It’s UPND being rejected, not their bills, says Sichinga

By BARNABAS ZULU

THE continued rejection of various proposed bills by various stakeholders is not merely a rejection of the government’s proposed pieces of legislation but is a clear indication of Zambians’ distrust against President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership, Bob Sichinga has said.
Mr Sichinga, the former Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister is accusing President Hichilema of using legislative changes to advance his own business interests and that it has been clear that Zambians are rejecting his scheme to use the law to impose his personal agenda and interests.
Stakeholders, including the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA), the civil society organisations, the church and Zambians in general have in the last few weeks roundly rejected government’s proposed bills such as Bill 7 the Lands and Deeds Registry (Amendment) Bill 13 of 2025 and the NGO Bill.
“It’s a one-man show, no wonder the bills are being rejected. What is going on reflects the fact that we have a president who is self-centred. He wants to do things to suit his business circumstances. It’s not about national interest,” Mr Sichinga said in an interview.
He questioned the process by which the bills were being introduced in Parliament, suggesting that they were pushed forward without adequate consultation.
“How can the bill come to Parliament without sufficient consultation in the first reading? It means it was drafted in the interest of the person who was initiating it – in this case, the president,” Mr Sichinga stated.
Mr Sichinga claimed President Hichilema was cherry-picking elements from the UPND manifesto that were aligned with his private interests.
“He is initiating these bills. He is picking information, here and there, in their manifesto and says, ‘This is what I want.’ He says this is what I want because it serves his business interest,” he said.
Mr Sichinga also referenced criticism from professional bodies such as the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA), who he said have condemned the bills for their serious financial implications.
“The Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants have condemned Bill 7 because what happens in Parliament is that after the bill passes first reading, it goes to committee stage,” he explained. “The committee of Parliament comprises both members of the ruling party and the opposition. Now when witnesses come, it is recorded publicly that even Members of Parliament belonging to the UPND cannot manipulate it.”
“They can’t arrive at any other conclusion if the Parliament staff says this is what the people are saying,” he said.
Mr Sichinga attributed the failure of the bills to what he described as the President’s ego and refusal to engage in proper consultation.
“The bills are failing because of one person – because of his ego. He wants to push his way out, and the people at the Ministry of Justice drafting it simply have to comply without even questioning it.