreach, electoral reforms, and the weakening of institutional checks and balances.
Growing Public and Political Pushback
The UKA Chairperson’s comments come amid growing skepticism from opposition leaders, lawyers’ associations, and civic groups, many of whom have called for a halt to the process until broader consensus is reached.
Several advocacy organizations have urged the government to prioritize national dialogue and transparency, arguing that reforms of such magnitude must be done with full public participation, not rushed through Parliament.
A Call for Responsible Governance
Sikota urged the Attorney General and the UPND leadership to “do things properly”, stressing that constitutional reform is not a partisan project, but a foundational process that requires unity, care, and long-term vision.
As debate continues to escalate, all eyes are now on whether the UPND government will heed the growing calls for consultation and restraint, or whether it will push forward with its legislative agenda in the face of intensifying opposition.