Democratic Union President Ackim Antony Njobvu has commended President Hakainde Hichilema for declining to assent to the Public Gatherings Bill, describing the decision as a win for democracy.
According to media reports, President Hichilema rejected the Bill saying it was undemocratic and “against public interest”.
News Diggers reports that Parliament sources said President Hichilema returned the Bill to the National Assembly citing reservations.
The Bill was among several pieces of legislation passed by the National Assembly during the final days of its last sitting.
It proposed that any person intending to hold a public gathering must notify police at least five days before the event and obtain clearance.
The Bill defined a “public gathering” as an assembly, meeting, procession or demonstration involving three or more people in a public place. It further defined a “public place” to include any highway, market place, square, road, street, bridge, building or other area lawfully used by the public.
Zambians from all walks of life expressed concern over the Bill, with critics and civil society organizations warning it would be more restrictive than the Public Order Act and “disastrous for democracy”.
Meanwhile, Njobvu has since called on government to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and ensure any future legislation protects, rather than restricts, citizens’ ability to gather peacefully.
The 2026 Presidential candidate has further called for a level playing field during the campaign period, adding that UPND should prove its popularity by allowing competitors assemble freely ahead of the 13th August general elections.
Njobvu said this in an interview in Lusaka.
