By Francis Chipalo
The Movement for Good Governance has called on young people to stand up and take charge of the country’s affairs.
And the movement has described the recently enacted and “contraversial” Cyber law as a move to deter citizens from expressing their views.
Speaking during a media briefing, Sunday morning, Movement for Good Governance founder Binwell Mpundu says young people are the architects of Zambia’s future.
Mpundu says it is unfortunate that young people have recently been used by politicians with selfish interests.
The outspoken politician says it is time for the youth to arise and take charge of running the affairs of the nation.
He explained that the formation of the group is for the purpose of young people to enable them express their views on Zambia’s governance matters.
“The time has come for them to take charge of the affairs of this nation through the democratic process, but this to happen, we need to unite and create opportunities for them, and this platform has been created for youths with a common agenda,” Mpundu said.
And Mpundu further urged all youth – led organizations to join the movement, adding that if the current political status, which he described as “brutal” has to change, unity is key.
“There is no other way apart from us uniting, because if we do not do that, the UPND will injure us further. They will brutalize us like they have done by bringing in the Cyber law,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mpundu who is also Nkana member of parliament has alleged that the enactment of the Cyber law was meant to shut divergent views by the government.
“It is meant to gagge the youth who are frequent users in the cyber space. The intention of law was to curtail people’s freedoms of speech and expression,” he said.
The parliamentarian added that there can never be democracy in the absence of free speech.
Speaking at the same briefing, Democratic Union president Ackim Anthony Njobvu echoed Mpundu’e words.
The opposition leader has encouraged young people to exercise their powers as a united force.
“We are here to explore opportunities for collaborations with young people. They have the power and it is their time to take charge in 2026 by participating in the elections and bringing in one of theirs who has fresh ideas,” Njobvu said
And Njobvu claimed that Zambians were scared expressing their views of fear of being cited of breaching the cyber law.
“It is sad that ambassadors accredited to Zambia are the ones speaking about it the wrongs happening in the country when it should be citizens themselves who should be voicing out, but they are scared because of the cyber law,” Njobvu said.
Njobvu added that the country needs laws that will allow freedom of speech as opposed to those that seem to deter or hinder people from speaking freely on national affairs.
Meanwhile, Chasefu aspiring member of parliament Emmanuel Zgambo has expressed concern that the youth in the country are being intimidated.
The aspiring parliamenterian said the jailing of Lumezi member of parliament Munir Zulu, Mfuwe MP Maureen Mabonga and the case of Emmanuel Jay Jay Banda as demotivating to the youth.
“Despite all this, let us not be intimidated as young people to participate in the governance of our country. Let us stand up and support one another as young people, otherwise the biggest concern we have is the intimidation against the youth in participating in the political affairs of Zambia,” he added.